President’s Message | March 2022

Apr 10, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

With Spring just around the corner, it is a time of renewal. The moment provides an opportunity to share several exciting updates from the SDPA. First, your leadership team has been working diligently to make sure you, the members, are heard, represented, and acknowledged. The Strategic Plan formulated last Spring is in full force to advance, educate, empower, and lead for Dermatology PAs.

Our legislative initiatives throughout the country have been recognized, particularly with your timely response to respective representatives regarding the recent iPledge debacle. In addition, your attention to state legislation prompted the SDPA to weigh-in favorably on Maryland Senate Bill 808, which sought to allow PAs to serve properly as full members of their medical practice team without layers of outdated regulatory burdens. Even though the legislation was withdrawn by its sponsor (see below), we are proud of our contribution. Now, the SDPA Board is focused on joining an effort to improve patient access to affordable, innovative treatments by educating policymakers about harmful barriers created by some Step Therapy protocols. The National Eczema Association, National Psoriasis Foundation, AIM at Melanoma Foundation, AAD, and Coalition for Skin Care Diseases have offered support. Read more about these issues in the newsletter below!
 
Do you want to make a difference and be part of SDPA Leadership? Next month, the annual Call for Volunteers will occur, so I strongly encourage you to become a part of your leadership family! We have diverse leaders making a huge difference, and new ideas are always welcome. They will be coming from all of you, so make sure you sign up to become part of the SDPA growth!

I want to remind you to register for the SDPA Annual Summer Dermatology Conference in Austin, Texas; it will be 100% LIVE, and we already have over 300 registrants. Conference Medical Director Travis Vandergriff, MD, and the SDPA CME Committee have taken CME to a higher level by offering tracks to promote in-depth discussions suitable for Derm PAs at all career levels. In addition, we are hosting our first-ever blood drive, and SDPA is proud to host keynote speaker Jean Bolognia, MD, senior editor of Dermatology Essentials! It is also a great time to network, so Austin is a must!

If you are a Fellow member, please review information on the talented slate of candidates running for five seats in the annual Leadership Elections. All Fellows should have received an email ballot which includes a unique link; check your email inbox and spam folder as the election closes at 11:59 PM EASTERN, Wednesday, March 31, 2022.
 
Finally, thank you to all who have participated in our recent Membership Survey. The positive feedback has been overwhelming, and new ideas have emerged to improve the SDPA. The SDPA is working hard to ensure all the suggestions are shared with the committees, which can make them happen. Remember, your voice is what drives the SDPA into the future. As always, I am open to continuing the conversation one on one. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at rblock@dermpa.net.

With you and for you,  

Renata Block, MMS, PA-C SDPA President