Empowering Dermatology PAs Through Education and Career Support

“SDPA continues to be a main education for our members and we're growing exponentially in the field. The more education and the more spotlight we're giving our derm PAs, the better,” said Michael Rubio, PA-C, in an interview with Dermatology Times previewing the 2024 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Fall Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rubio, a board-certified dermatology physician associate (PA) practicing in Brooklyn, New York, at Infinity Dermatology, the vice co-chair of the SDPA Communication Committee, contributor to the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants development of the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Dermatology, and co-founder of Well Revolution, highlighted the significant role of the SDPA in advancing PA education and career support in this year’s meeting and beyond.

To keep up with all conference coverage from SDPA Fall, click here. To receive updates and top insights from the meeting, subscribe to our eNewsletters for clinical pearls straight to your inbox.

As the largest national organization of specialty PAs with over 5000 members, the SDPA stands out by being led by PAs, for PAs, making it uniquely positioned to address the evolving needs of the dermatology PA community.

Rubio is especially enthusiastic about the lineup of speakers at SDPA this year, which intentionally includes up-and-coming voices and presenters new to the podium. This diversity aims to introduce innovative ideas and address emerging areas of interest among members, such as immunology—a field of growing importance in dermatology. The SDPA’s commitment to staying responsive to its members ensures its educational offerings remain relevant and impactful.

A distinctive feature of SDPA’s approach is its focus on career-spanning support through tailored educational tracks. These tracks cater to PAs at various stages of their professional journeys:

1. Early-career PAs receive foundational guidance to help them navigate the initial challenges of the field.
2. Mid-career PAs gain resources for leadership development, collaboration with industry partners, and advanced clinical techniques.
3. Experienced PAs are provided with tools to continue refining their expertise and staying engaged in the field.

This comprehensive structure ensures that PAs feel supported throughout their careers, rather than just at isolated conferences. Rubio emphasized how this approach fills a critical gap in professional development, providing a roadmap for growth and maturation that reflects the unique experiences of dermatology PAs.

Rubio noted that the SDPA’s efforts mark a pivotal advancement in PA education. By addressing the distinct needs of PAs at different career stages and fostering a sense of long-term community, the SDPA is redefining how professional organizations can support their members. According to Rubio, such initiatives were absent when he started his career, making the SDPA’s forward-thinking strategy even more valuable to today’s dermatology PAs.