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LEARNING Confessions of a “Middle-Aged”
CURVES

PDS Dermatologist attending the

24 World Congress of Dermatology 2019
th

By: Dr. Maria Juliet E. Macarayo,FPDS

he set was staged in Milano Congressi,
Milan, Italy, from June 10-15 2019.
TWith the theme “A New Era for Global
Dermatology” this year’s World Congress
of Dermatology (WCD) was hosted by the
Italian Society of Dermatology and Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (SIDeMaST) under
the auspices of the International League of
Dermatological Societies (ILDS).

As a backgrounder, the first large scale
international gathering of dermatologists took
place in Paris 1889. From then on, WCD has been
held on 23 occasions, and currently held every
4 years under the auspices of ILDS. Last was in
2015 in Vancouver, led by Dr. Jerry Shapiro.
The speakers of The Disorders of Pigmentation Session
For its 130th anniversary this 2019, it went back
to its European roots and was hosted in Milan asking – Is this for real? – the whole gamut of minutes. At some points, I was lucky but most
by the SIDeMaST, attended by participants from preparation for a 15-minute torture with world of the times, I ended up listening to one of my
the 180 global societies of ILDS, including about renowned speakers? But as my topic was under lesser choices.
160 Filipino delegates from the PDS alone. Led the subtitle of “The Challenges”, I think I literally
by WCD 2019 President Giovannie Pellacani, took this to heart – hence I finally, finally came Visiting the hundreds of exhibitors was not an
Secretary General Ketty Peris, Scientific Chair up with “Melasma and PIH: The Challenge in easy feat either. In my younger years, I would
Christopher Griffiths, ILDS President Harvey the Brown Skin Populace”. have followed the longest line, no matter how
Lui and SIDeMaST President Prof. Piergiacomo long it took, just for me to get their stock-sized
Calzavara-Pinton, this year’s congress focused Setting foot in Milan: sample products. But this time, and I guess
on major breakthroughs and advances in Then it dawned on me, I finally made it! I am getting old,I just took a glance at all the
dermatology, from clinical practice, research, long piles and smiled in wonder and hopped
technology and innovation. And as the media almost brainwashed me, on the least visited sites and chatted with their
I kept on lingering around and kept my representatives.
Joining the WCD 2019: belongings close to me. I cannot afford to lose
Planning to go to the WCD was not as easy as a anything, at this point in time! To my surprise, Being with friends made a lot of difference.
pie. The most important thing that kept me on there was no commotion of any kind, my trip I had constant company, no matter what.
pushing thru was the commitment I took when was flawless and seeing Milan in its morning Attending and listening to whatever lecture was
I accepted to be a speaker in the Session of glory, was worth the long preparation and long at hand was more worthy with my colleagues to
Disorders of Hyperpigmentation, chaired by our hours of flight! share thoughts with!
esteemed colleague Dr. Evangeline Handog.
The next thing I knew, I registered early in 2018, Being a part of 2019 WCD: My day of judgment came on the 3rd day of the
to avail of at least a hundred euro off. Registration was a breeze. But I did not realize congress. To find the “White Room 1”, all set
the rest will be tough. Why? Because of the in the remotest part of the venue, was already
Saving up was the next hardest thing: I had the so many grandiose lectures I wanted to listen a challenge, with so many stops to ask every
whole of 2018 to save up, in truth. And early this to, the so many booths I wanted to visit, the “ready-to-attack” congress guards. I arrived
year, all the pieces of the puzzle were slowly put so many colleagues I wanted to meet, greet well before the time, surprised to see a very
together. Search for an airline, accommodation and be with, and the so many places in Milan I full-packed venue! The interest was intense
for 8 days, validity of my passport, application wanted to see and visit! and the more I got stressed! With all the 8
for a Schengen Visa, travel insurance, looking speakers in the room, the session started. As
for wi-fi servers, airport transfers and finally, In my 8 days in Milan, one thing was real: It my turn came up, I prayed silently for guidance
buying euros for the rainy days. was a walking city. To go from one place to and delivered my 15-minute piece. I pulled it
another, even just within Milano Congressi, I thru luckily, without a hitch, and I said another
Coming up with a 15-minute lecture was had to walk and walk and walk! I had to be 20 prayer, this time, for gratitude. And a sigh of
actually the hardest thing: It almost took a minutes earlier than the time of the session or relief washed me all over! I was able to listen
lifetime, with so many turns and changes else, I will not be admitted due to a queue that in awe to all my co-speakers and appreciated
and with me gazing on the wall and seriously was a mile long and a wait that was over 30
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Volume 16 Number 63 • SKIN CONTACT August 2019 • p10