News

Our Profession Is Moving Forward

A few months into my presidency, one thing has become increasingly clear to me: the future of our profession deserves more of our attention—and DermPAs™ should have a meaningful role in shaping it.

We see where patients struggle to access care. We know which steps in a busy clinic help us deliver excellent care and which consume time without improving it. We experience the excitement of new treatments alongside the practical challenges of getting them to the people who need them.

By Kelly Swanson*, PA-C

Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson 

From Vision to Action

As we move into fall, I have been thinking about the difference between having a vision and building the systems, relationships, and opportunities necessary to make that vision real.

When I began my term as President, I shared a straightforward goal: SDPA should be the professional home for DermPAs™ 365 days a year—not simply an organization known for two outstanding conferences.

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.

More Than They Expect

As I reflect on my first month as your SDPA President and on the incredible conversations at our Leadership Summit in Portland, Maine, I find myself returning to an idea that has shaped my leadership: There is remarkable power in giving people more than they expect. That philosophy isn't about doing more for the sake of doing more. 

SDPA is concerned about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposed CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule changes. Specifically, SDPA opposes reductions to the Physician Fee Schedule conversion factors and the proposed payment cuts for same-day evaluation and management services and global surgical procedures reported with Modifier 25. These proposals threaten fair reimbursement for the high-quality, timely care SDPA members provide to patients.

The Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Medical Missions Scholarship: Michael Overcash, PA-C, and Allison Rabe, PA-C. Both recipients exemplify the spirit of service, compassion, and global outreach that this scholarship was created to support.