The Montana Academy of Dermatology was founded to address the growing need for specialized skin care in Montana. Over the years, it has evolved into a leading institution dedicated to advancing dermatological education, research, and patient care. With a commitment to excellence, the Academy brings together experts in the field to offer cutting-edge treatments and foster a deeper understanding of skin health in the region.
The Montana Academy of Dermatology (MAD) was founded on April 7th 1973, by William G. Ballinger, MD, from Helena, and W. James Dunlap, MD, from Missoula. The constitution of the Washington DC Dermatologic Society served as the template for the Montana Academy of Dermatology’s original constitution. Annual dues were initially $5 for the Montana Academy of Dermatology.
The first meeting of the Montana Academy of Dermatology was held in 1973. With so few dermatologists in the state of Montana, the original annual meeting was as much a forum for dermatologists in the state to meet and share cases as it was an opportunity to obtain continuing medical education (CME). Given the unique language that dermatologists speak, the Montana Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting provided an opportunity for the state’s dermatologists to meet with “like-minded” physicians and engage in friendship, mentorship and networking. The meeting has always been held in the winter in Big Sky to take advantage of the skiing and other winter activities in the area.
In September 1985, the first summer meeting of the Montana Academy of Dermatology was held in Yellowstone National Park. Subsequent summer meetings were held in Whitefish, Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, and were often joint meetings with various regional societies including the Utah Dermatology Society (Intermountain Dermatology Society).
Summer meetings occurred in addition to the winter meetings, and they continued until the early 1990s. This was a period that saw more dermatologists practicing in the state of Montana and easier access to online communication via email and CME via the internet. One reason for the summer meetings’ ending was the competition of the meeting with the short Montana summers and the memberships' priority for enjoying the outdoors.
Minutes from the 25 Feb 1990 Montana Academy of Dermatology business meeting mention “the summer meeting, August 17-19, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish, MT, with proposed speakers Hugh Greenway and Corky Bentz.”
In the 1990s, David Murdock, MD, and Bob Korenberg, MD, championed many issues related to scope of practice in the state of Montana. Both worked very closely with Dr. Toni Hood, President of the American Board of Medical Specialties. One such issue that was championed by Dr. Murdock was the ability for patients to self-refer to a dermatologist. He worked with Montana State Legislature to increase access. His efforts were recognized at the American Academy of Dermatology Meeting in San Francisco in 1994. The Montana Academy of Dermatology continues to advocate for patients in the state through legislative efforts with the Montana Medical Association and the Board of Medical Examiners.
The mid 90’s and early 2000’s saw several organizational changes. Initially, the spouse of the secretary/program director organized the meetings, but this changed when David Murdock became program director in 1994. His wife Sally took over the organizational tasks, leading to the creation of the Executive Director position, which she held until 2011. Her contributions were vital to the organization’s success during those years.
Annual dues increased to $100 in January 2002, and officer terms were officially extended to two years in 2004.
At the 2006 annual meeting, Dr. Ballinger and Dr. Dunlap were honored for founding the organization.
Around 2011, the Academy affiliated with the Billings Clinic CME department to streamline CME accreditation and administration of the annual meeting.
At a meeting in the late 1990s or early 2000s, the power went out at the meeting. Dr. Stephen Wolverton, author of the essential dermatology textbook Comprehensive Dermatologic Drug Therapy, proceeded to give his lecture, without slides, on the stairs at the conference center at Big Sky. It has been called the annual meeting’s “sermon on the mount” and has been fondly remembered as one of the best lectures given in the history of the educational program.
In 2018, David and Sally Murdock were honored for their tremendous contributions to the Montana Academy of Dermatology by the creation of the Murdock Lectureship of Medical Dermatology and Clinical Excellence, held since that time as the 5 pm lecture on the Saturday of each annual meeting.
David and Sally recognized the uniqueness of the annual meeting, noting that it was not just because of its location at Big Sky. It was not just about the skiing either. Nevertheless, it remains not uncommon for attendees to show up for the morning or afternoon sessions wearing their winter clothes, with ski boots on and helmet and googles at the ready. By limiting the number of attendees, the meeting always had a very intimate feel to it. It is family friendly. Year in and year out, everyone has gotten to know each other’s names and it is an event looked forward to each year by dermatologists throughout the state. Sally recalled that a speaker one year was the AAD President and she announced to us her opinion that the Big Sky Meeting “was the best small medical meeting in the country.”
Recent advocacy efforts include establishing tanning bed regulations and addressing scope of practice laws in Montana. Members of the Montana Academy of Dermatology are asked to serve as subject matter experts for legislation related to dermatology and healthcare in Montana.
A website for the Montana Academy of Dermatology will be unveiled at the 2025 Annual Meeting and will include a new logo for the organization.