Previewing LEADDerm 2025, With Jennifer Soung, MD, and Shawn Allen, MD

Ahead of the 2025 LEADDerm Conference, founder Jennifer Soung, MD, and faculty advisor Shawn Allen, MD, joined HCPLive to share their vision for this unique meeting. Unlike traditional dermatology gatherings focused on treatments and clinical science, LEADDerm emphasizes leadership, personal development, and community building for physicians.

Soung explained that the meeting, which takes place September 5–7 in Newport Beach, California, was designed to address skills rarely taught in medical training—such as mentorship, diversity, and collaboration—that are vital for improving patient care and professional fulfillment. She highlighted this year’s theme of “Power and Partnership,” underscoring the value of mentorship, sponsorship, and allyship across clinical practice, academia, and industry.

leaAllen emphasized his passion for helping physicians grow from the “inside out,” pointing out that leadership development extends beyond the workplace to family and personal life. He described LEADDerm as a rare opportunity where physicians not only learn from experts but also engage in intimate, small-group discussions with faculty, fostering meaningful connections and practical takeaways.

This year’s agenda will feature leadership coaches, sessions on self-reflection, workshops on purpose-driven practice, and conversations about balancing personal and professional roles. Attendees can also expect fresh perspectives on entrepreneurship, social media presence, artificial intelligence in medicine, and physician financial wellness.

Both Soung and Allen stressed that the meeting’s intimate environment in Newport Beach allows for authentic conversations and vulnerability, creating a supportive atmosphere where physicians can share experiences and strategies for growth. For them, LEADDerm represents not just another medical meeting, but a chance for physicians to “level up” both professionally and personally.