Board of Directors
The SDPA is run by a dedicated team of volunteer leaders working within the field of dermatology. The Board of Directors (BOD) is the SDPA governing body and is assisted by a number of committees, each with their own charge as appointed by the BOD. A member meeting is held twice a year at the SDPA’s two annual conferences, where the BOD updates the membership on the society’s activities and projects.
The Board of Directors is composed of nine elected individuals: President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Immediate Past President, and four Directors at Large. A Board of Director's term of office begins July 1 each year and concludes June 30 of the following year. The following Board of Directors begins serving on July 1, 2024.
President | Amber Blair, MMS, PA-C
Amber Blair is a DermPA currently residing and practicing at Dermatology, Laser and Vein Specialists of the Carolinas, in Charlotte NC. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida’s Cardiopulmonary Science Program, prior to graduating Cum Laude from Nova Southeastern University master’s in medical science of physician assistant studies program in 2012.
In addition to a robust clinical practice, Amber serves as the current President of the Society of Dermatology Physician Associates, after holding the positions of both Secretary Treasurer and Director at Large for the organization. She has worked on faculty for Maui Derm NP + PA conferences, as well as working with Nova Southeastern University’s MMS Physician Assistant program as a preceptor and adjunctive faculty member. Amber has multiple articles published in peer reviewed, indexed dermatology journals and has served as a guest editor of the NP+PA Perspectives in Dermatology, a peer-reviewed, PubMed-indexed supplemental series to The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Additionally, Amber also serves as guest editor for the “Journal of Dermatology for PA’s” (JDPA) editorial board and was most recently awarded the JDPA’s "New PA Author of the Year" award.
When not working with patients or non-profits, Amber enjoys spending time with her family and hanging out with their mini bernedoodle, Margaux. She enjoys yoga, traveling, being outside and indulging in great food and wine!
President-Elect | Kristin Rygg, MPAS, PA-C
Kristin graduated from the University of Florida - College of Medicine in 2008, where she earned her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies. She earned her B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Physiology from the University of Minnesota where she was co-captain of the Swimming and Diving team. Kristin spent seven years practicing as a Hospitalist PA before switching to Dermatology in 2015. She practices in Denver, Colorado.
Kristin has previously served as an SDPA Committee member, Committee Chair, Director at Large and Vice President. She was voted SDPA Committee Chair of the Year in 2020 and SDPA Board Member of the Year in 2022. She was co-host of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Huddle, “Ask Me: Dermatology” as well as “PA Like a Pro: Dermatology”. She is an SDPA Diplomate.
Kristin lives an active lifestyle and can often be found hiking, skiing or exploring Colorado.
Immediate Past President | Laura Bush, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
Laura is a seasoned PA with over 30 years of dedicated service in the medical field. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida, earned a Master of Medical Science from Emory University, and obtained her Doctor of Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg.
Laura has worked in multiple medical fields, including emergency medicine and family practice, but has spent the last 20 years as a DermPA. Over the past decade, she has held key leadership positions, including Secretary-Treasurer for DPAF, Director at large, Secretary/Treasurer, President, and now immediate Past President of the SDPA. She was recently awarded the 2024 SDPA Board Member of the Year and board service award.
Laura's service to DermPAs™ began with the Georgia Dermatology PAs (GDPA), a growing state society, where she served as Treasurer for six years. In 2018, the GDPA recognized Laura’s service and dedication by naming her the Inaugural Physician Assistant Leader of the Year. Her significant professional contributions include precepting students and guest lecturing for Morehouse Medical, South University, and Emory University PA school. Additionally, she has published several articles in the JDPA journal, furthering the knowledge and understanding of the DermPA profession.
As Immediate Past President, Laura hopes to continue serving the DermPA™ profession by supporting and guiding the many excellent initiatives planned for the SDPA. She hopes to contribute ideas, serve as a resource and mentor for all the outstanding SDPA leaders and members, and advocate for the DermPA profession.
Vice President | Elizabeth Otter, MPAS, PA-C
Elizabeth Otter graduated cum laude from Michigan State University, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 2002. Liz graduated from Chatham College with a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies in 2005. Upon graduation, she worked in Emergency and Urgent Care Medicine for three years before finding her home in Dermatology. After sixteen years of practice in Tennessee, Liz and her family moved back to her home state of Michigan. Liz practices general and surgical dermatology. She enjoys skiing, hiking, biking and traveling with her husband and two teenage boys.
Secretary-Treasurer | Sarah Vicari, MMS, PA-C
Sarah graduated from Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry-Biology and serves as a member of Beta Beta Beta Biology honor society. She graduated with a Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. She then worked in dermatology for eight years in Gurnee, Illinois, before moving back to Wisconsin to work for Forefront Dermatology in late 2015. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys, traveling, and reading.
Director at Large | Andrew Baker, MBA, MPAS, PA-C
Andrew graduated in 2012 from The University of Findlay. Upon graduation, he worked in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at an academic hospital and was trained with Plastic Surgery residents. He has since accrued over 7 years of experience working in Dermatology. At his medical and surgical Dermatology clinic, Andrew manages patients with inflammatory skin diseases and utilizes the most innovative treatment options to maximize patient outcomes. A large portion of his clinic is operating on skin cancers in collaboration with dermatologists, oncologists, and plastic surgeons. Andrew is a national speaker on a variety of dermatology and leadership topics. He has been published in multiple peer reviewed journals and looks forward to continuing pushing the DermPA profession forward! He enjoys being part of his children's youth sports and traveling with his wife.
Director at Large | Jennifer Kallio, MMSC, PA-C
Jennifer has been a practicing Dermatology PA for 16+ years. After graduating from Nova Southeastern University, Jennifer practiced in Sarasota, FL for 11 years before moving to NYC. She has been practicing with Hennessey Dermatology for the past 5 years.
Jennifer is a SDPA Diplomate and was one of the SW FL FAPA liaisons. Jennifer has begun working with the NYSSPA to assist with reinstating the Dermatology PA chapter.
She is excited to share her passion for Dermatology and helping others by volunteering her time with the SDPA.
Jennifer likes to spend time with her husband enjoying NYC and all the exciting things it has to offer including museums, Broadway shows and quick trips to the mountains. She is also an avid traveler and enjoys adding stamps to her passport.
Fun fact: Jennifer knows how to clog, tap and Irish dance as well as being fluent in sign language.
Director at Large | Jameka McElroy, MPAS, PA-C
Jameka McElroy has been a Certified PA for eight years and in dermatology for five years. She completed her training and obtained her masters degree at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Her PA career started in emergency medicine but she always knew that dermatology was her calling. Jameka has been a member of the SDPA since 2019. She served as co-chair and vice chair on the Conference Education Committee, and in 2023 was named Committee Chair of the Year. She has also served as past chief delegate and representative for the Society of Dermatology PAs in the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) House of Delegates (HOD).
Jameka is passionate about supporting leadership and professional growth initiatives for our members, through conferences, workshops, and collaborations with allied organizations. In addition to her volunteer work within the organization, she also enjoys mentoring, teaching, and has several publications in peer review journals. As Director at Large, she hopes to empower both new and seasoned members of the SDPA, solidifying DermPAs' status as experts and pivotal influencers in our specialty.
With much gratitude for the opportunity to continue to serve her peers, Jameka looks forward to contributing to the growth of the profession.
Director at Large | Rosemary Son, MPAS, PA-C
Rosemary has been a dermatology PA for 10 years at UT Southwestern. She sees most of her patients at Parkland, the safety net healthcare system for Dallas County. Her experience in working with an underserved population has made her very passionate about providing access to healthcare, and specifically dermatology care to all patients. A native Texan who has spent most of her life in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Rosemary went to Texas Woman’s University to study nutrition and graduated summa cum laude, then completed the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian, a credential she still keeps active. Having been captivated by the PA profession she took her prereqs and joined the UT Southwestern class of 2013. She serves on the board of trustees for DPAF, and serves as the specialty organization liason for the AAPA to the AAD.
As a Director, Rosemary has been working with the board to update and modernize the SDPA by updating the bylaws and solidifying the mission of DPAF which has expanded its reach to include skin cancer screenings for hotel staff and other members of the public at our conference hotels. She is looking forward to continuing to serve the SDPA and its members.
CEO & Executive Director | Krista Bower, MPA, CAE
Krista Paternostro Bower MPA, CAE, brings over 30 years of association management experience to SDPA. An accomplished executive with a demonstrated track record of accelerating growth and innovation within non-profit organizations, she demonstrates proficiency in financial management; certification; leadership & organizational development; planning exceptional meetings & educational experiences; and strategic planning. Krista has held several statewide and national executive leadership roles, including serving as CEO of both the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. and the Military Operations Research Society.
Krista earned a bachelor’s degree in international politics and a master’s degree in public administration, both from the Pennsylvania State University. She has been a certified association executive (CAE) since 2008. She is a 1998 graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institutes for Organization Management (IOM) program.
