*This story was updated on 10/3/2012.
The American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery has permanently disbanded, according to an announcement on its website.
In an open letter to members, ASCDAS president Ellen Marmur wrote, "This difficult decision was made after careful analysis of the current economic conditions and in the context of what the Society might accomplish for its membership and for dermatologic and aesthetic surgery."
The organization was founded in 2000 by a group of dermatologists that included Dr. Cherie M. Ditre. However, Dr. Ditre left the organization in 2007 after new leadership asked her and several other board members to step down, she told Skin & Allergy News.
In 2009, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the ASCDAS combined their annual meetings, citing among other reasons the down economy. Officials from both societies said at the time that holding the meetings together would make it more financially feasible for dermatologists to attend. Dr. Phil Werschler, ASCDAS president at the time, also noted that many dermatologists were members of both societies
The disbanding of the ASCDAS brings into question the fate of the group’s annual meeting, slated for Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Las Vegas.
*Dr. Joel Schlessinger, a past president of the ASCDAS, said that he was surprised that the society disbanded. He also said that it has caused confusion about whether Cosmetic Surgery Forum (Nov. 29-Dec. 1) is still being held in Las Vegas.
"I will still be having Cosmetic Surgery Forum this year at the Venetian/Palazzo. ... We have had quite a few vendors who were going to exhibit at the ASCDAS meeting who are now interested" in exhibiting at Cosmetic Surgery Forum, he said. Dr. Schlessinger also noted that his meeting has always been completely separate from the ASCDAS meeting that has been held around the same time in Las Vegas for the past 4 years.
The ASCDAS’s mission, according to a statement on the website, was in part "to promote the advancement of ethical aesthetic dermatology as a medical and surgical discipline."
The ASCDAS was one of several societies dedicated to cosmetic and aesthetic dermatology.
Calls to ASCDAS officials had not been returned as of press time.