St. Louis dermatologist George J. Hruza, MD, MBA, FAAD, is set to begin his one-year term as president of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) at the conclusion of the 2019 AAD Annual Meeting in Washington.

“The health care landscape is evolving, and it’s important for dermatology to evolve with it,” Dr. Hruza says in a news release. “During my time as president, I will work to empower our members to view change as an opportunity and to inspire them to get involved in the Academy’s efforts on behalf of their specialty. If we work together and speak with a united voice, we can drive positive development.”

Dr. Hruza earned his medical degree from New York University, where he completed his dermatology residency. He also completed an internal medicine internship at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, a laser surgery fellowship at Harvard University in Boston and a Mohs surgery Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.

Dr. Hruza is an adjunct professor of dermatology at St. Louis University. He has written four laser dermatology textbooks and published more than 150 articles. He previously served the Academy as a member of the Board of Directors and chair of the Investments Committee. He also is a past president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society.