Dear SDPA Members,

If you had told me fifteen years ago that I would one day serve as President of the Society of Dermatology Physician Associates, I probably would have smiled politely and told you that you had the wrong person.

Like many of you, I wasn't chasing titles—I was simply trying to become the best clinician I could be. My career has taken a path I never could have planned. I have had the privilege of practicing in reconstructive surgery, emergency/hospital medicine, and ultimately dermatology. Along the way, I discovered something about myself: I've never viewed my career as climbing a ladder. Instead, I have followed curiosity by asking where I could learn, contribute, solve problems, and create greater impact.

That curiosity led me beyond the exam room. It opened doors to teaching, research, educating, consulting, entrepreneurship, and eventually leadership within SDPA. Each began because someone believed in me before I fully believed in myself.

• A physician who took the time to mentor me.
• A colleague who encouraged me to say yes to a new opportunity.
• Patients who trusted me during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
• Leaders within SDPA who invited me to become involved.

Looking back, I realize something profound: every meaningful opportunity in my career began because someone invested in me. Those investments didn't stop with me. They multiplied. They shaped the clinician I became, expanded my perspective, and changed how I think about leadership—not as a position, but as a responsibility to create opportunities for others.

That is the word I keep returning to as I begin this year as your President: Multiplication.

Every day, Dermatology PAs multiply our impact. We educate patients who share that knowledge with their families. We mentor students who become trusted colleagues. We strengthen practices that expand access to care. We advance research that shapes medicine. Small moments of service often create ripple effects we never have the opportunity to see.

I believe SDPA has the opportunity to do the same. Our organization has long been recognized for outstanding education, clinical excellence, and advocacy. Those foundations remain as important as ever. But our greatest opportunity is investing in people—members beginning their careers, experienced clinicians ready to lead, volunteers with fresh ideas, and the relationships that strengthen our profession.

When we invest in people, growth follows.

As dermatology continues to evolve through remarkable therapeutic innovation, artificial intelligence, changing practice models, and increasing patient demand, our profession has an extraordinary opportunity to lead. SDPA will continue preparing our members not only for today's practice but also for tomorrow's opportunities through education, leadership development, meaningful collaboration, and unwavering advocacy for Dermatology PAs within ongoing collaborative physician care.

One principle will guide me throughout this year: If it helps SDPA members provide better care, build stronger careers, and advance our profession, it deserves our attention.

I won't pretend to have all the answers, and I certainly won't be perfect. What I can promise is that I will lead with curiosity, humility, transparency, and a genuine desire to listen. Some of the best ideas for SDPA's future won't come from the President —they will come from conversations with members, volunteers, staff, and leaders across our profession.

Because of that, I hope these columns become more than messages from the President. Throughout the coming year, I look forward to introducing you to many of the remarkable people who make SDPA what it is. Our Board of Directors, committee leaders, volunteers, and staff each bring unique experiences, talents, and perspectives that strengthen our organization. Their stories remind us that leadership isn't reserved for a select few—it grows wherever people choose to serve.

My hope is that you will see yourself somewhere in those stories. Perhaps as a mentor, volunteer, future leader or as someone taking that first step toward becoming more involved. Because, in the end, none of us arrived here alone. Someone invested in each of us. Now it's our turn to invest in the next generation and each another!

I am deeply honored to serve as your President, and I look forward to building SDPA's next chapter, together.

Warmly,