President's Column | June 2025

Jun 4, 2025

A Reflective Farewell

Dear Members,

Hello, friends and colleagues. As we welcome the warmth of June, taking us closer to the new 2025-2026 SDPA leadership cycle (beginning July 1st), I find myself reflecting on an incredible journey over this past year. Serving as your President has been an extraordinary honor, and it is with a mix of pride and nostalgia that I write this final newsletter. This marks the end of a chapter for me, both personally and professionally, as the SDPA has become more like family than work…it has become my professional “home.” I have witnessed an incredible amount of growth and evolution over this past year, and I am so proud to have had the opportunity to play a small role in guiding this movement. From the promising new initiatives to the shift in our marketing messaging, to the focus on advocacy efforts and the considerable growth of our membership, I am confident that the SDPA is truly poised for greatness and long-term success. Given this runway, surrounded by an incredible board of directors, group of volunteers, and a stellar staff - the sky is the limit!

Over the past year, our organization has made remarkable strides. We have learned to be agile and adapt. We have faced challenges, learned from them, risen to the occasion, made hard decisions and embraced change. In working to improve our acumen in board function, a few members of our executive board were able to join our CEO at an American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) meeting that focused on exceptional boards creating alignment between board members and the CEO to work together in a collaborative, shared governance best practice model. This proved to be an incredibly beneficial tool, and I look forward to additional opportunities.

We have also successfully launched new initiatives and sought new opportunities that have strengthened our community of DermPAs. From our inaugural Itch Conference, which set a new standard for targeted learning, to the unveiling of our modernized brand identify and logo, the development of a new robust website, and the impending launch of the “Diplomate, Legacy of Excellence” training program, we continually seek to enhance member engagement. Additionally, the move to our new home office space, just blocks from Capitol Hill, further demonstrates an intentional commitment to supporting PA practice and patient care, bolstering our advocacy efforts in ways we could not have imagined!

This takes me to the next exciting topic…SDPA summer conference! The vibrant energy flowing around this event, which is right around the corner, is palpable. Taking place June 25 -June 29 at the Marriot Marquis in Washington DC, I must admit I cannot wait to welcome you there. In full transparency, the FOMO is real - you don’t want to miss this event! Kicking it off at our preconference day with SDPA’s first organized "Hill Day" in over a decade If you have never had the opportunity to spend a “day on the hill”, don’t worry, we do all the hard work for you, providing detailed guidance to set you up for success. This is just another testament to our commitment to representing all DermPAs at the highest level. I urge you to consider participating. I have done so a handful of times, and it is an amazing opportunity to be a part of the solution. This is being held simultaneously as our newest, exclusive class of emerging scholars are working hard to get up to speed on all things psoriasis. Our four conference days will be filled with excellent and diverse educational content, receptions, and unique opportunities that will appeal to PAs, NPs, students and other medical professionals with all levels of

experience and exposure. Our welcome event never disappoints and will be themed true to the DC culture and the VIP event pays homage to one of the most scandalous moments in the history of our government taking place at the Watergate Hotel.

Our staff is working tirelessly to ensure that everything summer conference related is perfect by the time we get kick off, and the numbers of registrants far exceeds my expectations already! Additionally, as I know there may be members in the local area that were unable to take weekdays off work- we made the decision to open a late, day-pass option over the weekend, so that you can participate in a portion of the conference. As irony sometimes has it, we end the conference with a bang on June 29th, which also happens to be my birthday, and I look forward to celebrating with each of you!

My path here within the organization has been an extensive and fulfilling experience. By the end of my term, I will have dedicated 10 years to volunteering with the SDPA. That’s nearly a quarter of my life! I had the opportunity to participate initially as the host of Dermcast in addition to being a member of the Publications and Communications Committee, prior to being appointed as the committee chair. I then transitioned onto the SDPA board of directors, as Director as Large for multiple years, prior to serving as Secretary/Treasurer, and ultimately entering this 3-year term as your president. As I am finishing my second year in this role and ready to transition into the immediate-past-president seat and my final year on the board, I am thankful to have one last touchpoint with you all. Thank you to my incredible group of volunteers and board of directors. Your passion and dedication are the lifeblood of our progressional organization. I also want to thank our CEO & Executive Director, Krista Bower, and her amazing staff. I am immensely grateful to all of you for your support, collaboration, and the friendships forged along the way.

As the SDPA moves forward, I leave you in capable hands, with confidence in our shared vision and a bright path ahead. Thank you for this unforgettable experience. As I step down, I am excited for the future of the SDPA. Our succession looks strong with Incoming President Kristin Rygg, followed by President-Elect Andrew Baker. The future is bright!

Our dedicated board, exceptional volunteers and staff are poised to continue this momentum. The groundwork we've laid in advocacy, education, and community building will keep us advancing and innovating. Our leadership pipeline is pivotal to continuing this initiative. I encourage each of you to stay involved, share your voice, and help shape the future of our society and the DermPA landscape. I want to express my sincere gratitude for having me in the bridge of your SDPA ship, steering the way to success. Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President.

 

Warmest regards,

Amber Blair, MMS, PA-C