SPD 2025: Bridging Research and Clinical Care

At the 50th Annual Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) meeting, co-chair Deepti Gupta, MD, a pediatric dermatologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington School of Medicine, shared her reflections on the goals and outcomes of this milestone event. Speaking with Dermatology Times, Gupta emphasized the importance of fostering both education and connection within the pediatric dermatology community.

A central focus of the meeting, according to Gupta, was striking a balance between clinically relevant insights and forward-looking research. “We wanted the conference to have clinical pearls that people can take back,” she said, “but also know what's up and coming in the research world and what may be on the horizon as far as therapeutics.” The meeting's programming was designed to help attendees better understand both the evolving scientific landscape and its practical implications for pediatric dermatology care.

The diversity of speakers and topics stood out as a major strength of this year’s event. “We have a nice diverse group of speakers—locally, internationally, younger speakers, as well as very seasoned members,” Gupta noted. The lineup included both clinical and research-focused experts representing a wide range of disease states and practice styles, fostering rich dialogue across perspectives. Alongside traditional didactic sessions, the meeting featured panel discussions, which provided space to explore clinical controversies and knowledge gaps in a collaborative format.

Beyond the educational content, Gupta highlighted the society’s emphasis on community. “Our organization is a robust, highly educated group that spans not only local and national communities, but also is part of a broader community,” she said. The meeting provided a venue for mentorship, networking, and professional development, reinforcing the SPD’s role as a cornerstone of the pediatric dermatology field.

Attendees were also encouraged to engage with the conference’s expansive poster sessions, which showcased cutting-edge research. Gupta emphasized that the SPD meeting serves as a space not just to learn, but to build long-term professional relationships and contribute to the future of the specialty.

As the SPD celebrates its 50th year, the meeting reflected the organization’s continued commitment to bridging clinical care with research innovation—while fostering a vibrant, collaborative community dedicated to the advancement of pediatric dermatology.