2027 DF Clinical Symposium | January 27-30 | Naples, Florida

SAVE THE DATE

Get Ready for Another High-Impact CME Learning Experience

What You'll Learn—and Why it Matters

Mark your calendar for January 27–30, 2027, and plan to join us for the 24th annual DF Clinical Symposium—an essential CME experience designed for practicing dermatologists. 

Since 2003, the Dermatology Foundation’s Clinical Symposium has set the standard for excellence, bringing together leading experts to deliver timely, practical insights that translate directly into patient care. The program features dynamic, interactive sessions, meaningful opportunities for Q&A, and a distinguished faculty—including many former DF awardees—who continue to shape the future of dermatology. 

Registration Opens August 17, 2026 - September 15, 2026, for Dermatology Foundation Members. Members will receive a special registration link to gain early access to Clinical Symposium registration and hotel reservations. Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive a direct link to book your accommodations.

Program Co-Chairs

Dr. Yvonne E. Chiu, is Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics and Vice Chair of Pediatric Dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Medical Director of Dermatology at Children’s Wisconsin. She obtained a BA in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California Berkeley and an MD from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. She then completed her pediatrics internship, dermatology residency, and pediatric dermatology fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She is a leader in the field of pediatric autoimmune connective tissue disease, specifically morphea but also cutaneous lupus erythematosus and juvenile dermatomyositis. In addition to her research and clinical interests in pediatric connective tissue disease, Dr. Chiu enjoys caring for pediatric patients with complex dermatologic diseases. 

Throughout her career, Dr. Chiu has benefited directly and indirectly from the efforts of the Dermatology Foundation®. In addition to learning from DF awardees teaching at CME conferences or using research advances in clinic to treat patients, she was fortunate to receive the Fellowship in Pediatric Dermatology and the Pediatric Dermatology Career Development Award early in her career. She has been a member of the Dermatology Foundation® since 2011 and is passionate about supporting the organization as a member and volunteer. 

Yvonne Chiu, MD

Yvonne E. Chiu, MD*

 

Dr. Janet A. Fairley, completed medical school, residency training and a research fellowship at the University of Michigan. Dr. Fairley's interests include autoimmune skin diseases, complex medical dermatology, and skin and cutaneous manifestations of systemic illness. She has published over 140 articles and book chapters.

Dr. Fairley is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. Dr. Fairley is currently the President of the Dermatology Foundation. She is also an honorary member of the Société Française de Dermatologie and the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Medical Dermatology Society.

Janet A. Fairley, MD

 

Dr. Jack S. Resneck Jr. is the Chair and Bruce U. Wintroub Endowed Professor of Dermatology at UCSF, and holds a joint appointment as affiliated faculty at the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies. He served as Chair of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees from 2018-19 and as AMA President from 2022-23. Dr. Resneck is also now Chair of the World Medical Association, and recently led its inclusive, global 30-month process to revise and modernize the Declaration of Helsinki, the seminal document defining the ethical principles and protections governing medical research with human participants. 
 
Dr. Resneck is a passionate advocate for physicians and patients and a prominent spokesperson for thoughtful, well-tested healthcare innovation.  Whether testifying before Congress about removing healthcare dysfunction and burdens, advocating for improved patient access, or leading his department and caring for patients at UCSF, he channels his collaborative, inclusive leadership to improve the lives of patients and the working environment for America’s physicians to help build stronger, healthier communities. 
 
Former roles include serving as a member of the board of the American Academy of Dermatology, the board of the National Quality Forum, and as President of the California Society for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Active in health services research, his studies on patient access to care, health care delivery and economics, digital medicine, and public health have been published in prominent journals and attracted national media attention. 
 
Raised in Louisiana, Dr. Resneck received his BA in public policy from Brown University and his MD from UCSF—where he also completed his internship in internal medicine, residency in dermatology and fellowship in health policy. 

Jack S. Resneck Jr., MD*

2027 Faculty

* Former or current DF research awardee.

Dr. Murad Alam is the current President of the AAD and is Vice-Chair of Dermatology; Professor of Dermatology, Otolaryngology, and Surgery; Professor of Medical Social Sciences, and Chief of the Section of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Yale University, completed internship in internal medicine at the University of Michigan, and obtained residency training in dermatology at Columbia University. He subsequently pursued fellowship training in laser and cosmetic surgery in Boston, and in Mohs micrographic surgery, in Houston. After completing his Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) at Northwestern, he was awarded an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. An author of over 400 peer-reviewed scientific publications, Dr. Alam is Editor of Archives of Dermatological Research, the oldest dermatology journal in the world, founded in 1869 as Archiv für Dermatologie und Syphilis. He is also Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Associate Editor of Lasers in Medical Science, Associate Editor of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, and Assistant Editor of Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Murad Alam

Murad Alam, MD, MSCI, MBA, FAAD

 

Dr. Milan J. Anadkat is a Professor of Dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine. He is currently Vice Chair of Faculty Development for the Department of Medicine. He is also Vice Chief of Clinical Operations and Director of Clinical Trials for the Division of Dermatology. He was formerly Residency Program Director for Dermatology until 2020.

His clinical focus is complex medical dermatology, with a particular interest in oncodermatology and hidradenitis suppurativa.

Dr. Anadkat is currently Chair of the AAD Leadership Development Steering Committee. He was previously Deputy Editor for the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Case Reports. He has also served on the Board of Directors for multiple national Dermatologic Societies.

Milan J. Anadkat, MD

Milan J. Anadkat, MD

 

Dr. Lisa M. Arkin, is Director of Pediatric Dermatology, Associate Professor of Dermatology, and Co-Director of the Birthmarks and Vascular Anomalies Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Her clinical and research interests span pediatric autoimmune and autoinflammatory skin diseases—including lupus, dermatomyositis, and morphea—as well as vascular anomalies. Her work focuses on improving patient outcomes through rigorous clinical phenotyping, biomarker discovery, and multidisciplinary translational research.

Dr. Arkin has led collaborative efforts between pediatric dermatology and rheumatology to define disease natural history, identify predictors of disease progression, and develop validated outcome measures that support standardized, evidence-based care. Her work in pediatric discoid lupus has advanced understanding of progression to systemic lupus erythematosus and the influence of social determinants of health on disease activity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she collaborated with the NIH COVID Human Genome Effort to investigate virus-induced type I interferon responses in the skin.

Dr. Arkin is also an internationally recognized expert in the laser treatment of vascular anomalies and has lectured widely on the evidence-based management of pediatric vascular birthmarks. She is passionate about translating emerging research into practical clinical strategies that improve the care of children with complex skin disease.

Lisa M. Arkin, MD

Lisa M. Arkin, MD*

 

Dr. Jeffrey P. Callen, Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Lafayette G. Owen Endowed Chair of Dermatology, and Chief of the Division of Dermatology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, was born in Chicago, Illinois. His family moved to Evanston in the early 1950s, and he attended Evanston Township High School, graduating in 1965. He then attended the University of Wisconsin (1965–1968) and the University of Michigan Medical School (1968–1972). He completed residencies in internal medicine and dermatology at the University of Michigan (1975 and 1977, respectively). He is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine (1975) and the American Board of Dermatology (1977, 1999, 2009, 2019) and participates in the American Board of Dermatology's Maintenance of Certification program.

In 1977 Dr. Callen joined the faculty at the University of Louisville. He was the Residency program director from 1984-2016 and was appointed as Chief of the Division of Dermatology in 1988, a position that he still holds. On November 1, 2022, he was appointed as the first Lafayette G. Owen Endowed Chair of Dermatology.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Dermatology Foundation (1983-8), the American Academy of Dermatology (1994-8), Association of Professors of Dermatology (1996-9), the American Board of Dermatology, Inc. (2003-2011), the Medical Dermatology Society (2001-2005) and the American Dermatologic Association (2009-2013). He has been Vice-President of the AAD (2004-5), and ABD (2011). He has been the President of the Medical Dermatology Society (2006-8), Association of Professors of Dermatology (2016-2018) and the American Dermatological Association (2020-2021). He has served on the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s review committee (2017- 2022).

He was the Associate Editor of the JAMA Dermatology from 2004-2018 and continues to serve on its editorial board. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Dermatology Section of UpToDate. He is the Image Section Editor for VisualDx.

He is an honorary member of the following organizations: Honorary Corresponding Member, Pacific Dermatologic Association, 1987; Honorary Fellow, North American Clinical Dermatologic Society, April 2007; Medical Dermatology Society, February 2011; Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery – May 2012; and the American Academy of Dermatology, March 2013.

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

 

Dr. Sarah Jane Coates is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, where she specializes in pediatric dermatology and HIV dermatology. She serves as the Assistant Fellowship Director of the UCSF Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship and is actively involved in medical student, resident, and fellow education. She was an NIH Fogarty Global Health Fellow from 2019–2020, during which she studied novel approaches to diagnosing Kaposi sarcoma in resource-limited settings in East Africa.

Dr. Coates developed a deep interest in social drivers of health through her upbringing in a small town in West Texas and her global health work in East Africa. These experiences continue to shape her clinical practice, research, and educational efforts. Her scholarly interests include medical education, HIV-associated inflammatory and malignant skin diseases, pediatric dermatology, the influence of social and structural determinants on dermatologic health, and the effects of climate change on skin disease.

Dr. Coates is passionate about advancing equitable dermatologic care through education, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has developed educational curricula for learners at multiple levels and is committed to preparing the next generation of dermatologists to address health disparities through evidence-based, patient-centered care in both domestic and global settings.

Sarah Jane Coates, MD

Sarah Jane Coates, MD

 

Dr. M. Laurin Council completed medical school and residency training at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and a fellowship in minimally invasive aesthetic procedures/micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology (MSDO) at St. Louis University. She is Director of Dermatologic Surgery and the Program Director of the MSDO fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. Her clinical and research focus includes rare non-melanoma skin cancers, aesthetic injectables, and laser therapy.

She is a past member of the board of directors of the WDS and the ACMS, past president of the ASDS, and current member of the board of directors of the AAD. She is a past president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society, the Speaker of the Missouri State Medical Association, and an ASDS Association Delegate to the AMA. She serves on the editorial board of several dermatology journals including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. She is a past editor in chief of podcast Dialogues in Dermatology, has authored over 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and has edited 2 textbooks.

In her free time, she enjoys Cajun cooking, LSU football, and spending time with her husband, six children, and seven pets.

Laurin Council, MD, MBA, FAAD, FACMS

M. Laurin Council, MD, MBA, MA, FAAD, FACMS

 

Dr. Nada Elbuluk is a board-certified dermatologist and Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology. She is the Founding Director of the USC Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program and Research Fellowship. She also serves as the Founding Director of the Dermatology Culture and Engagement Program. She is the immediate past president of the Skin of Color Society President, board member of the Global Vitiligo Foundation, and a past board member of the Women’s Dermatological Society. She is also an active member of the American Dermatological Association, the National Medical Association, and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Elbuluk’s clinical and research interests include general medical and procedural dermatology, skin of color conditions, pigmentary disorders and health equity. She has lectured nationally and internationally on these topics amongst others. She has received numerous grants to support her research, which has been published in numerous academic and high impact peer-reviewed journals, and she has published two dozen book chapters. She is the co- author of the Taylor and Elbuluk Color Atlas and Synopsis for Skin of Color as well as a section editor for the 3rd edition of the Taylor and Kelly Skin of Color Textbook and the Review of Dermatology textbook. Dr. Elbuluk is also a recognized and respected media expert interviewed by hundreds of media outlets and has received numerous awards recognizing her work and contributions to dermatology.

Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD

Nada Elbuluk MD, MSc, FAAD

 

Dr. Dirk M. Elston is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston.   He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and has served as President of both the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.  He has been awarded China’s High-End Foreign Experts Program Award and serves on the Academic Committee of the Chinese National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases and the Global Diagnostic Consortium on Scabies.  He has served on the review committee for the Doctor of Medicine degree at Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University and has been awarded the titles of  Honorary Professor at China Medical University in Shenyang China, Honorary Professor Southern Medical University, Guangzhou China, Honorary Professor Fudan University, Shanghai China, Honorary Professor, West China Medical College, Sichuan University, Chengdu China, Guest Professor Central South University, Changsha, China, Visiting Professor, Peking University School of Medicine, Beijing, China and Adjunct Professor, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.  He is an honorary member of both the German and French Dermatological Societies and has received commendation from the International League of Dermatological Societies for his international work.

Dr. Elston is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, did his dermatology residency at Walter Reed Medical Center and a dermatopathology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic.  He is the author of over 781 peer reviewed publications and 78 textbook chapters.  He is the Associate Editor in Chief of eMedicine dermatology, is one of lead authors of Andrews Diseases of the Skin and Editor in Chief of the Requisites in Dermatology series of textbooks.  He received the 2020 American Academy of Dermatology Gold Medal and the 2023 American Academy of Dermatology Pearson Teaching Award, as well as the 2008 Walter Nickel Award for Excellence in Dermatopathology Education and the 2013 Founder’s Award of the American Society of Dermatopathology.  Other teaching awards include the UIC, Rush and Cook County Dermatology residents teaching award, St Luke’s-Roosevelt Volunteer Teacher of the Year Award, Brooke Army Medical Center Department of Medicine Outstanding Teacher Award, Brooke Army Medical Center Department of Pathology Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Darl Vanderplueg Excellence in Teaching Award.

Dirk M. Elston, MD

Dirk M. Elston, MD

 

Dr. Luis A. Garza is a Professor & Daniel Nathans Scholar at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Dermatology. He is a physician scientist who sees Dermatology patients and also conducts research on skin disease. His laboratory is interested in regenerative medicine, innate immunity and the disease Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Besides directing the Hidradenitis Suppurative clinic and conducting research, Dr. Garza is also committed to teaching and is the PI/PD of an NIH T32. Finally, he also works as the Vice-Chair of the department of Dermatology.

Luis Garza, MD, PhD

Luis A. Garza, MD, PhD*

 

Dr. Suneil K. Koliwad, PhD is an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes, obesity and other metabolic disorders and conditions linked to metabolism. He serves as chief of UCSF's endocrinology and metabolism division. Koliwad directs a research lab focused on the intersection of nutrition, inflammation and metabolic tissue function in healthy patients as compared with those with conditions such as obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease. Also examining how these factors change during aging, his lab studies a diverse group of UCSF obesity patients with the goal of finding links between metabolic regulation and development of these diseases. Koliwad holds the Gerold Grodsky, PhD Chair in Diabetes Research.

At Baylor College of Medicine, Koliwad earned a doctorate in molecular physiology and his medical degree, and completed a residency in internal medicine, serving as chief resident. At UCSF, he completed a fellowship in diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism. He then
completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Gladstone Institutes, a research nonprofit focused on finding treatments for various diseases.

Dr. Suneil K. Koliwad, MD, PhD

Suneil Koliwad, MD, PhD

 

Dr. Peter A. Lio, FAAD is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology & Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an adjunct Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Lio received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed his internship in Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, and his Dermatology training at Harvard where he served as Chief Resident in Dermatology. While at Harvard, he received formal training in acupuncture. Dr. Lio is the founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center and a founding partner of Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago. He served as a board member and scientific advisory committee member emeritus for the National Eczema Association. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology’s Atopic Dermatitis Expert Resource Group, a Councilor for the International Eczema Council, and is a founding faculty member of the Integrative Dermatology Certificate Program. He is also a founding member of the SKIN Angels advising and investing network. He has over 400 publications and 5 textbooks.

Peter A. Lio, MD

Peter A. Lio, MD, FAAD

 

Dr. Ginette A. Okoye, FAAD is Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Professor and Chair of Dermatology at Howard University College of Medicine. A nationally recognized dermatologist, educator, and academic leader, her clinical and research interests focus on hidradenitis suppurativa and advancing health equity in dermatologic care. She has authored more than 100 publications and is the editor of the textbook “The Fundamentals of Ethnic Hair: The Dermatologist’s Perspective”.

Dr. Okoye earned her bachelor’s degree from Barry University and her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her dermatology residency at Yale University.

Dr. Okoye has received numerous honors from the American Academy of Dermatology, including two Presidential Citations, a Volunteerism Award, the Patient Care Hero Award, and the 2023 William James Mentor of the Year Award.

Ginette A. Okoye, MD, FAAD

Ginette A. Okoye, MD, FAAD*

 

Dr. Misha Rosenbach is the endowed Paul R. Gross Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the Vice Chair of Education & Dermatology Residency Program Director, and has received numerous awards for teaching and mentorship, including Penn’s highest educational award, the Provost’s “Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching,” and internationally received the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Diseases (WASOG) “Om Sharma Lifetime Mentorship Award”. Dr. Rosenbach’s clinical practice and research is focused on the diagnosis and management of complex medical dermatology diseases, particularly cutaneous granulomatous diseases and neutrophilic diseases, and his work includes basic, translational, and clinical research. He has been recognized regionally and nationally as a ‘top doctor,’ and was inducted into Penn’s prestigious “Academy of Master Clinicians,” the highest clinical honor at Penn.  He has published more than 330 peer reviewed articles with an h-index of over 50, multiple chapters, and served as the editor for 7 textbooks, including Andrew’s Diseases of the Skin. He has held leadership roles in the Medical Dermatology Society, the American Academy of Dermatology, and within the field of sarcoidosis in both the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research and the American Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Diseases.

Misha Rosenbach, MD

Misha Rosenbach, MD*

 

Agenda

Program Accreditation and CME Hours

How to Obtain Your CME Transcript Designation Statement Accreditation Statement Disclosure Policy Educational Objectives
How to Obtain Your CME Transcript

The Yale CME office will make your transcript available online. Please look for instructions via email beginning February 12, 2027.

Designation Statement
Accreditation Statement
Disclosure Policy
Educational Objectives
Row rect Shape Decorative svg added to top

Hotel & Visitor Information

The Foundation is pleased to return to The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, for the 2027 DF Clinical Symposium. Set along three miles of Gulf shoreline, the resort offers world-class accommodations, dining, wellness experiences, and direct beach access.

You will receive a direct link to book your hotel accommodations once you register for the conference. 

Host Hotel

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples                Check-in: 4:00 p.m.
280 Vanderbilt Beach Rd                Check-out: 11:00 a.m.
Naples, Florida 34108

Naples, Florida.
Naples, Florida.

DF Recommended Options to Consider

Untitled design (49)

Ritz-Kids

Give your child a fun and enriching experience at Ritz Kids, an activity-filled program designed for learning, play, discovery, and hands-on adventures. Led by experienced staff, the program encourages creativity and exploration in a safe and engaging environment, allowing young guests to learn, connect, and have fun throughout their stay.

Explore Ritz-Kids(opens in new tab)
AdobeStock_472905777

Fine Dining

Extend your conference experience with Naples' exceptional culinary scene. Whether you're planning a family dinner, networking with colleagues, or enjoying an evening out, you'll find countless dining options just minutes from The Ritz-Carlton or on property. Explore local restaurants and start planning your itinerary.

Browse Restaurants(opens in new tab)
Naples-Trolley-sightseeing-tours-Naples-Florida

Tours & Experiences

Make the most of your time in Naples with unforgettable local experiences. From sunset cruises and eco-tours to cultural attractions and outdoor adventures, there's no shortage of ways to explore the area and create lasting memories beyond the Symposium.

Plan Your Adventure(opens in new tab)
Naples, Florida, USA - Local people and tourists shopping at street market in city center.

Shop Naples

Make the most of your time in Naples with unforgettable local experiences. From sunset cruises and eco-tours to cultural attractions and outdoor adventures, there's no shortage of ways to explore the area and create lasting memories beyond the Symposium.

Discover Local Finds(opens in new tab)
Ritz-Carlton Spa

Yoga and Sound Bath Experience

A meditative experience that uses sound waves to promote relaxation and well-being. Participants lie down and listen to resonant sounds produced by instruments like gongs, singing bowls, chimes, and tuning forks. The sounds are meant to envelop the listener, creating a relaxed state. DF group rate is $42.

Become a Sponsor & Exhibitor

The Dermatology Foundation® would like to invite your organization to showcase your commitment to advancing the dermatology specialty by becoming a sponsor at our signature upcoming event - 2027 DF Clinical Symposium, to be held on January 27-30, 2027.

With a range of novel sponsorship packages available, your company will gain unparalleled visibility and networking opportunities among more than 400 key dermatology opinion leaders and clinicians, in a beautiful and relaxed environment. Space is limited.

We look forward to seeing you in Naples, Florida for this unique medical education conference.

Contact Wanda Neal for more information at DFSymposia@dermatologyfoundation.org

Download the 2027 DFCS Exhibitor Prospectus(opens in new tab)

A Look Back at the 2026 DF Clinical Symposium

 

The 23rd DF Clinical Symposium returned to The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, from January 28–31, drawing a full house of dermatologists eager to learn from the field’s leading experts—many of them former DF research awardees. 

This premier CME experience once again delivered timely, authoritative insights on today’s most important dermatologic diseases and clinical challenges, reinforcing its reputation as a must-attend meeting for practicing dermatologists. 

View the full summary of the 2026 DF Clinical Symposium on Dermatology Focus(opens in new tab)

2026 DF Clinical Symposium Exhibitors

2026 DF Clinical Symposium Sponsors