San Antonio, Texas

The Diversity in Dermatology (DID) 2024 Conference was an extraordinary gathering that underscored the critical importance of cultural sensitivity in dermatology. Held from March 21-24 at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX, the event attracted a diverse group of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and medical students committed to enhancing their understanding of dermatological care for all skin types.

Sexual Health

The conference kicked off with an important lecture on the ‘Impact of Medical Dermatology to Patient’s Sexual Health’ by Dr. Elizabeth Kiracofe, MD. She pointed out the importance of becoming comfortable having uncomfortable conversations. As experts in dermatological diseases, it’s critical that we let patients know we are a credible and safe resource. She brought attention to the practice gap between the skin diseases we treat and the endless referral loop patient’s often experience when we fail to address the whole patient. It’s important to remember, even when the diseases we’re treating are not located on the genitals, they can still have a profound impact on patient’s intimacy, mental health, and quality of life.

Diversity in Clinical Trials

Pharmacist and Chief Executive Officer of Reveles, R’Kes Starling, RPH, MBA, presented, ‘Admiration to Action: Crafting Inclusive Dermatology Research for the Modern Age.’ He started by discussing the unignorable disparities in research which currently are not representative of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and other underrepresented and underserved communities. This topic is significant because 1 in 5 FDA-approved commonly prescribed medications yield various and ineffective outcomes when evaluated across racial and ethnic groups. By the end of his presentation, we learned actionable steps to increase patient engagement and inclusivity in clinical trial recruitment and implementation. Two strategies included redefining clinical trial designs to reduce inherent biases and the ability of Digital Clinical Trials (DCTs) that remove geographical and socioeconomic barriers to participation. During the lecture, ‘Treating the Underserved Dermatology Community in the US,’ Dr. Richard Usatine, MD noted that the underserved includes:

-Persons experiencing homelessness

-The uninsured

-The underinsured

-Immigrants – where language, finance, and cultural differences can be barriers to care

Throughout the conference, there was a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices and the importance of using research to inform clinical decisions. The Esteemed Faculty highlighted cutting-edge studies and their implications for improving patient outcomes, especially in populations that have historically been marginalized.

‍

Understanding Culture

We heard from Dr. Mona Shahriari, MD who presented multiple lectures including, but not limited to:

-Being Sensitive in an Inclusive Environment

-Special Considerations for Treating Inflammatory Skin Disease in Women

She did a fine job defining culture, a term which often gets misinterpreted and underappreciated, especially in the United States, when it’s viewed as race or ethnicity (which it is not). As she noted, culture includes and allows for:

-Language

-Religion

-Belief systems

-Education

-Dialects

-Social habits

-A filter of experiences

-An impact on perception

‍

Skincare Showcase

Dr. Latanya Benjamin, MD presented, ‘What’s Hot in Skincare for 2024.’ Do you think we should bring it back for DID 2025? Meet Dr. Benjamin, MD:

- President of the Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS)

- Board-certified and Fellowship-trained pediatric dermatologist

- Associate professor at Florida Atlantic University

- Founder of Young Skin, a private practice in South Florida

- Published author, speaker, and media health contributor

During the Skincare Showcase, Dr. Benjamin, MD focused on the prevalence, challenges, and treatment options for hyperpigmentation and melasma. I love research and evidence-based recommendations and Dr. Benjamin, MD did not disappoint! She provided an in-depth and comprehensive summary of effective treatment options, before and after results, and how we can incorporate the latest data into our treatment plans. With dermatology being a highly visual specialty, she came with an endless number of images which is a great tip if you’re new to public speaking or interested in increasing engagement during your presentation.

Welcome to Mohs! Tips to Becoming a Surgical APP & Interesting Cases

Tristan Hasbargen, MMS PA-C is a Physician Associate practicing at Dermatology Associates of Tallahassee where they have 11 Physicians (5 Medical Dermatologists, 3 Mohs Surgeons, 2 Dermatopathologists and 1 Mohs Fellow), 13 PAs, 1 NP, and 4 Dermatology Residents (at the time of his presentation). They treat an average of 23-34 surgical cases a day and operate out of 6 rooms, Monday through Thursday (starting at 06:30) with referrals from South Georgia, Louisiana, and North Florida. His list of credentials includes, but are not limited to:

-Diplomate Fellow, SDPA

-Clerkship Faculty-FSU PA Program

-Dermsquared PA/NP Advisory Board

-Former Journal and Education Chair and Achieve Program Mentor - Diversity in Dermatology

-FSDPA CME Committee Member

During his first 3 years of practice, he spent the majority of his time performing surgery and managed vismodegib patients, performed PDT (photodynamic therapy), and conducted pre-op consultations. Tristan used his extra time to study general medical dermatology. During his fourth year, he started seeing and managing patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis (PsO), acne, rosacea, and low risk total-body examination (TBE) patients. By the fifth year, he was treating every diagnosis without restriction. The gradual pace at which Tristan was permitted to add on more complex diagnoses, provides an excellent frame of reference for NPs and employers.

Tristan provided invaluable insight into how NPs and PAs can increase their experience and value within their dermatology practice over time (with an example of how much time it may take), with emphasis on his surgical practice which many NPs are unfamiliar with prior to dermatology. I appreciated his attention to the daily workflow and how to optimize time which is something we don’t learn in school or clinical rotation. Even during orientation, you often don’t learn how to develop your workflow because you’re following someone else’s routine without knowing why or how they developed it and what key components to consider. Tristan went on to share a plethora of case studies including before and after pictures and his thought process.

Key Takeaways for New Derm NPs

-Develop a plan on how you will increase the complexity of your patient assignments, not just the number of patients per day.

-Continue to study on your own time using recommended, credible resources. Take ownership of your learning, show commitment, and create opportunities to showcase your passions.

-Be patient. There are more than 3,000 diagnoses in dermatology. The learning curve is very steep, but when you have the right strategy in place and receive adequate mentorship, you can be successful.

‍

New Partnerships

We announced our new partnerships this year with DNPs of Color and PAs for Latino Health who were kind enough to send representatives from their respective organizations.

DNPs of Color

Dr. Michael Williams, DNP, FNP-BC represented DNPs of Color (DOCs). DNPs of Color is a 501c3 nonprofit nursing organization, whose mission is to increase diversity in doctoral studies, clinical practice, and leadership for nurses. DNP, short for Doctor of Nursing Practice, is the highest level of education a nurse can attain which focuses on clinical practice. DNPs influence healthcare outcomes through healthcare policy, organizational leadership, and translating nursing research into evidenced-based practice.

We represent the voice and unique interests of over 20,000 nurses of color that hold DNP degrees. Out of the 5 million nurses less than 2% have doctorate degrees. We have a community network of students, personal and allies over 2000 individuals. We have membership of nearly 500 individuals internationally.

I am proud to be one of the first 500 members of DNPs of Color where we recently opened membership for everyone (you don’t have to be a DNP to sit with me)! I previously wrote about my relationship with the President, Founder, and CEO, Dr. Danielle McCamey, DNP, ACNP-BC, FCCP, FADLN which dates back to 2019.

4 opportunities to connect with DNPs of Color:

1. DNP Professional-open to all DNP prepared nurses

2. Nursing Professional-open to nurses that do not hold a DNP degree

3. Nursing Students-open to all nursing students

4. Affiliate Professional-anyone that is not a nurse that is in support of our mission

Programming initiatives

• My DNP manuscript mentorship program-a 14-week mentorship program that transitions DNP project papers to publication ready manuscripts

• Annual conference every October

• Virtual commencement June & December

• DOCs international collaborative group

• Speaker series

o DOC talks speaker series-highlighting DOC subject matter experts

o Future DOC talks-student speaker series

o DiMENsions in nursing-speaker/education series highlighting men in nursing

• Leadership opportunities

o 6-committees (research, social media/marketing, programming, governance, finance/fundraising)

o Advisory Board

o Board of Directors

• Scholarships

^o Annual gala professional development scholarships

o Annual conference registration scholarships

o The Black Angels Scholarship Fund

Partnership opportunities

• Co brand

• Collaboration on educational and programming

• Sponsorship

• Scholarships

PAs for Latino Health

Our very own Brittany Scurto, PA-C, MMS was instrumental in our partnership with PAs for Latino Health (PALH). They were kind enough to send Paola Gonzalez, MPAS PA-C from Houston, Texas where she practices in Breast Medical Oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is a first-generation immigrant from Colombia who has more than 20 years of experience with Latino populations, health promotion and disparities. More recently she became a Director at Large for the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA). She is the immediate past President for PALH, a Caucus of the AAPA. She has an impressive list of credentials. I invite you to follow her, support her initiatives, and help increase access to diversity in medical language. Spanish is no longer a foreign language, it is a dominate language in the United States, a trend that is expected to continue as the demographics of the Latino community continue to outpace other ethnicities. It is imperative that we provide access to trained interpreters, consents in Spanish (and the appropriate language for the consenting party), and eliminate language barriers to recruitment and participation in clinical research.

PAs for Latino Health is for everybody! The purpose of PALH is to render loyal and honest service to the medical profession and the public, to develop continuing medical or medically related education programs, and to promote the Physician Associate (Assistant) (PA) profession through the education of medical professionals and the general population. Furthermore, PALH strives to support the mission of AAPA by increasing the diversity of the Academy. PALH began over 30 years ago. The official translation for PA in Spanish is Asociado Médico adopted in 1998 by AAPA.

PALH is transitioning to use “physician associate” when possible, to reflect the 2021 AAPA House of Delegates resolution. PAs should continue to use “physician assistant” or “PA” as their official legal title in a professional capacity, particularly in clinical settings and with patients. For more information, please visit AAPA’s Title Change FAQs.

PALH Benefits & Resources:

-Mentorship, including virtual opportunities

-PALH/LGBT PA Student Leader Fellowship

-Scholarships, grants, loans, loan repayment for rural health professions

-Advocacy/Legislative and DEI, CME, Membership & Public Relations, Mentorship, Scholarship and Mentorship Program Committees

-Affiliations with professional health programs

-Career Center

Membership

Here are some of the ways in which PALH is working to meet your needs:

• Developed and implemented a uniform Spanish translation of “Physician Assistant/Associate” to “Asociado Médico”.

• Sponsors educational programs on Latino topics at the AAPA’s Annual PA Conference.

• Supports PA students through the PALH scholarship fund

• Supports diversity through our formal HHS approved Pre-PA Mentorship Program

• Provides a newsletter, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Linked in and Facebook page for the membership which serves as a valuable source of information relating to both PAs and patients of Latino heritage.

• Conducts membership business meetings bimonthly virtually and then annually in hybrid format during the AAPA’s Annual PA Conference.

• It provides a website that provides members with access to the most current information regarding PALH activities, benefits, and opportunities.

• Sponsors fundraising and social activities at the AAPA’s Annual Conference to provide money for PA student scholarship.

• In collaboration with AAPA, assisted Academia de Asociado Médicos de Puerto Rico to be established as a caucus so that they could support the PA community and work on policies that will allow PA’s to provide care to the Islands population.

• Ongoing networking with other AAPA caucuses. Established voting delegate in AAPA HOD for PALH.

• Mentorship Program for all members.

‍

Gender and Racial Disparities in the C-Suite of Medicine

Through our partnership with PALH, we were introduced to Dr. Brenda Diaz, DMSc, PA-C. She currently resides in Texas, but graduated from the City University of New York/City College/Harlem Hospital Physician Assistant Program in 1989. She received her Master of Science from A.T. Still University in Meza, Arizona (2009), and her Doctor of Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, VA (2020). Her doctoral research was titled, 'Competency-Based Longitudinal Faculty Development: A Theoretical and Practical Framework.'

She gave a phenomenal presentation titled, Gender and Racial Disparities in the C-Suite of Medicine. We technically didn’t have a key note speaker, but in my opinion, this was it! Dr. Diaz highlighted some important yet, unfortunate statistics. When it comes to gender and racial disparities in the C-Suite of Medicine:

- Men occupy nearly 70% of senior leadership positions

- Most CEO positions (85%), COO positions (71%), and CFO positions (77%) are filled by men

She introduced me to the “broken rung” phenomenon which represents systemic and cultural issues that prevent women from moving outside of entry-level management roles. She did a beautiful job defining and discussing the presence and power of intersectionality which describes the way multiple identities intersect and influence the way we experience life. Kimberlé Crenshaw, JD, LL.M is accredited with coining the term originally used to describe bias and violence against black women, but has since been more widely used to address LGBTQ issues, among others. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has been a professor of law for nearly 40 years where she graces the halls at the University of California Los Angeles UCLA) and Columbia University. I invite you to hear directly from her on the origin, intention of the term, and how it’s evolved over the last thirty years.

In addition to discussing intersectionality, Dr. Diaz discussed the Minority Tax, Gratitude Tax, Imposter Syndrome, Power Distance, Distance Traveled, restrictive institutional policies required for promotion, and strategies to overcome these barriers.

‍

Flash Pass to Integrative Medicine

Integrative Medicine is gaining popularity amongst consumers and you’re seeing that reflected in the number of clinicians obtaining appropriate education and training. We recently released our new SKINtegrative series which includes our very own Tracee Blackburn, PA-C, MSIM and Brittany Scurto, PA-C, MMS. During the DID 2024 Conference they were joined by Dr. Karen Johnson, MD, an Integrative Gynecologist in Chicago, Illinois. Tracee talked how the glow within starts with healing from the inside-out and the Gut-Brain-Skin Axis. She taught about the different types of evidence-based probiotics available on the market for overall wellness. Then, she detailed the Integrative Dermatology Consultation which combines traditional history taking, patient education, and personalized treatment plan with complementary treatment options.

Brittany provided key insights and a strategy for successfully integrating these new approaches into the workflow in 15 minutes! By incorporating Integrative Medicine into your practice, you provide holistic care that is proactive (instead of reactive like conventional medicine), personalized, and lifestyle centered. Lifestyle medicine gives patients access to tools that have fewer barriers (food, sleep, outdoor activity), it addresses the patient’s primary concerns (stress, weight, sleep, pain), and increases trust and shared-decision making. Supporters of Integrative Medicine, myself included, love that it offers solutions that seek healing and to address the problem, not simply treat the symptoms.

Dr. Johnson was a delight to learn from and spend time with during the conference. She talked about, Ovulation Matters. By the end of her presentation, we had a broader understanding of how hormone fluctuations are similar during menopause and puberty. She changed the whole way I think about menopause which traditionally is thought of as a phase with a clear beginning and end. However, she noted that once you enter menopause you’re there for the rest of your life – which offers a shift in perspective in how menopause should be discussed and managed.

We learned about the four types of PCOS, and how the traditional and Integrative diagnosis and management approaches are similar and different. She concluded by discussing how hormone changes impact hair loss and growth. She’s thinking about having a bigger presence on social media. Message her, send words of encouragement, and tell her how important it is that the world hear from her on a regular basis to fill the gaps in knowledge (tell her I sent you!).

The 4 Types of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome):

-Insulin Resistance

-Inflammatory PCOS

-Post-pill PCOS

-Adrenal PCOS

‍

Negotiations: Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office or the Big Bonus

One of the most impactful lectures for the Attendees was given by Kristin Burton, MPAS, PA-C, CAQ-HM, CPAAPA, Negotiations: Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office or the Big Bonus. Kristin is the Founder of Strive Coaching and a dedicated PA specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine. She founded Strive Coaching to empower medical professionals with financial literacy, drawing from her own inspiring journey of paying off $161,000 in student loan debt and becoming a millionaire by age 31. Kristin has also been an adjunct faculty member at Franklin University and Butler University PA Programs, and served on the board of the Indiana Academy for Physician Assistants. Beyond her professional life, Kristin is a devoted wife and mother, enjoys traveling with her family, and is pursuing a WSET Level 3 Certification in wine tasting.

One of the most important investments we can make as medical professionals, is to understand financial literacy, money management, how to attain/secure assets, and estate planning. It is not something you will learn in school and is not restricted to only entrepreneurs and business owners. If you’re still a student reading this, I highly recommend using your breaks or gap years to learn as much as you can. There are a rich number of credible resources on the internet, but start with asking your network for recommendations. One of my favorite books to recommend is the Cashflow Quadrant, by Robert Kiyosaki, as a place to start shifting the way you thing about time and money.

In addition to be a captivating speaker and real-life role model, she offers:

-The Millionaires in Medicine Club (I am thinking about joining)

-Coaching (investing in a coach is one of the best things I did this year and it won’t be the last time)

-A blog full of actionable steps

-A scholarship (deadline ended July 1, 2024). Mark your calendar to apply next year!

‍

Career Lounge

One of the standout features of DID 2024 was the Career Lounge, which provided a space for emerging dermatology leaders to connect with seasoned professionals. This networking hub was instrumental in fostering mentorship opportunities, allowing attendees to gain valuable insights into career advancement and the importance of advocating for themselves in their practices. I am happy to announce we are bringing back the Career Lounge for DID 2025!

Achieve Program

During the Emerging Leaders' Forum, the Achieve Program participants from the 2023 Cohort were recognized for their achievements – myself included! The Achieve Program is a 12-month, online didactic program designed for NPs and PAs with less than three years of dermatology experience to develop their core practice and medical dermatology foundation. You receive a textbook, access to on-demand modules, pre- and post-test questions, and live sessions. The live sessions alternate between our Esteemed Faculty of dermatologists presenting a lecture and NP and PA mentors where you will find a safe space to ask questions ranging from patient care to negotiating your next contract. As a participant, you will be recognized at the following year’s conference! At the time of this writing, I’m happy to announce that rolling applications are now accepted! You can learn more and sign up here.

‍

Fireside Chat

The Fireside Chat was an intimate and candid conversation sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and hosted by two dynamic speakers, Cynthia Trickett, MPAS, PA-C and Kara Gooding, PA-C. I really enjoyed the tag team approach! This Fireside Chat was a gathering of a limited number of conference Attendees (you had to sign up in advance). We met in a private room with dining tables and had a lovely view of the San Antonio Riverwalk. We were served dinner and drinks while engaging in a dialogue with the presenters. The setup is slightly different than the main stage where you have to hold your questions until the end and where the speakers have to prioritize their time to meet the needs of the entire conference Attendees. I loved it and can’t wait to attend another one. Remember, it pays to sign up early!

‍

DID is not like any conference you’ve attended. The boutique, intimate setting of DID 2024 allowed for meaningful engagement between Attendees and speakers, making the learning experience more personalized and impactful. Participants left the conference with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of knowledge that they could immediately apply in their practices and personal lives. You can view the complete DID 2024 agenda by visiting here. I really enjoyed making valuable connections that extended beyond the conference and being able to engage with the Esteemed Faculty throughout the entirety of the conference, including having fun with them during our evening receptions!

DID 2025

Mark Your Calendars: March 27-30, 2025  

Where: Louisville Marriott Downtown, Louisville, KY

The rumors are true, registration is open for DID 2025 and we’re heading to Louisville, Kentucky which was recently named One of the Best Places to Visit by Travel + Leisure. The DID 2025 Conference will take place March 27-30, 2025 at the beautiful Louisville Marriott Downtown. When you register, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for one of three free workshops: surgery, aesthetics or dermoscopy.

Additionally, when you register for the conference, you’ll receive FREE access to our new SKINtegrative series featuring DID Leaders: Tracee Blackburn, PA-C, MSIM and Brittany Scurto, PA-C, MMS.

Fun Facts about Kentucky:

- Home of the famous Hot Brown sandwich

- Renowned for its Bourbon

- Birthplace of Muhammad Ali and home of the Muhammad Ali Center

- Beautiful riverfront parks

- Known for Louisville Slugger baseball bats

Be part of the change you want to see in dermatology! Register today and bring your friends. We hope to see you in Louisville!

We’ve already held our first contest where we asked people to guess our next location. Three lucky winners received complimentary registration. There will be plenty of opportunities to play and win big, but you have to follow and become a member to be notified when they are first announced. I invite you to become a member today, MDs, NPs, PAs, residents, and students are welcome. Membership is free!

‍

Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC

I am a nurse practitioner with a passion for writing, entrepreneurship, education, and mentorship. I created this blog to share my journey as source of motivation and as a blueprint as you embark on your journey. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to increasing access to dermatology education and clinical training for aspiring and practicing nurse practitioners. I invite you to view the mission and vision statement on the homepage to see how we can best partner to make our dreams align.

‍