Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF)
Founded in 2015, the Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) is the charitable arm of the Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA). As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, DPAF is dedicated to improving patient care through scholarships, educational initiatives, research support, and philanthropic programs that expand access to care and raise awareness of dermatologic conditions. By empowering Dermatology PAs with meaningful opportunities to learn, serve, and give back, DPAF helps strengthen the profession while making a lasting impact on the patients and communities they serve.
Today, DPAF's programs include Medical Mission Scholarships, Research Support Grants, Talks in a Box, Free Skin Checks, and other initiatives that promote education, outreach, and equitable access to dermatologic care.
DPAF expands access to dermatologic care for the more than 40% of Americans living in communities underserved by dermatologists.
DPAF helps bridge the provider gap where there are only about 3.4 dermatologists for every 100,000 people.
DPAF reduces barriers to care by bringing dermatology services to patients facing financial, geographic, and transportation challenges.
DPAF connects uninsured and underinsured patients with essential skin health services they might otherwise go without.
How Can I Donate to DPAF?
You can donate as an individual or as part of an organization. Every donation helps empower DermPAs to advance dermatology care and make a positive impact on patients' lives.
How Do I Become a DPAF Partner?
By becoming a DPAF sponsor, your organization will have the chance to support vital programs, including medical missions, free skin cancer screenings, and scholarship for DermPAs™ to further their expertise, all while gaining valuable exposure to a dedicated and engaged audience. Your sponsorship will not only help advance our mission but also showcase your company’s commitment to patient care and community wellbeing.
We would love to discuss how we can customize a sponsorship package that aligns with your company’s values and goals. Together, we can create a lasting impact and make a difference in the communities that need it most. Please email Amber Falls at afalls@dermpa.org.
Medical Mission Scholarships
Would you like to extend the impact of dermatology beyond your clinic walls by bringing essential care, education, and compassion to underserved communities? Apply for a DPAF Medical Mission Scholarship.
Whether your mission is local or international, DPAF is committed to supporting efforts that improve access to dermatologic care where it is needed most. The selected recipient will have one year from the date of the award to complete their mission and utilize the scholarship funds.
Scholarship Award: $2,000
Applications are accepted each spring. Be sure to follow SDPA for announcements about the upcoming application cycle, including application deadlines and eligible mission dates.
Research Support Grants
As DermPAs, we can participate as principal investigators in research and be more involved in medicine with these avenues of opportunity. DPAF Research Support is dedicated to you, the DermPA, to push the boundaries of dermatological understanding and innovation.
With a grant supported by DPAF, we make it our mission to fund groundbreaking research projects, foster collaborations, and empower you, the DermPA, to make significant contributions to the medical field of dermatology. Apply today and join this undertaking to improve patient care, enhance scientific discovery, and shape dermatological research's future through the DermPA's eyes.
DPAF encourages and provides resources for PAs to get involved in research. For example, you can submit a case report to a journal or collaborate with other PAs interested in publication through the SDPA.
How Can a DermPA Become Involved in Research?
Clinical Trial Training
- Good Clinical Practice Certification
- Research Training Programs (ACRP, Academia, CCRPS
Further Education
- Master of Clinical Research
- Project Management Certificate
Experience
- Shadowing Clinical Research Coordinators
- Research Nurses, Project Managers & Pharmacists
- Sub-Investigators & Investigators
- Identify a research mentor
Avenues
- Become a qualified site for Clinical Trials
- Original Research
- Join a Research Team
- Explore non-traditional PA role
Interested in applying for a research grant?
One of the main missions of the DPAF is to fund grants for research and community outreach. If you are interested in a research grant? Contact Amber Falls at afalls@dermpa.org.
Talks in a Box - Community Outreach
Medicine is a service profession, and as Physician Assistants, we are all called to provide medical services to our communities. But PAs also value and are invested in serving our communities. Our Talks in a Box program will allow DermPAs to easily access presentations on common dermatology conditions that can be presented within their community.
Our current presentations cover:
- Adolescent Acne
- Adult Acne
- Psoriasis
- Sun Safety 101
- Rosacea
If you are interested in any of these topics, email Amber Falls at afalls@dermpa.org for links to our presentations.
Free Skin Checks
Regular skin cancer screenings play a vital role in the early detection, helping reduce the risk of complications and improving health outcomes. As skin cancer rates continue to rise, routine screenings are an important part of proactive skin health and prevention.
In partnership with the SDPA Summer and Fall Conferences, DPAF proudly provides free skin cancer screenings for hotel employees and members of the local community. These screenings not only offer an opportunity for early detection but also provide valuable skin cancer education, helping reach individuals who may not otherwise have the time or resources to see a dermatology provider.
Our team consisted of nurses, pharmacists, Turkish doctors, dentists and volunteers from the Hatay area of Turkey where the earthquake struck earlier this year. We visited tents were families of all ages were living. Most with URI, skin rashes, sunburns and GI upset. The best experience was allowing two mothers hear their baby’s heartbeat for the first time. We would arrive and see the children run to our van excited for us to play soccer and color. It was truly an honor to be welcomed into their homes with open arms. They would offer tea as gratitude. It was truly a magical place and hope to work another mission with the IMR and possibly in Turkey again in the future.
Past DPAF Events
Free Public Skin Cancer Screening with DPAF & The Sun Bus
DPAF and The Sun Bus offered free skin cancer screenings on November 14, 2024, at The Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
DPAF partnered with The Sun Bus for an impactful initiative – a public skin cancer screening event. This collaborative effort underscored our commitment to promoting skin health and early detection of skin cancer within the community. At this free event, individuals had the opportunity to undergo comprehensive skin cancer screenings conducted by qualified professionals. Our collective aim was to raise awareness, provide education, and empower the public with knowledge about skin health. Together with The Sun Bus, we aspired to make a meaningful impact in the fight against melanoma and other skin cancers.
Morning Breathwork Fundraiser: Zen for DPAF
DPAF hosted a morning breath work fundraiser where individuals could start their day with morning breath work to help alleviate stress.
DermPAs joined DPAF for rejuvenating yoga sessions in the serene landscapes of San Diego while contributing to the noble cause of DPAF's mission. Participation not only promoted personal well-being but also fueled the commitment to making a positive difference.