News
President's Column | September 2025
September is National Preparedness Month—a time when we’re reminded of the importance of readiness in the face of uncertainty. As we watch wildfires rage, flash floods devastate communities, and storms intensify across the country, the message is clear: we need to be more prepared than ever before. But preparedness isn’t just about natural disasters—it’s about being equipped to face any challenge that threatens our ability to care, advocate, and lead. For us as Dermatology PAs, that means protecting our profession, our patients, and our communities from the unexpected.
Preparedness begins with awareness. In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, legislative shifts and public policy changes can impact how we practice and how our patients receive care. SDPA is here to keep you in the loop with timely legislative updates and advocacy alerts. We get it—policy talk isn’t always the most exciting part of your day, and it’s easy to feel like government decisions are far removed from your daily work. But the reality is, these decisions are deeply consequential to our profession and to the way we practice medicine. Staying informed is a simple, meaningful way to stay aware and ready. When you lend your voice as a member of this profession, you help shape the decisions that impact how we care, lead, and grow.
Another vital tool in our preparedness arsenal is the Reporting Access Website. This platform allows members to share real-world challenges that impact their ability to deliver care. Examples of issues to report include restrictions on PA scope or barriers to providing patient care, delays or denials in patient access to dermatological treatments or medications, challenges with insurance coverage, prior authorizations, or reimbursements, and legislative or regulatory barriers that affect practice efficiency. Your insights are vital in helping us identify trends, develop advocacy strategies, and work toward meaningful solutions. When we know what you're facing, we can fight smarter—and together.
And just as communities prepare for hurricanes or wildfires, we must also prepare for the health and social challenges that affect those around us. Through DPAF’s Talks in a Box, we offer ready-made outreach kits that empower you to educate and engage your local communities. Whether you’re speaking at a school, clinic, or community center, you’re helping others understand the importance of dermatologic health—and that’s a powerful form of preparedness.
Finally, preparedness means investing in ourselves. This month, we’ll be sharing resources focused on professional resilience—from burnout prevention to leadership development—because a prepared PA is a powerful PA. And while readiness equips us to face challenges, it’s our shared commitment, collaboration, and support for one another that truly sustains us. Our strength lies not just in readiness—but in each other.
Warmly,
Sarah Vicari, MMS, PA-C
President, SDPA
