Program Director Perspectives on DEI Initiatives in the Dermatology Residency Selection Process

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has maintained a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; however, a recent strike down of affirmative action by the US Supreme Court has caused similar efforts to be called into question. This prompted our investigation into dermatology program director (PD) perceptions of DEI programming and its integration into resident selection. A cross-sectional survey of PDs at US dermatology residency programs was conducted from April 2024 to July 2024 (N=30). Our results suggest strong support among PDs for advancing DEI in dermatology, although challenges such as legal restrictions and knowledge gaps persist. These findings underscore the importance of sustained efforts to foster a more diverse and inclusive dermatology workforce in alignment with the nation's demographics.