40th Annual Dermatology Nurses’ Association Convention
This year’s convention theme was “Focusing on the Future,” with expert faculty presenting on professional development/research, surgical/cutaneous oncology, medical/pediatric, and aesthetics topics and up to 18 contact hours possible for the main sessions. In addition, the Nurse Practitioner Forum provided up-to-date topics to meet the needs of advanced dermatology practitioners and up to 12 contact hours. Two post-convention workshops were also held: Dermatology Nursing Essentials and The Joan Shelk Fundamentals of Phototherapy.
Keynote speaker, Michelle Podlesni, RN, president of the National Nurses in Business Association and CEO of Bloom Service Group, LLC, kicked off the meeting by discussing the survival skills needed to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing workplace in her keynote “Designing Your Future in a Post-Pandemic World.” A diverse program was offered over the next 3 days, including “Providing Care for the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Patient,” “Dermatological Disorders in Skin of Color: Progress and Challenges,” “Leadership and Political Office: The Connection That Can Change Outcomes,” and “Implementing Stress Management and Self-Care for the Health Care Provider,” as well as sessions on hidradenitis suppurativa, psychocutaneous disorders, psoriasis, and more. One of the highlights of the convention was “Connecting the Dots: A Patient’s Journey With Cicatricial Pemphigoid,” during which attendees were able to better understand the physical and emotional impact on patients and families from an actual patient who has had cicatricial pemphigoid since 2007.
Each year, our planning committee strives to create a conference program that provides attendees with professional enrichment, focusing on relevant topics to help advance practice and leadership skills. The success of this year’s program demonstrates the DNA’s dedication to continually improving the sessions offered. The program planning committee is already at work planning the 41st Annual DNA convention, which will be held in Savanah, GA, on February 8–11, 2023, with the theme of “Becoming an Agent of Change.” Attendees will be challenged to participate in transformation by focusing on matters of organizational effectiveness, improvement, and development to meet the needs of our diverse members and by looking at different pathways for providing education and support to keep our patients safe and consistently deliver quality care.
Robin T. Inabinet is the president of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association in Southern Pines, NC.
