INTRODUCTION
The recognition and development of leadership training within dermatology have taken on new importance in recent years within an increasingly complex health care landscape, particularly with a growing body of evidence showing that physician executives can influence safety, quality, and care delivery.1 In Spring 2023, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) announced the launch of the Health Care Administration, Leadership and Management (HALM) subspecialty, co-sponsored by the American Boards of Anesthesiology (ABA), Emergency Medicine (ABEM), Family Medicine (ABFM), and Preventative Medicine (ABPM). The American Board of Dermatology (ABD) thereafter announced that board-certified dermatologists would also be eligible to earn HALM subspecialty certification – with initial certification exams starting in late 2024.1 The first 2 HALM fellowships at Cleveland Clinic and Mount Sinai received Initial Accreditation in 2023.1 This represents an important opportunity for eligible dermatologists who are contemplating a career combining health care systems leadership with clinical dermatology to explore for their benefit as well as that of our specialty. The skills and credentials earned through HALM can be used to enhance career opportunities for individuals, such as those seeking to achieve executive positions in large practice groups and industry, while also fostering interprofessional partnerships between dermatologists and other specialties, provider groups, payers, biotech and pharma, and policymakers. This paper addresses the unique characteristics that prepare dermatologists to be health care leaders, the process and benefits of HALM certification, and other avenues for exploring health care leadership for dermatology trainees.
Dermatologists as Leaders in Health Care
Dermatologists are uniquely poised to integrate health care leadership and health systems approaches into clinical practice and to contribute to the larger direction of health care innovation and delivery. Dermatology offers broad exposure to diverse patient populations and care delivery settings; an individual dermatologist can treat patients across the lifespan from
Dermatologists as Leaders in Health Care
Dermatologists are uniquely poised to integrate health care leadership and health systems approaches into clinical practice and to contribute to the larger direction of health care innovation and delivery. Dermatology offers broad exposure to diverse patient populations and care delivery settings; an individual dermatologist can treat patients across the lifespan from
