President's Column | July 2023

Jul 14, 2023

Dear Colleague,

“If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk,

then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

- Martin Luther King

On July 1, a new board of leaders came together as a team to represent you and keep our organization moving forward. As we embark on another leadership year, we celebrate past successes and look towards opportunities for growth.

Before we begin this exciting journey, I want to acknowledge Lauren Miller, outgoing President; Renata Block, immediate past President; and Francine Phillips, Vice-President, for their dedication and service.

Our society has achieved remarkable heights and is indebted to many past leaders for all their contributions, hard work, and leadership to drive change within the profession. Their unwavering commitment, efforts, and service have transformed our organization. Regardless of the scale of their contributions, their legacy has left an indelible mark on this organization, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation for all they have accomplished.  

As a society, we celebrate a new year for the SDPA and embrace a fresh beginning as we welcome a new group of remarkable leaders who are visionary advocates committed to serving the dermPA profession. We are fortunate to have a variety of talented members dedicated to giving back to our profession and peers, driving change, and moving us forward. These individuals recognize progress is a journey. They inspire us to reach new heights and embody the essence of walking before you can run.   As your President, I will represent our passion for dermatology and dedication to the dermPA profession. By empowering and uplifting others, I hope to provide a supportive leadership path and make great organizational strides.   

One primary goal is to enhance educational opportunities. Education is the cornerstone of professional growth, and we are committed to providing you with the tools and resources necessary to excel in your career. We recognize the importance of adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of long-distance education and will work to create more options for remote learning. We aim to bring engaging topics to you through innovative technologies and interactive platforms and continue our summer and fall conferences with the newest information to help our members stay up-to-date and deliver the best care to their patients.  

Our mission statement serves as a guiding light in everything we do: to engage, educate, and advance the dermPA profession. As we move forward, let us keep sight of these pillars that define our organization. Engaging our members means fostering collaboration and inclusivity, where every voice is heard and valued. Education is not a static concept; it is a lifelong journey of learning and growth. By providing you with cutting-edge information, techniques, and relevant resources, we empower you to excel in your practice. Moreover, by advancing the dermPA profession, we ensure that our role as integral healthcare team members is recognized and respected.  

Remember, the SDPA is a collective effort. Our board and nearly 70 dedicated volunteers, comprised of committee chairs, vice-chairs, and committee members, work behind the scenes to support our initiatives, plan events, and address the needs of our members. They are the backbone of this organization, and together, along with our fantastic staff, we form an unstoppable team.  

I call upon each of you to actively participate. Your expertise, insights, and ideas are invaluable. We can harness the power of collaboration and push the boundaries of what is possible. Let’s keep the SDPA moving forward and embrace change, foster innovation, and empower one another to reach new levels of excellence. Together we will impact the lives of countless patients and future generations of dermPAs.

Yours Truly,
Laura Bush, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA