Empowerment, Education, and Advocacy for NPs and PAs

Heather Gates, PA-C, a presenter at this year’s Fall Clinical PA/NP Conference in Orlando, Florida, has been practicing dermatology for over 15 years and is now at The Dermatology Institute and Skin Cancer Center in The Villages, Florida. Gates spoke to Dermatology Times about her passion for continued learning, professional support, and legislative reform in the PA/NP space. First, she highlighted the immense value of attending PA/NP-focused dermatology meetings and conferences.

“You are learning from the best of the best,” Gates emphasized, citing the presence of industry leaders like “the godfather of psoriasis” Mark Lebwohl, MD, and even top PA/NP presenters. These events, she noted, provide opportunities to absorb cutting-edge knowledge and bring it back home to elevate patient care across diverse practice settings.

Beyond clinical education, Gates addressed a pressing issue facing advanced practice providers: legislative barriers. In many states, restrictive laws prevent PAs and NPs from practicing to the full extent of their training, which limits access to dermatologic care in underserved areas. She applauded the ongoing work of advocacy leaders, particularly Christina Clark, PA-C, of The Florida Academy of PAs, who is spearheading efforts to eliminate outdated restrictions and improve access for patients in both rural and urban communities.

Gates also shared what she hopes more colleagues in the field understand about the PA role. Working collaboratively with 2 supportive physicians, she practices with significant autonomy and maintains her own patient panel. She values the partnership with her colleagues and stresses the importance of mentorship and support, especially within the PA/NP community.

Reflecting on her own journey, Gates emphasized the need for experienced clinicians to serve as resources for those early in their careers. Even after 15 years, Gates continues to make new connections at conferences, lift up her peers, and provide guidance as a mentor to early-career physicians.

“It's really important, I think, if you are newer in the field to create that community to reach out to and work together and collaborate and help each other,” Gates concluded. “That's how I got to where I am now, so other people deserve that as well.”

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