Building Bridges: Purposeful Networking, Collaboration, and Career Growth with Industry Relationships

At the 2025 ODAC Dermatology Conference, Dr. Adam Friedman, co-chair of ODAC, led an essential session for dermatology residents and early career dermatologists on “Building Bridges: Purposeful Networking, Collaboration, and Career Growth with Industry Relationships,” sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

Working with industry partners has become a crucial career pathway for dermatologists, whether through advisory board positions, research grants, or collaborative opportunities. Dr. Friedman’s session provided actionable strategies for:

• Understanding different industry contact roles and how to approach them effectively
• Landing initial partnerships with pharmaceutical and medical device companies
• Maintaining long-term professional relationships that benefit both parties
• Navigating ethical considerations when working with industry sponsors
• Handling situations when opportunities don’t materialize

This session exemplifies ODAC’s commitment to providing practical career development alongside clinical education. The panel featured both early-career and experienced dermatologists alongside industry professionals, offering diverse perspectives on building meaningful industry relationships.

Johnson & Johnson’s sponsorship of this session demonstrates how industry partners contribute to valuable educational content that directly benefits dermatology professionals’ career advancement.

This type of programming showcases why ODAC continues to be the premier dermatology conference for both clinical excellence and professional development, attracting top-tier sponsors who value meaningful engagement with the dermatology community.

Watch Dr. Friedman share best practices for maintaining long-term relationships and his personal ethics in working with companies. Plus hear his guidance on how to respond if you’re left out of an opportunity.