Mentorship Program Launched at SDPA 2025 Fall Conference

The 2025 Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Fall Conference, held in San Antonio, Texas, showcased significant developments in mentorship and professional growth for physician associates (PAs). During an interview with HCPLive, Sarah Vicari, MMS, PA-C, the current president of SDPA, discussed the conference’s importance and unveiled various noteworthy sessions tailored for PAs.

Vicari, who will continue her leadership role until July 2026, expressed her commitment to raising awareness about the Dermatology Physician Assistant Foundation (DPAF). “A lot of people don’t know it exists, and that kind of hurts my heart,” she said. She aims to enhance the foundation’s visibility and encourage support for its mission, which includes funding medical missions and community outreach initiatives.

At the conference, Vicari emphasized the support provided by the SDPA for PAs wishing to conduct their own research. This research can be published in the SDPA’s official journal, The Journal of Dermatology for PAs (JDPA). Vicari highlighted the launch of the RISE Derm PA program, an innovative mentorship initiative designed to connect experienced mentors with aspiring PAs.

“It is our mentorship program,” Vicari elaborated. “It’s basically where PAs can be matched, almost like a Match.com, where you put in your qualities and what you like, and then they’re going to match somebody who wants to mentor someone with somebody who wants to be a mentee.” This approach aims to foster meaningful connections and professional development within the PA community.

Vicari also shared her enthusiasm for various conference sessions, particularly one led by Dr. Gabriela Maloney, focusing on the off-label use of JAK inhibitors. “I think what I’m most excited about is with Dr. Gabriela Maloney, and she is doing JAKs, off-label,” she noted. Vicari recalled how Maloney had previously discussed the topic during a visit to her office, prompting her to suggest a lecture that ultimately became part of the conference agenda.

The SDPA Fall Conference serves as a vital platform for PAs to enhance their knowledge and skills while promoting collaboration within the dermatology field. For more information on the topics discussed and the sessions available at the 2025 SDPA Fall Conference, interested individuals can view the latest coverage from the event.

The insights shared by Vicari reflect the ongoing efforts to support the professional development of PAs and elevate the presence of critical resources in the dermatology community.