Leadership Forum

Wednesday, July 22, 2026
1:00 - 4:30 pm
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis

SPD is offering Leadership Forum prior to this year's Annual Meeting. If you would like to attend, please sign up at time of Annual Meeting registration. This session is for current fellows and practicing pediatric dermatologists. There is no cost to attend, and space is limited. There will be no virtual attendance option, and the sessions will not be recorded.

Cultivate your leadership skills whether you are in the Early, Mid or Late Stage of your career.

Pediatric Dermatology remains a unique and close-knit specialty. Caring for patients and producing academic work has always been a strong focus of the organization. Our members have an increasing responsibility in leading divisions or departments in healthcare organizations, playing a role in private practice or private equity, serving on boards or committees of medical societies and journals, supervising fellowships and mentoring the next generation to care for skin diseases in children. We hope to provide our members with tools to become successful leaders at every stage of their career. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshop sessions that will include topics such as navigating critical conversations and conflict management, leading with impact, and negotiations.

• Enhance communication, teamwork, and leadership by identifying personal behavioral styles
• Identify personal values and how to prioritize them in the work place
• Engage in coaching conversations

Keynote Speaker - Dr. Cindy Firkins Smith

Dr. Cindy Firkins Smith is an innovative, influential, and inspirational leader within the field of medicine and dermatology. Her previous roles include acting as the Physician CEO of Carris Health, Past president of the Minnesota Medical Association and Minnesota Dermatological Society, and Chair of the Minnesota delegation to the American Medical Association. In her final leadership role at CentraCare, she served as Vice President of Medical Education, where she helped build the University of Minnesota Medical School campus in St. Cloud, Minnesota, designed to educate students committed to rural patients, address the shortage of rural physicians and create a legacy for rural health for generations. Dr. Firkins Smith will be talking about finding purpose, meaning, and passion in physician leadership.