SCHAUMBURG, IL: The American Academy of Dermatology has picked a veteran of the Washington, DC public policy scene as its new associate executive director of communications.
SCHAUMBURG, IL: The American Academy of Dermatology has picked a
veteran of the Washington, DC public policy scene as its new associate
executive director of communications.
David Kohn, press secretary for Illinois Congressman John Porter for the
past 15 years, will begin work at the academy on January 12. In his new
post, he will oversee media planning and professional and public
relations activity.
Kohn said he accepted the position with the 11,000-member organization
because ’it offered an opportunity that was a wonderful match for my
background.’ Through his work for Porter - who chairs a House
appropriations subcommittee that oversees funding for healthcare
research - Kohn has been involved in national healthcare debate.
Kohn said the academy is hoping PR and communications will play a larger
role in its skin-disease awareness and prevention efforts. He pointed to
the group’s efforts in heightening skin cancer awareness as the type of
communications the academy wants to encourage.
The Illinois-based Kohn will be coordinating his communications efforts
with the academy’s DC office, which wants a greater role in the debate
on healthcare reform. ’We have to be at the table,’ Kohn said.
