Volunteer for Leadership

Official Seal of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, established 1994

Make a Difference Through SDPA Leadership

As a nonprofit professional association, SDPA depends on the amazing contributions of our volunteer leaders to guide the future success of the Society and to represent the Dermatology PA profession nationwide. Our leaders are DermPAs™ who possess a deep passion for positively influencing our field and ensuring that SDPA maintains its position as the profession's leading resource for ongoing education, membership development and intelligent advocacy.

SDPA's leaders include members of the SDPA Board of Directors, the chairs of our several volunteer committees, the elected senior and junior delegates to the AAPA House of Delegates, and the members of the SDPA Nominating Committee.

Volunteering with SDPA

Studies indicate that engaging in volunteer work is an impactful method for enhancing self-esteem, contributing to the community, and satisfying an individual's quest for purpose. Volunteering with SDPA goes beyond this by providing members with a constructive avenue to influence the DermPA™ profession, thereby making a significant impact on the patient population.

There are many ways to volunteer with SDPA beyond serving in leadership. Many leaders previously served in one or multiple of these roles prior to becoming leaders:

  • Volunteering for an SDPA committee.
    • Most committee chairs started out as a volunteer for the committee they now lead and were appointed to their leadership position by the incoming SDPA President for their leadership term as a result of their outstanding service.
    • The Vice Chair position is a committee role established to support the committee chair and as a potential path to future leadership.
    • Our annual Call for Volunteers takes place each spring, but you can also reach out to us throughout the year if you are interested in joining a committee.
  • Serving on the board of DPAF or as a volunteer for the JDPA, such as on the editorial board or as a peer reviewer.
  • Volunteering as the SDPA State Ambassador for your state.
  • Getting involved with your State Affiliate organization or starting your own.

Elected Leadership

While committee chairs and one seat on the Nominating Committee are appointed roles, the remainder of SDPA's leaders are chosen by the SDPA Fellow membership through our annual online election, taking place each spring. Most of these roles serve in 2-year terms and only appear on the ballot alternating years.

Click HERE to see a list of SDPA's elected leadership roles as well as information on their terms and qualification requirements for candidacy.

If you are interested in running for an elected position for the 2025 SDPA Leadership Elections,
please visit this page for more information.

Why You Should Consider SDPA Leadership

Visit our Professional Development page to view videos featuring current and former SDPA leaders on why and how they got involved and why you consider volunteering with SDPA.

Questions?

We hope that you will consider becoming involved with SDPA as a volunteer or in one of the vital leadership roles listed above. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at membership@dermpa.org.