SDPA Member Spotlight: MARGARET MCKERNAN, MPAS, PA-C

Sep 8, 2023

How long have you been in dermatology and what's your favorite thing about it? I have been in dermatology for four years. My favorite thing about dermatology is the blend of medicine and procedures. We get to do a little bit of everything and it makes the day fun! I also love helping patients get results they can SEE! I love when they feel good in the skin they are in.

What’s your dermatology passion? I certainly have my favorite diagnoses in dermatology, but I would say my passion for being a PA stands out the most. I am deeply passionate about our profession and the significant changes we bring about in our patients' lives every day. The importance of advocating for our profession at both the state and national level cannot be overstated. As the current president of the Ohio Society of Dermatology PAs, chief delegate of the SDPA HOD, and vice chair of the SDPA CME committee, I've found value in attending key events like the AAPA Leadership and Advocacy summit and the AAPA House of Delegates meeting. As a leader committed to service, I am hopeful that my efforts will pave the way for the future generation of PAs. I encourage fellow PAs to join their state organizations, SDPA, and AAPA to actively partake in these essential legislative initiatives.

What is your advice to PA students or new PA graduates interested in dermatology? If you have an interest in dermatology, express that interest early! Be sure to tell your preceptors your interest and network, network, network. Do your elective rotations in dermatology and learn as much as you can. Upon graduation, rely upon your established network to secure your desired position. If you can, be flexible on location and you will have greater success achieving the goal. If you do not begin your career in dermatology, take the time to grab the dermatology cases that come through your practice. Dermatology touches so many specialties. You’ll see cases in primary care, urgent care, gynecology, emergency medicine, plastics, etc. By bolstering your dermatology experience, you can showcase your skills to a potential dermatology employer. Last by not least, join the SDPA and continue to network with your peers who can help you get that coveted dermatology job!

What’s your favorite thing to do? Or what do you do in your spare time? In my spare time I enjoy crafting educational sessions for annual conferences. It is an exciting process that allows me to share my knowledge with others in the field. Since completing my studies, I’ve have been fortunate enough to have presented at 2 state and 1 national conference, with another lecture for the SDPA pharmacology course and OAPA pharmacy conference forthcoming! Additionally, I love playing volleyball. Currently my husband and I enjoy playing twice a week. It’s not just the sport, but the camaraderie and laughter that makes it such a blast!

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Maggie is currently the SDPA chief delegate for the AAPA House of Delegates and a SDPA CME committee vice chair. In addition to these roles, she is the Ohio Society of Dermatology PAs president. She serves the greater Cleveland, Ohio, area at the Apex Dermatology Skin and Surgery Center. She earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. She is honored to have the opportunity to work closely with the SDPA on advancing the DermPA™ profession through both education and advocacy.