For me, there are big shoes to fill following the successful presidency of Glenn Zellman. Dr. Zellman did an outstanding job this past year, with multiple accomplishments to his credit. First, the annual meeting was truly successful, with a total registration of more than 200 dermatologists. Glenn lined up a stellar faculty of nationally prominent speakers, who covered medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. The meeting took place at the historic Boca Resort and Club. For those of you who have not stayed at this property, it is a treat, and the society was able to arrange a very reasonable rate for those who attended the meeting.

The winners of the FSDDS Florida Sun Defense Essay Contest joined us for our annual meeting this year. Board member Kristin Smallwood spearheaded an essay contest for school children on the topic of sun protection. The response was outstanding: 124 schools participated, and four regional winners were selected. The winners' schools will receive a shade structure for their playgrounds while the winners themselves and their families were invited to the Boca resort to be honored during the annual meeting. This program could never have been so successfully completed without the tireless efforts of Dr. Smallwood. For this and her many other efforts on the part of Florida dermatologists, she received the annual Distinguished Service Award at this year's annual meeting.

Two new board members were elected during the meeting. Dr. Rob Hamill of Palm Harbor will be joining the board as will Dr. Susan Weinkle of Bradenton. These two new members bring a wealth of experience to the board, and we are lucky to have their participation. Also during the meeting, a new group of society officers was elected to active duty. Dr. Albert Nemeth of Clearwater is now president-elect, Dr. Doug Robins of Jacksonville is vice president and Dr. Kristin Smallwood of Cocoa Beach is secretary/treasurer.

The society has contracted with a new management company, Compass Management and Consulting of Jacksonville, whose staff members are available to help the membership in any way they can. Chris Nuland remains the society's legal counsel and, as always, is available to help the membership when the need arises.

Dermatologists still face some serious practice issues. Although the society successfully helped pass HB 699 regulating the supervision of non-dermatologist skin care practitioners, there is still a plethora of chiropractors, nurses, aestheticians and staff at medispas and beauty parlors practicing dermatology without the benefit of attending medical school or completing a residency in dermatology. Our most successful strategy in this area may be an effort to educate the public on who we are and what we do, and why a patient is best served when seen at the office of a board certified dermatologist.

The other issue facing us is the rather severe cut in Medicare scheduled for this July, with another cut planned for next January. By the time this note reaches you, it is hoped the scheduled cut of 10.6 percent to take effect in July will have been averted. However, there is another round of cuts scheduled for next January in excess of 10 percent. Societies like the FSDDS make a real difference in making physicians' voices heard. I look forward to working with the society's membership over the next year to address these important issues.