The 2025 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Fall Conference in San Antonio, Texas, served as a platform for important discussions surrounding mentorship and professional growth in the field. During an interview with the HCPLive team, Sarah Vicari, MMS, PA-C, the current president of SDPA, shared her insights on the conference and its significance for physician associates (PAs).
Vicari, who will hold her presidential position until July 2026, emphasized the importance of raising awareness for the Dermatology Physician Assistant Foundation (DPAF). “A lot of people don’t know it exists, and that kind of hurts my heart,” she remarked, expressing her commitment to increasing the foundation’s visibility. She highlighted the foundation’s role in funding medical missions and community outreach, as well as supporting research conducted by PAs, which can be published in the SDPA’s journal, The Journal of Dermatology for PAs (JDPA).
A key initiative introduced during the conference is the RISE Derm PA program, designed to foster mentorship among PAs. “It is our mentorship program,” Vicari explained. The program aims to connect aspiring PAs with experienced mentors through a matching system based on shared qualities and interests. “It’s basically where PAs can be matched, almost like a Match.com,” she elaborated, underscoring the program’s potential to enhance professional development.
In addition to mentorship, the conference featured various sessions highlighting advancements in dermatological practices. Vicari expressed particular enthusiasm for a session led by Dr. Gabriela Maloney, who will discuss the off-label use of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. “I think what I’m most excited about is with Dr. Gabriela Maloney,” Vicari noted. “She actually kind of came to my office once and said a little bit about it, and I said, ‘Have you ever done a lecture on that? Because that would be amazing.’”
As the conference unfolds, attendees are encouraged to engage in discussions that promote collaboration and innovation in dermatology. The insights shared by Vicari and other experts are expected to inspire new ideas and practices among PAs, ultimately benefiting patient care.
For more detailed coverage of the topics discussed at the 2025 SDPA Fall Conference, further information is available through the latest conference updates. The quotes used in this article were edited for clarity.
