Committees

CME Conference Committee

This committee plays a strategic role in shaping the programming for the Summer and Fall Conferences by ensuring high-quality, relevant, and engaging educational content. By executing their responsibilities, the committee enhances the overall conference experience, drives attendee value, and reinforces the organization's reputation for delivering high-caliber medical education. Back to Top

Frequency of meetings: Quarterly

Main assignments:

• Review evaluation data to plan the SDPA Summer Conference.
• Review evaluation data to plan the SDPA Fall Conference.
• Grade submitted abstracts for the SDPA Summer and Fall Conference.

Communications Committee

The SDPA Communications Committee serves as a strategic advisor on how the association communicates its mission, amplifies the voice of the DermPA™ profession, and engages its members. The committee provides guidance, feedback, and creative input to help staff shape compelling messaging and content strategy across SDPA’s platforms. Back to Top

Frequency of Meetings

Quarterly, with additional meetings as needed

Main Assignments:

• Offer member perspective on content relevance, engagement, and storytelling that reflects the DermPA™ community.
• Provide guidance as subject matter experts and keep staff informed of advances in dermatology and stories to tell on social media, blogs, and podcasts.
• Regularly engage with SDPA’s social media channels by liking, commenting, and sharing. 

Diplomate Fellowship Advisory Panel

The Diplomate Fellowship Advisory Panel serves as a strategic resource for the Diplomate education program, providing guidance to ensure content quality, relevance, and clarity. Members will offer input as needed, including content and documentation required for accreditation (including AAPA and other accrediting bodies as necessary), and will be engaged on an as-needed basis to support key initiatives. Back to Top

Frequency of meetings: As needed

Main assignments:

• Respond to member inquiries by providing clarification on diplomate education and content.
• Provide required content necessary for accreditation.
• Review and update content as needed.

Distance Medical Education Committee

The Distance Medical Education Committee is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality medical education through innovative virtual learning opportunities. This committee plays a strategic role in developing, curating, and optimizing online educational programs that support the professional growth of medical professionals. The committee strengthens the organization's digital education portfolio, ensuring that members have access to cutting-edge medical knowledge anytime, anywhere. Back to Top

Frequency of meetings: Quarterly

Main assignments:

• Review evaluation data to plan relevant webinars and eLearning programs.
• Secure SMEs for webinars and eLearning programs.
• Examine current programming for relevancy, repeat uses, etc.

Early Career DermPA™ Committee

The Early Career DermPA™ Committee enhances the organization's engagement with and support of DermPAs™ who are within the first five years of their career in the specialty. The committee explores avenues to grow and retain early career SDPA members, while enhancing the professional development and learning programs available to them. The committee also considers SDPA conferences, ensuring early career DermPAs™ have access to valuable networking and growth opportunities. Back to Top

Frequency of meetings: Quarterly

Main assignments:

• Review Emerging Scholar applications and recommend final slate to the board for approval.
• Create a DermPA Pathway documentation for early career DermPAs.
• Evaluate feedback from participants in the RISE DermPA Program inaugural cohort and provide recommendations for program improvement.

House of Delegates (HOD) Committee

This committee is responsible for informing the SDPA Board of items coming before the AAPA House of Delegates (HOD). The committee reads all items coming before the House and shares constituent views and suggestions, particularly those related to implementation of AAPA policy positions, with the SDPA Board. The committee’s role attending the House of Delegates is to advocate on behalf of the SDPA and carry the SDPA vote for each issue in which SDPA has an interest. Upon return from HOD, the committee files their final report to the Board. Back to Top

Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee

The Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee provides the Society with clinical perspectives on public policy developments impacting SDPA members, dermatology professionals, patients, and the skin health of the general public. The committee helps build an annual advocacy agenda, narrows key areas of advocacy focus, and advises on SDPA’s position on important issues. The committee frequently engages on state-level policy and serves as Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) for grassroots efforts advocating for the DermPA™ profession and the patients they serve. Back to Top

Frequency of Meetings: Quarterly

Main Assignments:

• Monitor and report on changes regarding the PA role at state and federal levels.
• Share state updates on access issues and promote use of the legislative action center.
• Promote advocacy initiatives on behalf of SDPA via social media, conversations at conferences, etc.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee evaluates and advises on the needs of SDPA members through surveys and their own perspective as SDPA members and dermatology professionals. The committee shepherds the development of member programs and benefits and ensures the ongoing growth of the SDPA membership. The Membership Committee oversees the Annual SDPA Awards process. Back to Top

Frequency of Meetings: Quarterly; additional meetings as needed

Main Assignments:

• Review membership data and provide feedback on strategies for recruitment and retention.
• Advise on and help champion various membership projects, and recommend new member discounts and other products.
• Engage fellow members, assist with external DermPA™ outreach and recruitment, and actively participate on SDPA Connect. 

Nominating Committee

This committee is responsible for recruiting and vetting candidates interested in standing for SDPA elected office. The committee evaluates all candidates according to the qualification criteria set forth in the SDPA Bylaws and according to such other selection guidelines as may be established by the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee distributes a ballot to the voting membership on a date to be determined by the SDPA Board of Directors. Back to Top

IDEA Committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access)

The IDEA Committee is committed to building a stronger, more inclusive dermatology PA community by promoting the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access across all areas of our organization. By pursuing these goals, the SDPA aims to broaden diversity within our membership, leadership, and educational programs, fostering meaningful change and advancing equitable healthcare practices for all. Back to Top

Frequency of Meetings: Quarterly

Main Assignments:

• Advise strategies to increase diversity and inclusion within SDPA’s membership, leadership, and volunteer base.
• Recommend diverse speakers and educational resources to be sourced and provided by SDPA and solicit manuscripts on DEI-related dermatology topics for inclusion in JDPA or as a JDPA supplement.
• Build resources that improve standards of care for diverse patient populations. 

Journal of Dermatology for PAs (JDPA) Editorial Board

The JDPA Editorial Board is responsible for upholding the quality, integrity, and strategic direction of the journal’s content. Members provide subject matter expertise by reviewing submissions, offering editorial guidance, and ensuring that published materials are accurate, relevant, and aligned with SDPA’s mission. Back to Top

Frequency of Meetings: Quarterly

Main Assignments:

• Serve as a peer-reviewer of submitted articles.
• Generate ideas to further improve the volume and quality of submissions.
• Actively participate in special projects, as necessary.

Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) Board of Trustees

As the philanthropic arm of SDPA, the Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the DermPA™ community. Through its initiatives, DPAF provides scholarships that help DermPAs™ advance their education by attending SDPA conferences, supports medical mission opportunities that allow DermPAs™ to provide care to underserved communities, and funds DermPAs™ to present their research at SDPA conferences.

DPAF’s impact also extends beyond SDPA members. The Foundation provides free, comprehensive skin cancer screenings at SDPA conferences, underscoring its commitment to early detection, public awareness, and providing educational resources to the broader community. Back to Top

Frequency of meetings: Quarterly

Main assignments:

• Review applications and select recipients for scholarships and medical missions.
• Manage free skin checks at conferences.
• Develop programs to support DermPAs and to educate the public about skin health.

State Affiliate Network

Amber Blair, MMS, PA-C - Board Liaison
Jenna Goins, MS, MBA, CAE - Staff Liaison