It’s hard to believe my year as President of the SDPA is quickly coming to a close. I want to sincerely thank all of you for the hard work and dedication to the dermatology PA profession and this great organization. Whatever you did this year to help advance and advocate for dermatology PAs, be proud.
It was a challenging year; we've endured many attacks on our profession coming from unexpected places. Attacks including a misleading and one-sided article in the New York Times, a fundamentally flawed study in JAMA Dermatology, as well as articles from the usual suspects (such as the frequently PA-disparaging Dermatology News columnist). We also faced the cancellation, due to back-to-back hurricanes, of our fall conference that was to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, through it all, I’m proud and honored to say that, by working together, the Dermatology PA community tackled everything head on.
In spite of the challenges of the past year, there were many good and productive things as well. These included: the launch of the initial phase of the Diplomate Fellowship program last summer (along with two additional phases since); a productive and informative meeting with the AAD board during their annual meeting this past February, where we also hosted our first reception honoring dermatology PAs; and several legislative wins for PAs as a whole. It all adds up to progress.
Beyond the advancements that were made, I’d like to turn my thoughts to the purpose and focus that will be required of us all in the years ahead.
Given the recent attacks on dermatology PAs and the continued need for Optimal Team Practice (OTP), it will take all of us to make strides to protect our profession. Together, we must work to defend our profession by educating others about what we do and what we stand for. If we don’t, who will?
It has been incredibly rewarding serving as your President. I’ve enjoyed greatly getting to meet dermatology PAs from all over the country and discussing the challenges and the joys we face together. It was also a privilege for me to get to meet with law makers on capitol hill and advocate for PAs. During that process I learned something that was pretty startling to me; PAs give the lowest amount to our Political Action Committee (PAC), the group that advocates for us in the halls of power, in comparison to our physician and NP colleagues. Giving back is now more important than ever. Whether it’s volunteering a few hours a month on one of the SDPA’s committees, or donating to the Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF), or the AAPA’s PA PAC, it is these acts that will help propel the profession forward.
Now is not the time to become apathetic or complacent. Now is the time to get involved and give of our talents to ensure our profession continues to be the great profession we all love.
As I transition into my role as Immediate Past President this July, I will remain focused on advocating for the dermatology PA profession and I encourage you to join me. Another one of my goals will be to help recruit new SDPA leaders. Email me if you have any questions; I’d be happy and honored to help you identify the perfect committee, or other avenue, to get involved.
Sincerely,
Jane Mast, MPAS, PA-C
SDPA President
