A combination of eagerness and enthusiasm is what I felt as a new derm PA preparing to attend my very first SDPA Fall Conference. I can recall being so thrilled to have found a group of PAs who shared in the same passion for working in dermatology. I was eager to branch out, meet my peers, and learn from their experiences about life as a dermatology PA. That first conference and each fall since, I have left more knowledgeable than when I arrived, ready to tackle challenging cases back at work, and energized and motivated about my profession.

While you are at your next SDPA conference catching up with familiar friends and colleagues, be sure to take notice of anyone new around you. They very well could be PA students or new derm PAs attending their first conference. Take a few moments to introduce yourself and share any insights that you feel may be valuable. Imparting our passion and enthusiasm is a great way to motivate new derm PAs about their future profession.

I look forward to seeing old friends and colleagues and making new ones at the upcoming SDPA conferences. I hope to see you there.

As you already may know, Camp Discovery is organized by the American Academy of Dermatology, and is a wonderful cause. Contributions help to defray the cost so that more children will have the opportunity to attend the camp. The camp is a place where children with severe skin diseases can have fun, be with other children who have similar conditions, and at the same time receive medical supervision.  Some children are in wheelchairs and some will have considerably shortened life spans.  All of the children need our love.

My wish is that more dermatology practices around the country would offer to their patients an opportunity of giving to the Camp. Offices could organize a bike ride, a run, a walk, a golf tournament, a tennis tournament, or some creative event to which people could contribute. I truly believe that if many of our offices were to do this, we could quickly have a generous endowment that would keep the Camp going for years to come. Now that would be a wonderful accomplishment - a wonderful dream come true, a true gift for these amazing children.

I thank my sweet daughter Julie for teaching me this very important lesson.