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Marie Bosslett is the assistant editor of 

 and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in October 2024. She attended Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with minors in marketing and writing. When she’s not writing, Marie enjoys going to concerts, reading on the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

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Catch up on coverage from the third day of the 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference for PAs and NPs held in Orlando, Florida.

Day 3 Recap: Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference for PAs and NPs 2025

Discover innovative strategies for AK treatment from Darrell Rigel, MD, MS, at the latest Fall Clinical PA/NP conference.

Darrell Rigel, MD, MS, on Real-World Advancements in Actinic Keratosis Management

Discover the latest advancements in aesthetics as Heather Gates, PA-C, shares innovative techniques and emerging technologies from this groundbreaking workshop.

Heather Gates, PA-C, Leads Inaugural Aesthetics Workshop at Fall Clinical PA/NP

Maddi Hebebrand is an associate editor of 

and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in May 2024. She attended Baldwin Wallace University, studying Media Production and Film, and received her Masters in Digital Media from Ohio University. When she's not writing, Maddi loves to read, attend concerts and spend time with her family. 

Ben Lockshin, MD, FAAD, covered ways in which GLP-1 RA's can be utilized when treating psoriatic disease.

GLP-1s Emerging as Adjunct Tools in Psoriasis

Dermatology Times connects dermatology professionals with key skin disorder coverage, therapeutic strategies, clinical trial updates, and expert insights.

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Sarah Allen, MD, is the founder, CEO, and Chief Clinical Officer of Skin Clique.

Sarah Allen, MD's Skin Clique has launched a virtual Esthetician Program, providing personalized skincare consultations and bridging access to expert guidance for all patients.

Q&A: Sarah Allen, MD, Unveils Skin Clique’s Virtual Esthetician Program

Final Thoughts: The Importance of Comparative Studies in AD

Panelists offer concluding insights and emphasize the critical role of comparative studies in advancing atopic dermatitis treatment strategies.

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To stay informed with the latest conference insights,

Fall Clinical PA/NP 2025: Familiar Faces to Dermatology Times

Discover expert insights and practice management tips at the Fall Clinical PA/NP Conference in Orlando, featuring top dermatology professionals.

Interactive Learning Sets Fall Clinical Apart

Explore the latest insights in dermatology at the Fall Clinical PA/NP Conference, featuring experts like James Del Rosso, DO, and networking opportunities for PA NPs.

Clinical and Conference Insights from a Dermatology PA Leader

Jamie Restivo, PA-C, a board-certified dermatology physician assistant and current president of the Pennsylvania Dermatology Physician Assistants (PDPA), gave insights into the PA perspective.

Leave the Ladder Down: The Power of Mentoring

Lauren Miller, PA-C, MPAS, highlights the vital role of mentorship in dermatology, emphasizing its impact on professional growth and patient care at the Fall Clinical conference.

Practical Strategies for Harnessing AI and Social Media in Dermatology

In her presentation at Fall Clinical NP/PA, Heather Gates, PA-C, shared how professionals can enhance their practice using AI and social media, fostering authenticity and patient trust in a digital age.

Our editors are onsite and ready to gather your insights, both as a presenter or as an attendee! Reach out to us at

 for the opportunity to speak with one of our editors. Stay tuned to 

exclusive conference coverage and expert insights

The Fall Clinical PA/NP Conference in Orlando offers a platform for dermatology professionals to gain insights from experts and engage in interactive learning. Notable figures like James Del Rosso, DO, and Jamie Restivo, PA-C, provide valuable perspectives on practice management and the PA role in dermatology. The conference emphasizes the importance of mentorship, as highlighted by Lauren Miller, PA-C, MPAS, and explores the integration of AI and social media in dermatology, as discussed by Heather Gates, PA-C, to enhance practice authenticity and patient trust.

Catch up on coverage from the first day of the 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference for PAs and NPs held in Orlando, Florida.

Day 1 Recap: Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference for PAs and NPs 2025

At the 10th Annual Fall Clinical PA/NP Conference in Orlando, Florida

, Heather Gates, PA-C, a dermatology physician’s assistant from The Villages, Florida, shared her expertise on a timely and evolving topic: leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and social media to enhance clinical practice. With 15 years of experience in medical, surgical, cosmetic, and geriatric dermatology, Gates offered a blend of tech-savvy insights and real-world clinical relevance in her lecture.

Dermatology is especially intertwined with social media, given the visual nature of skin health. According to Gates, having an ethical online presence builds trust and credibility among patients while allowing clinicians to showcase their expertise and share evidence-based information. This is particularly essential in a world dominated by unlicensed “skinfluencers.”

Gates further emphasized the importance of strategic content creation, particularly on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where engagement metrics can significantly impact visibility. She advised using compelling hooks to capture viewers’ attention in the critical first few seconds of a video, as well as incorporating relevant hashtags to improve reach. Gates also reminded attendees that relatability is key.

“You need to be authentic and humanize yourself,” she told Dermatology Times. “Looking at a picture-perfect Instagram gets a little bit boring after a while. Your patients want to see the ‘real you’ online, not the ‘fake you’ online.”

A highlight of her talk was the discussion on AI, specifically the practical and responsible use of ChatGPT in a clinical setting. Gates shared how she uses the tool to create patient handouts, educational materials, and even prep for interviews or summarize research studies. She described AI as a powerful “productivity hack,” helping to streamline administrative tasks and enhance patient communication. However, she cautioned against relying on AI as a substitute for clinical knowledge. Instead, it should be viewed as an assistant that enhances, rather than replaces, human expertise.

Throughout her informative session, Gates encouraged clinicians to embrace new technologies and platforms like Canva, VisualDx, and Otter.ai, while staying grounded in their training and personal voice. She encouraged attendees to network, follow each other, share tips, and build a community online, especially those who are looking to modernize their practices without compromising authenticity or clinical excellence. Overall, thoughtful, intentional use of social media and AI can not only elevate individual careers but also uphold the integrity and professionalism of dermatology as a whole, according to Gates.

Looking for more conference coverage from industry leaders like Gates? Check out our 

 page to stay in the loop with what's new and improved in dermatology.

Heather Gates, PA-C, shared insights on integrating AI and social media into dermatology practice at a recent conference. She emphasized the importance of maintaining an ethical online presence to build trust and credibility, especially in a field influenced by visual content. Gates highlighted strategic content creation on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, stressing authenticity and relatability. She discussed AI tools like ChatGPT for enhancing productivity but warned against over-reliance. Gates encouraged embracing technology while maintaining clinical excellence and authenticity to elevate careers and uphold dermatology's integrity.

 conference, Lauren Miller, PA-C, MPAS, delivered a compelling presentation titled 

“Cultivating the Next Generation: How to Become a Mentor,”

 emphasizing mentorship as a foundational element of professional growth in clinical dermatology.

 Far from being a peripheral subject, Miller posited that mentorship is essential to closing the knowledge gap left by formal education and is key to strengthening the dermatology profession at large.

Miller’s central thesis is that mentorship should not be optional—it is necessary. She stressed that traditional schooling for PAs and NPs does not adequately prepare clinicians for the complexities of dermatologic care. Mentorship, therefore, serves a dual function: it bridges the educational divide and fosters continuity and trust within the clinical community. When seasoned professionals share their knowledge and experience with newcomers, it not only improves patient care outcomes but also contributes to standardizing high-quality practices across the field.

For mentees, the benefits of mentorship are numerous. It accelerates the clinical learning curve by offering real-time access to expert insights, provides networking opportunities otherwise unavailable to newer professionals, and boosts confidence in both clinical and interpersonal settings. Miller emphasized that confidence plays a vital role in patient interactions, and that patients often sense a provider’s self-assuredness—or lack thereof. A strong mentoring relationship can significantly contribute to a clinician’s sense of preparedness and assurance in clinical decision-making.

On the other side of the equation, mentors derive value from the relationship as well. Mentorship helps them maintain up-to-date knowledge and refines their clinical reasoning by requiring them to articulate and defend their practices. It also offers personal fulfillment and a renewed sense of purpose. Miller likened the act of mentoring to the joy of giving gifts, describing it as profoundly rewarding to watch someone else achieve a career goal thanks to one's guidance.

Importantly, Miller dispelled the notion that mentorship is reserved for elite or senior practitioners. She encouraged all professionals—regardless of title or years in practice—to consider mentoring, asserting that everyone has unique experiences and insights to offer. Accessibility is key; informal mentorship can be as simple as offering to review a resume, answer clinical questions via email, or introduce a colleague to a relevant industry contact.

She acknowledged, however, that mentorship does come with challenges. Time constraints and the potential for burnout are real concerns, particularly in demanding clinical environments. To address this, Miller advised prospective mentors to set clear expectations and boundaries from the outset. Mentorship need not be time-intensive or formalized; it can be flexible and shaped to fit the mentor’s capacity.

Miller also explored the ripple effect of mentorship, illustrating how one supportive interaction can reverberate through a mentee’s career and beyond. Using her own experience as an example, she recounted how a mentor’s early encouragement steered her toward specialization in psoriatic disease and opened leadership opportunities within the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA). Her trajectory, in turn, enabled her to mentor others—further amplifying the original act of support.

Concluding her presentation with the mantra “leave the ladder down,” Miller issued a call to action: choose 1 person this year to mentor, however informally. Likewise, she encouraged mentees to proactively seek guidance, noting that respect and admiration are often reciprocated with generosity and insight. Her parting advice, “You don’t get what you don’t ask for,” encapsulates the proactive mindset that both mentors and mentees must adopt to cultivate meaningful, career-advancing relationships.

In sum, Lauren Miller’s address underscored mentorship as not only a professional responsibility but also a strategic tool for cultivating a resilient, skilled, and compassionate clinical workforce. As the dermatology field continues to evolve, mentorship will remain a cornerstone of sustainable professional development and leadership cultivation.

1. Miller L. Cultivating the next generation: Becoming a mentor. Presentation at Fall Clinical PA/NP 2025 Conference; May 30-June 2, 2025; Orlando, Florida.

2. Hussain K, Patel N, Fearfield L, Roberts N, Staughton R. Mentorship in dermatology: a necessity in difficult times. 

 2022;47(3):622-623. doi:10.1111/ced.15071

Mentorship is crucial for professional growth in clinical dermatology, bridging the educational gap left by formal schooling. It enhances patient care, standardizes practices, and boosts clinician confidence. Mentors benefit by staying updated and finding personal fulfillment, while mentees gain expert insights and networking opportunities. Mentorship is accessible to all professionals, not just elites, and can be informal. Challenges like time constraints exist, but setting boundaries helps. Mentorship creates a ripple effect, amplifying support throughout careers. A proactive approach is essential for cultivating meaningful, career-advancing relationships.

In early 2025, significant changes in federal research funding policies have introduced uncertainty for the medical research community, including dermatology. These developments may impact clinical trials, translational research, and the training of future physician-scientists.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) implemented a policy capping indirect cost reimbursements at 15%, down from previous rates that often exceeded 50%.

 Although a federal judge temporarily blocked this policy following legal challenges, many institutions have already initiated hiring freezes, reduced graduate admissions, and paused research projects.

Effective January 25, 2025, the NIH introduced a simplified peer review framework for research project grants, fellowships, and training grants.

 These changes aim to streamline the application process and promote fairness by focusing on key assessments such as candidate potential and research training plans.

The NIH has ended funding for programs related to climate change and health, reflecting a shift in research priorities.

 Additionally, Notices of Funding Opportunities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and health disparities have been removed, raising concerns about the future direction of NIH-funded research.

Understanding how these federal funding changes affect the dermatology community is crucial. Your insights will help us gauge the real-world impact on research, clinical practice, and education.

Let us know your thoughts and experiences by answering our poll above and commenting on social media, or by writing to us at 

Clark D, Klumpp L. Understanding the NIH's new indirect cost rate policy: what nonprofit and higher education CFOs need to know. BDO Insights. Published February 25, 2025. Updated February 24, 2025. Accessed May 23, 2025. 

https://www.bdo.com/insights/industries/nonprofit-education/understanding-the-nih-s-new-indirect-cost-rate-policy-what-nonprofit-and-higher-education-cfos-need

Treisman R. Education: Universities across the US freeze hiring as federal funding hangs in the balance. All Things Considered. National Public Radio. March 12, 2025. Accessed May 23, 2025. 

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/12/nx-s1-5324496/universities-hiring-freezes-federal-funding

Announcing a simplified review framework for NIH research project grant applications. Northeastern University Research Enterprise Services. Published October 19, 2023. Updated January 29, 2025. Accessed May 23, 2025. 

https://nu-res.research.northeastern.edu/announcing-a-simplified-review-framework-for-nih-research-project-grant-applications/

Waldman A, Lerner S. NIH ends future funding to study the health effects of climate change. ProPublica. Published March 24, 2025. Accessed May 23, 2025. 

https://www.propublica.org/article/nih-funding-climate-change-public-health

Schwartz N. NIH prohibits new grant awards to colleges with DEI initiatives. Higher Ed Dive. Published April 23, 2025. Accessed May 23, 2025. 

https://www.highereddive.com/news/nih-prohibits-grants-dei-policies-colleges/746062/

Federal research funding policy changes in 2025 have introduced uncertainty for the medical research community, including dermatology. The NIH capped indirect cost reimbursements at 15%, leading to hiring freezes and paused projects. A simplified peer review framework was implemented to streamline grant applications. The NIH also ended funding for climate change and health programs, and removed funding opportunities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and health disparities. These shifts may significantly impact clinical trials, translational research, and the training of future physician-scientists.

Sarah Allen, MD

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