Previewing the 2024 SDPA Annual Summer Dermatology Conference

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This week launches the 2024 Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) Summer Conference in San Diego, California. SDPA is a partner organization of Dermatology Times, which will be on-site to capture the latest research and insights.

The conference will include 22 live general sessions, for which attendees can claim up to 22 AAPA Category 1 CME credits based on their participation (AAPA reference number: CME-2011430). There are also will be more than 40 research posters presented at the conference.

The SDPA Summer Conference kicks off with a pre-conference hands-on cosmetics workshop lead by Robyn Siperstein, MD, FAAD, on June 5, 2024. The in-depth workshop will review fillers, neuromodulators, and cosmetic injectables. A unique aspect to the workshop is the inclusion of cadaver for teaching purposes. Attendees will be able to visualize how the agents work, areas of interest, and safety concerns (eg, where veins are and how to avoid them). Participants also will have access to a hands-on rheology lab and will be coached on how to perform a consult and plan to rejuvenate and enhance their clients’ natural beauty.

The main conference begins on June 6, as Laura Bush, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA , shares the President’s Address. The keynote address, “Dermatology Cases Intertwined,” will be given by Hayley Arceneaux, PA-C. In addition to being a physician assistant, Arceneaux was a crew member on SpaceX's Inspiration4 in 2021. That adventure gave her a number of landmark experiences: the youngest American to orbit Earth, the first pediatric cancer survivor to become an astronaut, and the first individual with a prosthetic body part to visit space. Featured speaker Rick Guidotti will share his experiences as founder and director of Positive Exposure, a nonprofit organization focused on building “a more equitable, compassionate world for individuals and communities at risk of stigma and exclusion.”

Clinical sessions will include discussions on chronic spontaneous urticaria, complex alopecia, overcoming challenges in acne treatment, advances in moderate-to-severe psoriasis, supporting patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, using JAK inhibitors with confidence, issues in melanoma and other skin cancers, and dermatology pearls for special populations like pediatrics and skin of color.

Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD, a presenter at the conference and a member of the Dermatology Times editorial board, said she was excited for the meeting and expected it to be a great educational experience. “We’re going to have a great meeting in San Diego,” she told Dermatology Times. “I am excited to be there.”

The SDPA also has planned a number of special events for conference attendees, aimed at building community and networking opportunities (all times PST):

- First-Time Attendee Reception on Wednesday, June 5 from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM

- Arrival Reception With Exhibitors, Wednesday, June 5 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

- Welcome Event, Thursday, June 6 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

- Morning Breathwork Fundraiser, Friday, June 7 at 6:00 AM

- SDPA VIP & Diplomate Experience, Friday, June from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

- Morning Yoga Fundraiser, Saturday June 8 at 6:00 AM

The conference will also include networking and downtime activities for attendees. The exhibit hall will be open from Wednesday evening through Saturday. During select hours, the Dermatology Physician Assistant Foundation will host a Serenity Spa for attendees to relax and restore amidst the hustle of the conference. Attendees are also encouraged to find “Sherman the Snake,” who escaped from the SDPA logo; those who capture a photo of Sherman will receive a dermatoscope. There will be daily BINGO games, an exhibit hall raffle, a guess the pearls contest, and connections game via the SDPA mobile app. 

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Are you attending the conference? Share your thoughts, impressions, and take-aways with Dermatology Times via social media or DTEditor@mmhgroup.com.