Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF)
The Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) was established in 2015 in order to help DermPAs expand their leadership and contribution to the field of Dermatology. The DPAF is led by a Board of Trustees appointed by the SDPA Board of Directors. The DPAF mission is to seek to inspire and invest in DermPAs to succeed in professional development and philanthropic service to impact communities and provide inclusion for all.
The SDPA has a long history of philanthropic and educational activities. In 2012, the SDPA established a philanthropic task force, which was transformed into the SDPA Philanthropic Committee in 2013 in order to promote the desire of its members to engage in fundraising and promoting awareness for dermatologic disease treatment and cures. The SDPA Philanthropic Committee was replaced by the DPAF on November 14, 2015, when the DPAF Board of Trustees met for the first time at the SDPA's 13th Annual Fall Dermatology Conference. The first official joint project of the DPAF and SDPA took place in Orlando with the 4th Miles for Melanoma 5K Run/Walk in support of the Melanoma Research Foundation.
Today, DPAF offers a multitude of programs to help DermPAs grow and thrive in their careers, including Medical Missions, Talks in a Box, and Research Support. Read more on these programs below.
Established exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, the DPAF is a 50lc3 corporation. The purpose of the DPAF is to engage in research, scholarships, educational activities, and philanthropy designed to improve the practice of dermatologic patient care by PAs.
of US citizens live in areas underserved by dermatologists.
dermatologists are available per 100,000 population.
to care include income and proximity to specialty care.
patients in the US have little or no access to healthcare.
DPAF Statement of Values
The Dermatology PA Foundation requires that, in addition to adhering to our Code of Ethics, board members, volunteers and employees adhere to a core set of values in each action they take on behalf of the foundation.
- Ethical Conduct as Healthcare Providers: As stated in our Code of Ethics, The DPAF adheres to a strict code of ethics and understands we have an obligation to our patients, colleagues, other health professional and the public to adhere to standards of conduct that ensures their dignity, and promotes our understanding, compassion and empathy.
Improving Dermatologic Patient Care: The DPAF recognizes and upholds its commitment to engage in activities which result in the improvement of patient care and quality of life through direct philanthropic activities or indirectly through the development of opportunities and education for PAs and other medical professionals in the field of dermatology.
Integrity and Accountability: The DPAF, its board members, volunteers and employees will act responsibly towards the communities and constituent groups that we serve and always for their benefits. We will uphold the highest level of integrity in our work and efforts and seek to be transparent in our practices.
Diversity: The DPAF its board members, volunteers and employees celebrate and respect all and work serve our constituency, implement our strategic plans and execute our mission regardless of race, religion, age, creed, marital status, gender or sexual identity, culture or nationality, values, political or socioeconomic status or nature of illness.
Stewardship: The DPAF, its board members, volunteers and employees recognize that we are the stewards of the Foundation's human and financial resources. We will treat our constituents, board members, volunteers, staff and partners with respect, fairness and good faith and safeguard their rights and welfare. We will administer and organize the Foundations resources with care. We will protect, preserve and spend wisely those funds contributed to the DPAF and its mission.
Innovation: The DPAF its board members, volunteers and employees are committed and open to seeking out innovation whenever possible for the benefit of the Foundation and the constituents it serves.
How Can I Donate to DPAF?
You can donate as an individual or as part of an organization. Every donation helps empower DermPAs to advance dermatology care and make a positive impact on patients' lives.
How Do I Become a DPAF Partner?
Why Join a Medical Mission?
- Helping a marginalized community makes a major public health impact.
- People need dermatology care now more than ever.
- You can make a real difference in people’s lives.
- Medical missions benefit underserved communities and global healthcare.
- Improving health, saving lives and contributing to the community well-being.
What is the Medical Mission Scholarship?
DPAF is honored to assist DermPAs in their medical missions to underserved communities, empowering them to deliver essential care and education to those who need it most.
If you are interested in a Medical Mission supported by DPAF, please email Amber Falls at afalls@dermpa.org to be considered for this impactful opportunity.
Medical Mission Scholarship:
$2000
Talks in a Box - Community Outreach
Medicine is a service profession, and as Physician Assistants, we are all called to provide medical services to our communities. But PAs also value and are invested in serving our communities. Our Talks in a Box program will allow DermPAs to easily access presentations on common dermatology conditions that can be presented within their community.
Our current presentations cover:
- Adolescent Acne
- Adult Acne
- Psoriasis
- Sun Safety 101
- Rosacia
If you are interested in any of these topics, email Amber Falls at afalls@dermpa.org for links to our presentations.
DPAF Research Support
As DermPAs, we can participate as principal investigators in research and be more involved in medicine with these avenues of opportunity. DPAF Research Support is dedicated to you, the DermPA, to push the boundaries of dermatological understanding and innovation.
With a grant supported by DPAF, we make it our mission to fund groundbreaking research projects, foster collaborations, and empower you, the DermPA, to make significant contributions to the medical field of dermatology. Apply today and join this undertaking to improve patient care, enhance scientific discovery, and shape dermatological research's future through the DermPA's eyes.
DPAF encourages and provides resources for PAs to get involved in research. For example, you can submit a case report to a journal or collaborate with other PAs interested in publication through the SDPA.
How Can a DermPA Become Involved in Research?
Clinical Trial Training
- Good Clinical Practice Certification
- Research Training Programs (ACRP, Academia, CCRPS
Further Education
- Master of Clinical Research
- Project Management Certificate
Experience
- Shadowing Clinical Research Coordinators
- Research Nurses, Project Managers & Pharmacists
- Sub-Investigators & Investigators
- Identify a research mentor
Avenues
- Become a qualified site for Clinical Trials
- Original Research
- Join a Research Team
- Explore non-traditional PA role
Interested in applying for a research grant?
One of the main missions of the DPAF is to fund grants for research and community outreach. If you are interested in a research grant? Contact Amber Falls at afalls@dermpa.org.
Our team consisted of nurses, pharmacists, Turkish doctors, dentists and volunteers from the Hatay area of Turkey where the earthquake struck earlier this year. We visited tents were families of all ages were living. Most with URI, skin rashes, sunburns and GI upset. The best experience was allowing two mothers hear their baby’s heartbeat for the first time. We would arrive and see the children run to our van excited for us to play soccer and color. It was truly an honor to be welcomed into their homes with open arms. They would offer tea as gratitude. It was truly a magical place and hope to work another mission wi the IMR and possibly in Turkey again in the future.