Together we’re changing tomorrow, today.

For 60 years we’ve made possibilities into realities.

Advance discovery. Advance healing.

Stories from our community show how far we’ve come and how far we can go.

Dermatology is crucial to human health and life.

Together we’re supporting the research and education that’s needed today —  and tomorrow. 

The solution to every disease and condition in dermatology is out there, just waiting to be discovered.

Get Ready for Dermatology’s Premier CME Experience

The 2027 DF Clinical Symposium will be held January 27–30, 2027, at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Beach Resort. Join leading dermatology experts for timely clinical insights and practical perspectives you can take directly into practice.

Registration Dates

  • Early Registration for DF Members Only*: Open now through September 15, 2026
  • Early Registration for All: September 16–October 31, 2026
  • Standard Registration for All: November 1–December 15, 2026
  • Late Registration: After December 16, 2026

*Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email separately that includes a link and code to book your hotel accommodations.

See what’s ahead at the 24th annual DF Clinical Symposium. Explore this year’s program below.

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2027 DF Clinical Symposium - Save the Date

Introducing the 2026 DF Research Award Recipients!

The DF congratulates its 2026 research award recipients! The Foundation’s Medical and Scientific Committee reviewed many promising proposals and identified those which are most meritorious and impactful for the future of dermatology. We are pleased to support the work of these individuals.

View Our 2026 Award Recipients(opens in new tab)
"Misdiagnosis rates of PG can exceed 20%, posing major risks for clinical trials and research in the field." Dr. Alex Ortega (foreground) with a team of residents.
"Misdiagnosis rates of PG can exceed 20%, posing major risks for clinical trials and research in the field." Dr. Alex Ortega (foreground) with a team of residents.

Dermatology Focus™ - The Spring Edition

Transforming Diagnosis and Care of Patients with Pyoderma Gangrenosum

For Alex Ortega, MD, a medical school encounter with pemphigus foliaceus in Peru helped shape a career devoted to helping patients with complex, often overlooked skin disease. Now a professor and interim chair of dermatology at OHSU, Ortega is working to improve the diagnosis, measurement, and treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum, a painful and notoriously difficult inflammatory condition. Through clinical research, imaging innovation, and patient-centered care, he is helping move the field toward faster diagnosis, better trials, and more meaningful outcomes for patients.

Every practicing dermatologist—and their patients—benefit from new treatments unlocked by research.

Since 1964, the Dermatology Foundation has invested in groundbreaking research leading to new knowledge, treatments, and cures. In 2026, the Foundation continued its investment and awarded over $3.6 million in research funding. This accomplishment is made possible with the ongoing support of our dedicated members, corporate partners, and friends. Their generosity sustains this advancement of patient care.

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No dermatologist wants to be practicing the same medicine at the end of their career as they were at the beginning. The DF is critical to our collective future. It has continuously supported promising investigators who have brought us new knowledge and better tools.”

Janet A. Fairley, MD

President, Dermatology Foundation
Janet A. Fairley, M.D.
Janet A. Fairley, M.D.

The power of research and science fuels the future of dermatology.

Meet the Researchers

The Potential of Investigators is Infinite

The Dermatology Foundation invests in early and mid-career researchers with novel ideas and the potential to achieve scientific breakthroughs that lead to new treatments and cures. Our current award recipients are uncovering new knowledge about the topics below, which represent a sample of the Foundation's research portfolio. As science evolves, the potential for more breakthrough research in dermatology expands—and the DF is there to support each step forward.

There is no such thing as a small contribution; every action creates impact.

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