Dermatology Excellence Rises to a Crescendo in Music City

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Nashville, TN, a city known for its musical heritage and vibrant energy, will play host to the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) 21st Annual Fall Dermatology Conference at the Grand Hyatt Nashville, October 25–29, 2023. This event is designed to further your education, expand your network, and allow you time for rest and rejuvenation with colleagues. SDPA’s conferences deliver an immersive platform where dermatology PAs, nurse practitioners (NPs), and other health care professionals can come together to exchange insights, foster connections, and advance their professional journeys.

Diverse Learning Opportunities

From engaging lectures to interactive workshops, the SDPA conference offers a diverse range of educational sessions that cater to professionals at every stage of their career. Whether you are seeking fundamental knowledge or advanced insights, you will find tailored tracks that resonate with your expertise. SDPA’s thoughtful design presents introductory, advanced, and professional development tracks, ensuring relevance for all attendees. This conference’s tracks include a focus on cosmetics, case-based dermatology, pediatrics, skin of color, professional development, and lumps and bumps.

The fall conference offerings boast an array of enlightening lectures encompassing diverse topics. From discussions on psoriasis and cutaneous lymphoma to explorations of medical malpractice and vulvar dermatology, the lecture selection is comprehensive and aimed at what is clinically relevant for the dermatology practitioner. Guiding the curation of these educational offerings is SDPA Medical Director Heather W. Goff , MD, MPH, associate professor, department of dermatology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. “I am so excited to be a part of the conference and help bring speakers and experts from around the country to share relevant clinical practice tips for PAs that can help conference attendees in their daily work with patient care,” Dr Goff shared enthusiastically.

Joining her in contributing to the conference are other distinguished speakers. Kachiu Lee, MD, MPH, a private practitioner in the Philadelphia area and assistant professor of dermatology at Temple University, will illuminate the realm of chemical peels, while Kelly C. Nelson, MD, professor, department of dermatology, division of internal medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and associate medical director, department of dermatology, division of internal medicine, Melanoma and Skin Center, Houston, TX, will delve into the critical domain of melanoma outcomes and survival. The varied nature of these topics reflects the vast expanse of expertise within the field of dermatology.

Networking That Matters
Beyond the sessions, the conference offers numerous opportunities for networking and camaraderie. Connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and forge meaningful relationships that extend beyond the event. These connections have the potential to shape your professional journey in unforeseen ways.

A Unique Preconference Workshop
This year, SDPA is offering a unique preconference professional development workshop titled, “Beyond the Bedside—What Could Be Next for You?” This exclusive workshop, being held Wednesday, October 25, was developed for clinical PAs who believe professional development is an ongoing journey that often spans an individual’s entire working life. The course is spearheaded by SDPA President Laura Bush, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, and I, along with a panel of experts.

Faculty for the preconference event include Jane Mast, PhD, DMSc, PA-C, an SDPA past president who became medical affairs director at Novartis; Terry Arnold, PA-C, who serves as vice president of medical aff airs at DermTech; and Robert Higham, PA-C, another SDPA past president who works as the executive director of clinical development at Arcutis Biotherapeutics. These successful industry executives will engage in conversations with our intimate group of attendees. Other speakers include Hope Cook, PA-C, a practicing PA at Georgia Skin Center and Aesthetic Dermatology who has branched out professionally as a certified life coach and podcaster; Linda Garcia, senior vice president of NP/PA relations and marketing at Point of Care Network, LLC; and Peter Young, MPAS, PA-C, from Stanford University and Kaiser Permanente. This dynamic group will provide attendees with practical skills on public speaking, CV building, and scholarly writing.

SDPA aims to fi ll the knowledge gap about the advancement opportunities and professional development skills PAs need to transition into jobs outside of the clinic. If you are interested in expanding your professional experiences and knowledge to include tapping into opportunities beyond the clinic, consider adding this workshop to your fall conference registration.

Starting the Day With Purpose
Begin your conference experience with a burst of energy by participating in the Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) cycling event. DPAF, the philanthropic arm of the SDPA, empowers dermatology PAs in their patient care, education, mission work, and career advancement. Use this time to release any lingering travel stress from a delayed flight to Nashville. This invigorating DPAF fundraiser kicks off at 6 am, Friday, October 27, and sets the tone for a day of engagement, ensuring that you are primed to make the most of the enriching sessions ahead.

Boots Are Walking
Do not forget to pack your cowboy boots and blue jeans for the highly anticipated “Boots Are Walking Welcome Event” at the famous Wildhorse Saloon, Thursday, October 26. There is no need to pack a cowboy hat because we will distribute hats to the first 300 attendees who arrive! Anyone who has attended an SDPA conference can attest that our evening events are fun, exciting, and unforgettable. Get ready for a big-league party featuring line dancing, great music, and networking with your peers and industry representatives.

Celebrating Excellence
We will celebrate excellence Friday evening at the Musicians Hall of Fame Museum “Guitars and Stars: A VIP and Diplomate Experience” invitation-only event. The museum houses a trove of fascinating exhibits, photo opportunities, and the evolution of the Grammy Awards. This event is an SDPA staple intended to honor SDPA diplomates, the members who have completed the SDPA’s premier education program, embodying the dedication and excellence that define our profession.

Charting Your Path Forward
At the conclusion of every conference, I cannot help but reflect on the invaluable insights gained, the connections fostered, and the inspiration ignited. The SDPA conference is more than an event; it’s a conduit for growth, transformation, and excellence.