From Patient to President: Amanda Caldwell, MSN, APRN-C, And Her Journey with SDNP

Amanda Caldwell, MSN, APRN-C, a dermatology nurse practitioner at US Dermatology Partners, has recently stepped into her role as president of the Society for Dermatology Nurse Practitioners (SDNP). With a passion for accessible health care and general dermatology, Caldwell brings both personal and professional motivation to her leadership. Having battled skin cancer at age 23, along with other dermatological conditions, her early experience with the specialty drove her commitment to dermatologic care. Caldwell’s vision as president centers on expanding access to high-quality education and career support, not just for nurse practitioners (NPs) but for physician assistants (PAs) as well.

“We're continuing to grow, and I want to be the home for NP dermatology practitioners, but also, we welcome our physician assistant friends too...we’re stronger together,” she emphasized.

Her team’s initiatives include offering free monthly webinars, comprehensive review courses, and new member engagement efforts as part of an SDNP rebrand. She is especially focused on listening to member needs and filling the gaps in the industry, whether it's helping find jobs, working with collaborators, or navigating practice authority.

Caldwell credits much of her professional growth to mentorship, particularly from Christy Parham, MD, MPH, MA, who encouraged her to become a provider, and Mark Fleischman, MD, FAAD, her collaborator at US Dermatology Partners. On a personal level, her mother remains a key source of inspiration. After the sudden loss of Caldwell’s father when she was 12 years old, her mother worked full time and earned a college degree while raising four children, instilling resilience and purpose in Caldwell’s journey.

Among the top issues facing dermatology NPs today, Caldwell identifies limited access to education, unequal pay, and difficulty finding employment in the specialty. She advocates for equal compensation, noting that many NPs practice independently in full practice authority states and manage complex conditions such as autoimmune diseases. Caldwell also aims to boost SDNP’s networking power to connect NPs with job opportunities. Through her leadership, SDNP hopes to reduce barriers and foster professional growth in dermatologic practice.

Above all, she is focused on building a supportive, inclusive home for dermatology NPs and PAs.
“To me, especially with patients and even myself, I think being relatable is important,” Caldwell said. “We're in this world together. Let's help each other out, and if someone knows I've kind of walked in their shoes, it definitely helps build some trust.”