The PDA: It’s About Continuing Education Julie A. Hodge, M.D., M.P.H.

Conflict of Interest None PDA President

Introduction The PDA has a 60 year history of excellence Why is an organization like the PDA relevant in the 21st Century?

Topics of Discussion PDA membership provides formal and informal education opportunities through meeting program and social activities  Education of dermatologists is organization’s primary objective  Collegiality/networking

Education Dermatologists have the privilege of providing a wide variety of medical and surgical care This requires that we stay up to date in our knowledge and well trained in our skills

This is the primary purpose of the PDA No political agenda No commercial interests Meeting is not designed to make money for an individual, company, university department or to support any other agenda Education and the PDA

Content is controlled by the volunteer executive committee and the program chairman who is appointed by the committee

Education and the PDA Clinicopathologic correlation which is at core of dermatology training is a focus (CPC conference) Dermatologists have a unique microscopic visual understanding of the skin at a cellular level

Nickel/Winer Clinicopathologic Conference: A unique PDA “staple”

Education and the PDA Practical and cutting-edge presentations on a full range of medical and surgical dermatological topics

Ablative & Fractional Resurfacing Acne Vulgaris Antimicrobial Peptides Biologics Botox & Fillers Clinical Drug Trials Complex Medical Patients Contact Dermatitis Cosmetic Derm Cutaneous Lymphoma Derm Surgery Dermatologic Diseases of the Mouth Dermatologist-Patient Relationship Environmental Dermatoses Ethics Fractional Photothermolysis, Dermabrasion & Plasma Resurfacing Fungus Immunotherapy Lasers Medical/Surgical Pearls Melanoma Pediatric Derm Photoprotection Phototherapy Practice Management Psoriasis Reconstruction Skin Cancers & Actinic Keratosis Sun Safety Therapeutics and Drug Eruptions Therapies for Hair Loss Translational Research General Derm Overview

Collegiality/Networking A regional meeting gives you a chance to meet people in your area, especially if you did not train locally Stimulates interaction and an exchange of ideas between dermatologists from Pacific Rim Countries and US

Collegiality/Networking Relaxed social time verses overly scheduled lecture time often stimulates ideas Cocktail conversations often provide the most useful practice tips

David Taylor sharing some valuable “pearls” with me during a 2003 reception

Collegiality/Networking In the age still nice to have face to face direct contact Online education is more passive

Education of Young Derms Support and professional development opportunities for residents and young dermatologists

Bill Shellow with the PDA 2004 Resident Case Presenters Newport

Pat Engasser with a contingent of young derms from Singapore Vancouver (2005)

Collegiality/Networking PDA meeting length encourages some “stop out “ time from busy lives Easier to meet people in smaller settings like on the tennis court or golf course

Hey Ron, is it true that you have to be a good tennis player to be PDA President ?

Value Cost per CME credit is lowest around Reg FeeCMEsAmt/CME PDA$ $16.95 Cal Derm$29513$22.69 Pacific NW Derm $29512$24.58

What Attendees Say… The educational content was excellent. I enjoyed the discussions on surgical closures and the update on Botox and fillers. I prefer smaller meetings, like the PDA as it is much more relaxed and you can ask more questions. Kelli Arntzen, MD Seattle, Washington 18 years in practice

What attendees say… The educational content was quite comprehensive. The case reports presented during the Clinicopathologic Conference were interesting and valuable. Karen Stolman, MD Sandy, Utah 9 years in practice

What attendees say… A good range of topics covered by respected dermatologists in the field. I especially enjoyed the discussion of all the cases. Audrey Tan, MD Singapore 10 years in practice

Why be a “Card Carrying” PDA Member? Dues keep meeting registration fees down Shows commitment to educating your colleagues by contributing to the ongoing presence of the meeting even if you can’t attend every year Joining organizations show commitment to the profession

Summary The “Golden Age” of medicine wherein academics is revered and there is limited commercial pressure can be maintained if we continue to support organizations like the PDA whose main purpose is to serve its members’ ongoing educational needs.

Final Thought "Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself.“ -John Dewey

The PDA: It’s About Continuing Education Julie A. Hodge, M.D., M.P.H.