NIAMS Deputy Director Robert H. Carter, M.D., was invited to join the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) President, Suzanne Olbricht, M.D., during several meetings with Congress members and their staff. The meetings, held on April 17, 2018, updated Congressional stakeholders on recent advances in dermatological science made possible through research supported by the NIAMS and NIH.

Drs. Olbricht and Carter met with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Representative Martha Roby (R-AL), Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI), as well as staff to Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME). During the meetings, Dr. Olbricht discussed the high burden of skin diseases, including the frequency of visits to physicians for skin complaints. In addition, she shared recent breakthroughs in the treatment of several common skin diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Dr. Carter highlighted how basic research supported by the NIAMS and NIH paved the way for these new therapies, and noted the dramatic improvements in disease management to help patients. He stressed that ongoing research is refining our knowledge of disease mechanisms and could allow future personalized medicine treatments.