SDPA Diplomate: The Legacy of Excellence Earns Gold Brandon Hall Group Excellence Award

Aug 18, 2026

The Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) is proud to announce that SDPA Diplomate: The Legacy of Excellence has been awarded a Gold Brandon Hall Group Excellence Award for Best Association Professional Development Program, the highest distinction in this category.

The Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards are recognized globally for honoring innovation and excellence in learning, leadership, talent development, and professional education. The Best Association Professional Development Program category recognizes exceptional programs developed by associations to advance the careers and professional growth of their members.

This Gold Award represents a significant achievement. Brandon Hall Group receives submissions from organizations around the world, and only a select percentage are recognized annually. The award serves as independent validation of the quality, impact, and value of SDPA Diplomate: The Legacy of Excellence.

The distinction also places SDPA among an accomplished group of previous Gold recipients, including SHRM, the American Bankers Association, and the Money Management Institute in partnership with the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

For SDPA, the recognition reinforces the program's role in advancing excellence in dermatology education and professional development. Through its rigorous curriculum and commitment to lifelong learning, SDPA Diplomate: The Legacy of Excellence has established itself as a premier educational program for dermatology physician associates seeking to deepen their expertise and demonstrate their commitment to the specialty.

"This recognition is an exciting milestone for SDPA, but what matters most is what the Diplomate program represents for our profession. We are building rigorous, accessible education that helps dermatology PAs and NPs strengthen their knowledge and ultimately provide exceptional care for their patients early in and throughout their careers. This Gold Award reflects the tremendous work of the volunteers, educators, subject-matter experts, and the SDPA team who transformed the Diplomate program and continue to move dermatology education forward." SDPA President Andrew Baker, MPA, MBA, PA-C

Award recipients were announced on August 17, 2026, during a Brandon Hall Group webinar. Honorees will be formally recognized at the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards ceremony in West Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2027.

SDPA thanks the countless volunteers, subject matter experts, leaders, and program participants whose dedication and commitment to excellence have contributed to this achievement. Their work continues to elevate the profession and strengthen the future of dermatology education.

As the organization celebrates this milestone, SDPA remains committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities that support professional growth, clinical excellence, and high-quality patient care.