Welcome to the virtual press center for the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery (FSDDS). This area is regularly updated and serves as a resource for members of the media covering the field of dermatology and the issues affecting dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons in the Sunshine State.

Within the FSDDS press center, you will find the Society's newsletter, Florida DermNews, Society background information, industry facts, descriptions of prevalent skin conditions, skin cancer statistics, industry issue papers, press releases and other industry updates.

The FSDDS is committed to promoting the practice of dermatology and fostering quality patient care through public education programs and communication. Media representatives seeking to learn more about FSDDS should direct questions or inquiries to press@fsdds.org. Also, be sure to bookmark this site for future reference.

FSDDS Press Releases and Features

• Dermatologists Skeptical of New Study's Sunscreen Findings
• S.B. 430 Tanning Project Recap
• Red Flags Rule (delayed until December 2010)
• PQRI Fact Sheet
• CMS Fall 2009 Newsletter
• Governor Crist Signs SB 720 into Law
• Success for Florida Physicians: Governor Crist Signs SB 1122
• Costs of Dermatologic Drugs
• FSDDS Sponsors 2009 Sun Defense Essay Contest for Florida Elementary Schools
• "More Doctors Turning to the Business of Beauty"—New York Times

News You Can Use from the FSDDS

• Congress Delays Medicare Payment Cuts Again
  In June Congress again delayed a pending 21% Medicare physician payment cut and instead installed a modest one percent increase. However, the reprieve will expire in December, and a whopping 23% cut is expected if Congress does not fix the Sustainable Growth Rate formula or at least pass a new delay.
• Red Flag Rules Delayed Again
  The Federal Trade Commission has once again delayed the implementation date for the Red Flag Rules, which will require physicians to protect patient's financial and personal information in much the same manner as they do Protected Health Information under HIPAA. Contact the FSDDS Office for compliance materials available to FSDDS members.
• FSDDS Helps Pass Tattoo Bill
  Under a bill just signed into law by Governor Crist, tattoo artists will have to be licensed by the Department of Health and receive minimal training in such subjects as safety and infection control. The new rules should decrease the number of adverse consequences associated with unsanitary and untrained tattoo artists.
• FSDDS Helps Preserve Physician Supervision of Laser Hair Removal
  The FSDDS prevailed at the Board of Medicine during a hearing at which electrologists were attempting to remove the current requirement that a physician be present when an electrologists performs laser hair removal. The Board agreed with the FSDDS that safety and legal concerns warranted a continuation of the rule that a physician must be on-site when an electrologist performs such services.

FSDDS Press Kit

• 2010-2011 Board of Directors
• FSDDS Background
• Dermatology Background
• Quick Facts Dermatology Statistics
• Common Skin Conditions

FSDDS DermNews

Download the latest issue of Florida DermNews.

• Spring 2010
• Winter 2010
• Fall 2009
• Summer 2009
• Spring 2009
• Winter 2009
• Summer 2008
• Spring 2007

Industry Trends & Issues

• Dermatologist Shortage
• Skin Cancer Facts