Skin of Color Society announces opposition to resolution eliminating AAD DEI programs

Key takeaways:

• The DEI resolution proposes that AAD remove and replace current DEI initiatives.
• The Skin of Color Society has released a statement rejecting the resolution.

SAN DIEGO ― The Skin of Color Society has released an official statement in opposition of the recently proposed resolution to eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the American Academy of Dermatology.

The resolution entitled, “Sunsetting All Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs” was introduced by Brian Raphael, MD, a dermatologist in East Syracuse, New York, and originally co-signed by 92 physicians. Published on the AAD member website on Feb. 15, the resolution proposes that the AAD dissolve the current DEI initiative, stating:

“Be it resolved that the AAD/A should remove the current DEI initiative; and be it further resolved that the AAD/A should adopt a more inclusive and unifying ideology in its place, one that genuinely promotes the end of racism and supports the equal treatment and respect of all individuals, especially within the health care system.”

The original resolution, AAD/A 001, now known as resolution ADD/A 003, cites antisemitism as a reason to dissolve the program.

“Since Oct. 7, there have been instances where the DEI movement has been perceived as being filled with antisemitism, weaponizing the concept against Jews by labeling them as ‘oppressors’ and allegedly justifying extreme hate speech and violence,” the resolution stated. “Judaism is a religion, culture and race that does not inherently fit within the DEI framework of oppressor and oppressed classes, and many Jews do not fit within the preconceived racial categories, challenging the binary system DEI promotes.”

The resolution also states that DEI programs have evolved and led to the “control of speech and the stifling of diversity of thought and professional conversations regarding difficult issues,” and goes on to say that the DEI, in its current form, “is seen to foster division rather than unity,” “hinder rather than help the diversity in our specialty” and “obstruct efforts to address and improve racism.”

Victoria Barbosa, MD, MPH, FAAD, 2024 to 2025 president of the Skin of Color Society, released a statement to Healio in response to the resolution, stating:

“The Skin of Color Society is dedicated to excellence in patient care for all people, which requires advancing health equity and addressing dermatological health disparities for people with Skin of Color. To that end, we embrace diversity, which brings together dermatologists from different backgrounds with different lived experiences and makes us stronger as an organization and as a profession. We support the inclusion of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, skin color, religion, country of origin, disability, age, socio-economic background, gender or sexual orientation. To that end, the Skin of Color Society affirms its unwavering support of DEI efforts in dermatology.”

“We firmly oppose antisemitism, islamophobia and all manifestations of marginalization, bias, prejudice and hatred. We advocate for the AAD’s efforts to recognize and combat antisemitism and Islamophobia within our profession. Furthermore, we reject Resolution 003, underscoring our commitment to DEI initiatives as essential strategies for overcoming health care disparities affecting patients with skin of color.”

The resolution has received much backlash since its publication, with many co-signers withdrawing their signatures as the AAD cited the most recent signature count to be 66, down from 92, in an email to Healio. In response to the backlash that this proposal has received, Raphael released a statement to Allure, stating:

“The original intent of the proposal was always to work with our colleagues and the AAD/A to adopt an even more inclusive policy, one that promotes the end of racism and hate speech — and supports the equal treatment and respect of all individuals, especially within the health care system.

“I regret this resolution was not received in the manner we intended, and therefore we are clarifying our position. We fully support AAD/A’s existing diversity programs that are focused on promoting inclusivity and creating opportunities for all groups. We are working with the AAD/A to arrive at a more inclusive policy that recognizes the horrifying rise of antisemitism and the need to protect against all forms of hate and discrimination.”

Introduced by three co-authors, Wendy Roberts, MD, FAAD, Jeanine Downie, MD, FAAD and Heidi Waldorf, MD, FAAD, a counter-resolution, AAD/A 004, was filed, stating that “the authors who are calling for the dismantling of DEI wrote an opinion piece with no evidence-based examples, case histories or any objective measurable items to support their claims that DEI is antisemitic.”

The resolution goes on to explain that AAD clearly states it is dedicated to ensuring quality medical care for all patients, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. The authors also discussed racial disparities in medicine, citing data from the U.S. 2022 Census and Association of American Medical Colleges 2022 statistics that show Black individuals and Hispanic individuals are 14.4% and 19% of the population, respectively, but represent 3.6% and 4.7% of the dermatology workforce. In comparison, white individuals make up 71% of the population and 66.7% of the dermatology workforce.

According to the resolution, removing AAD’s DEI programs would be “taking steps backward for unexplained reasons.” Therefore, the authors moved that the AAD does not “entertain or consider removing the current DEI initiative,” stating:

“The DEI initiative is an inclusive and unifying ideology which serves a population that by statistics have shown the need for intervention. That being said, it may be helpful for the DEI to spell out in its statement of intent that it is against any form of antisemitism, racism, anti-LGBTQ, anti-disabilities or any hate speech, language or policies that single out a group of people in a discriminatory fashion. We hope that the DEI mission continues to thrive past 2023 as it is achieving the intended mission. We believe that clear communication, consensus, and solidarity is important as we all march together as a unified specialty.”

On March 8 at the 2024 AAD Annual Meeting, the Advisory Board Reference Committee conducted a hearing to consider testimonies regarding the proposal to dissolve current DEI initiatives. Today, the AAD is holding an Advisory Board General Business Meeting where the committee’s recommendations will be presented, and the resolution will either be adopted or not adopted. If adopted, the proposal will be given to the Board of Directors to consider at a meeting in May.

References:

• Inside the DEI Battle in Dermatology. https://www.allure.com/story/american-academy-of-dermatology-dei-resolution. Published Feb. 29, 2024. Accessed Mar. 10, 2024.
• Resolution AAD/A 004 (A-24). Opposition to the resolution to dismantle/remove the current American Academy of Dermatology | Association (AAD/A) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Accessed Mar. 10, 2024.
• Resolution AAD/A 001 (A-24). Sunsetting all diversity equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Published Feb. 17, 2024. Accessed Mar. 10, 2024.