Boot-Scootin' Fun and Learning: Highlights from the
SDPA 21st Annual Fall Dermatology Conference in Nashville
Dear Colleagues,
What a whirlwind of learning and fun. DermPAs from across the country came together in the vibrant music city of Nashville for the 21st annual SDPA fall conference, where we celebrated our DermPA members, professional growth, and camaraderie. Many of you attended and not only learned the latest and greatest in Dermatology but also put on your boots, listened to great live music, and enjoyed the hot chicken and tasty barbecue.
The highlight of our gathering was the exciting welcome event held at the iconic Wildhorse Saloon (sponsored by Arcutis Inc.) Attendees had a blast learning how to line dance, boot scooting across the dance floor, and even summoning their inner cowgirl or cowboy by taking a daring ride on the mechanical bull. (To watch the video featuring the Boots Are Walking Welcome Event at the Wildhorse Saloon, click the picture below to the left.)
Beyond the festivities, the SDPA conference brought us together as a community of dermatology professionals with over 500 learners. Over the five-day event, the halls were filled with enthusiastic providers for 20-plus hours of valuable sessions. Attendees learned practical clinical pearls from our expert speakers in subjects like dermoscopy, melanoma, lymphoma, pigmented dermatoses, challenging cases, and cosmetics, to name a few. Our conference was not just an opportunity for learning but also a chance to meet and discuss dermatology successes and challenges. From the latest research to practical clinical insights, we return home with a wealth of knowledge to apply in our practices.
Keynote speaker and author Carlos Whittaker spoke to us on How to Human, which has value and practical application in the clinic, with friends and family, and in everyday life. His stories about interaction with family, children, and even strangers can have meaning for you and help you connect with others. His message hit home for many of us and is useful to DermPAs in our daily interactions with our patients.
Our well-received professional development workshop filled our pre-conference day with engaging presentations on research, professional writing, speaking with polish, high-impact CVs, and compliance. Attendees gained valuable insights and strategies to explore intellectually rewarding roles outside traditional clinical care. These perspectives offer us a path to diversify our careers.
The Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) in conjunction with DermPAs in Tennessee volunteered their skills to serve the staff of the Grand Hyatt hotel with skin cancer screenings. Many staff got their spots checked and several skin cancers were identified. Kudos to the Tennessee PA volunteers and DPAF for organizing this successful skin cancer screening.
In addition to all the fantastic lectures, the conference was a place to expand our knowledge, connect with peers, and leave attendees excited about being a part of the DermPA community. The SDPA conferences have always been a source of inspiration and growth for me and my colleagues, and this one was no exception.
In case you were unable to boot scoot your way to Nashville, or you want to view the Professional Development topics from the Pre Conference day, these will be available on the learning management system (LMS). If you missed a lecture and want to watch it or rewatch it, the recorded lectures will be posted on the LMS shortly, allowing you to earn up to 32 hours total CME.
Please remember SDPA is more than just a meeting. The SDPA serves DermPAs with year-round education, distance learning, legislative action, scholarly JDPA journal articles, and philanthropic events through DPAF. These exclusive member opportunities are run by PAs for PAs.
As we approach the holiday season, let’s remember what we are thankful for: family, health, friends, peace, and the ability to help others are just a few of mine. I wish each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I want to close with how thankful we are to have you be part of our SDPA family.
Yours truly,
Yours truly,
Laura Bush, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
President, SDPA Board of Directors
