Join SDPA on Tuesday, April 14 at 8pm EST as we welcome William P Scherer, DPM, MS for an overview of onychodystrophy, onychomycosis, subjective vs objective diagnosis, evidenced based medicine, differential diagnosis, geriatrics, statistics, SEM imaging, diagnostic testing, nail unit biopsy, proper specimen collection technique, Review of diagnostic tests: DTM, KOH, fungal culture, PAS, GMS, FM, DNA (PCR assay), and office algorithm.

Participants will:
1.) Improving diagnostic skills for Onychodystrophy and Onychomycosis
2.) Improving patient outcomes with proper nail specimen collection technique and laboratory testing
3.) Understand differences between PAS, GMS, FM stain vs KOH Prep and Fungal Culture

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 4/14/2026 to 4/14/2026. AAPA reference number: CME-2015471.

View SDPA webinar with Jesse Keller, MD to learn the art of building rapport and treating with highly effective medical management.

Participants will: 1.) appreciate that building trust with empathy, validation, and respect for autonomy is of paramount importance to engage in definitive treatment 2.) identify clinical evaluations that may be helpful in identifying contributory conditions 3.) articulate an appropriate therapeutic algorithm and monitoring strategy in the treatment of MD/DI 

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 3/10/2026 to 3/9/2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. AAPA reference number: CME-2015247.

This is a recording of a SDPA webinar that took place on Thursday, February 19 at 8pm EST. Please join SDPA as we welcome Jennifer Conner, PA-C to discuss CSU! 

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

1. Discuss pathophysiology of urticaria, recognizing differentiation between autoallergic and autoimmune subtypes.

2. Identify diagnostic strategies to classify urticarial subtypes, with focus on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).

3. Discuss stepwise management approach to urticaria with first-line, advanced, and emerging therapeutic agents.

4. Discuss disease burden and quality of life considerations in patients with urticaria.

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 2/19/2026 to 2/18/2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. AAPA reference number: CME-2015269.

Are labs necessary when evaluating a patient with hair loss? And if so, what? Hayden Middleton DMSc, PA-C and Erin Monahan DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-Derm discuss their recent publication in the JDPA, “Expert consensus recommendations on appropriate serological testing for the chief complaint of alopecia”. They’ll cover what inspired this project, how their author team used the eDelphi method to write the consensus statements and collaborated to form the guidelines, and how interested PAs may get involved in research and publication.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

1. Outline basic methodological approach to consensus guideline projects. 

2. Compare signs and symptoms associated with scarring and nonscarring alopecia. 

3. Choose the appropriate evidence-based initial serological work-up for a presenting alopecia. 

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 2/18/2026 to 2/17/2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. AAPA reference number: CME-2015191.

The Laser Therapies for Medical Dermatology webinar will introduce attendees to laser treatments that may help improve their patients' dermatologic conditions.  We will discuss a variety of medical conditions, such as tattoo allergy, folliculitis, keloids, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, and vascular malformations, that can be treated safely and effectively with lasers in the dermatology setting.  Risks, benefits, and other treatment considerations will be discussed, as well as methods to help support the physician associate to obtain authorization from insurers if they are offering these therapies. 

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

1. Describe the conditions in medical dermatology that can benefit from lasers.

2. Discuss laser treatment risks, benefits, complications, and consent.

3. Discuss patient expectations when receiving laser therapy for dermatologic medical conditions.

4. Discuss pearls for authorization of laser for dermatologic medical conditions.

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid 1/21/2026-1/20/2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

AAPA reference number: CME-2015176

Vitiligo and alopecia areata present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, as well as profound psychosocial impacts on patients. This 1-hour webinar will review key clinical features and diagnostic clues to distinguish these disorders from their mimickers, outline evidence-based treatment approaches, and highlight emerging therapies. Attendees will also gain practical strategies for counseling patients on prognosis, treatment expectations, and long-term management. 

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

1. Describe the clinical features, epidemiology, and psychosocial impact of vitiligo and alopecia areata.

2. Differentiate these disorders from their key clinical mimickers using history, exam, and diagnostic tools.

3. Develop treatment plans for vitiligo and alopecia areata.

4. Counsel patients effectively about prognosis, treatment expectations, and emerging therapies.

5.  Learn about the impact of advocacy and legislation on clinical outcomes, including patient access to medications, treatment adherence, disease progression, and overall quality of life.

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid 12/18/25-12/17/26. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. AAPA reference number: CME-2014802

This 1-hour session explores the immunological cells and cytokines involved in common dermatological conditions, helping attendees understand how these conditions interrelate. As a follow-up to Introduction to Immunology, participants are encouraged (but not required) to review that webinar to better grasp the terminology and concepts discussed.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

1. After participating in this webinar, attendees should be able to understand key immunological cells involved in common derm conditions.
2. After participating in this webinar, attendees should be able to understand key cytokines involved in common derm conditions.
3. After participating in this webinar, attendees should be able to group common derm conditions together according to the predominant cell type (Th1-, Th2- Tc- mediated) involved in the immunopathology.
4. After participating in this webinar, attendees should be able to understand genetic and environmental factors that instigate or influence pathology, and/or predispose patients to common derm conditions, where appropriate.

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from October 16, 2025, to October 15, 2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

AAPA reference number: CME-2014448

Join Dr. Shannon Trotter while we explore the link between obesity and psoriasis and learn how a multidisciplinary approach can improve patient care—plus, hear from Homeland Security’s Nicole Johnson on the dangers of counterfeit drugs and how to protect patients through safe prescribing practices. This webinar will be 1 hour.

• Learn the metabolic state of obesity and its role in systemic inflammation.
• Review the reciprocal relationship between obesity and psoriasis.
• Discuss the mental health impact of psoriasis and obesity on body image and self-esteem.
• Present nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions to improve obesity and psoriasis.
• Learn about Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center / Homeland Security Investigations and our role in the fight against counterfeit and substandard medications.
• Review of the dangers of counterfeits and substandard medications.
• Learn how to educate themselves and their patients on safe purchasing practices to prevent patient harm and misdiagnosis.

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from September 18, 2025, to September 17, 2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

AAPA reference number: CME-2014345

This 1-hour webinar will review climate change and environmental issues through the lens of dermatology. Starting with a brief discussion of climate science, then rapidly transitioning to a high level look at how climate change is impacting medicine and health, before spending the bulk of the session looking at the impacts of climate change on dermatology. The session will conclude with some references, tips, tricks, and pearls for integrating sustainability into practice. 

This webinar will reference the following article, Climate Change, Cutaneous Disease, and the Dermatology Provider by Belzer, Annika BS; Rosenbach, Misha MD, published in JDPA. Click here to access the full article: Journal of Dermatology for Physician Assistants.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

1. Review basics of climate change
2. Understand broad impacts of climate change on health and medicine
3. Discuss climate change and its dermatological impacts
4. Understand how to integrate sustainability into practice

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from August 28, 2025, to August 28, 2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. AAPA reference number: CME-2014242.

Outside the Clinic: How Derm PAs Are Expanding Their Impact

Distance Medical Education Committee Co-Chair, Michael Rubio interviews Michelle Gough, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA; Kathryn Fahlstrom, PA-C; Hayden Middleton, DMSc, PA-C to discuss how dermatology PAs who have built impactful careers beyond traditional clinical care—spanning pharma, education, and leadership. Attendees will learn how to apply their skills to new arenas shaping the future of the profession.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

• Describe at least three non-clinical career pathways available to dermatology PAs.
• Explain how clinical experience can be leveraged in pharmaceutical, academic, and leadership roles.
• Identify the steps required to transition into non-traditional positions while maintaining clinical relevance. 
• Evaluate how dermatology PAs are influencing healthcare delivery beyond direct patient care.

This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from July 17, 2025, to July 31, 2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

AAPA reference number: CME-2013983

How to claim CME credit:

• After watching the recording, complete the evaluation which unlocks the CME certificate.
• Click “Claim Medical Credits”.
• When the menu opens, click “Submit”.
• Click “View/Print Your Certificate” to save your CME certificate to your device.
• Your CME certificate is now available in your Dashboard and transcript.