Steps for the Implementation of Virginia Dermatology Trainee Advocacy Day 2022: A State- Wide Conference for Healthcare Professionals and Medical Students to Increase Awareness and Advocate for Relevant Issues in Dermatology

Background: There are significant curricular deficits related to health policy and practical advocacy initiatives within undergraduate and graduate medical education. In 2022, the first annual Virginia Dermatology Trainee Advocacy Day (VADTAD) was held, with the goal of engaging medical trainees at all levels in practical health advocacy through a virtual, state-wide conference. Here, we outline the steps involved in the implementation of the VADTAD conference with the goal of providing a framework for other state societies to replicate similar advocacy education initiatives. Conference planning for VADTAD was carried out in six phases: initial planning, morning conference session curation, afternoon legislative session preparation, state proclamation development, conference logistics management, and research design. Initial planning involved assembling a conference planning committee, forming partnerships, and determining advocacy topics. Morning session planning involved speaker selection and advocacy materials creation. Afternoon legislative session preparation involved strategic selection of legislators and legislative meeting packet creation. With the conference agenda in mind, we submitted a proclamation declaring May 3rd, 2022 as Virginia Dermatology Advocacy Day, coordinated conference logistics, and considered research initiatives to share our process. Approximately 50 dermatologists and medical trainees attended VADTAD 2022 live. Participants learned about three specific policy issues related to dermatology and advocated for their respective bills with federal legislators. We intend for this presentation to serve as a guide for those wishing to design an advocacy day in dermatology, or any medical specialty, in their own state.