“Exceeding the Vision:” DNA Annual Convention Preview

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Any views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and/or participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of The Dermatologist or HMP Global, their employees, and affiliates.

Dermatology health care professionals, such as nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and medical assistants, are invaluable in the dermatology office. These key professionals work closely with the dermatologist and have extensive job responsibilities. They must have the knowledge to care for patients with a variety of dermatologic conditions, including autoimmune, immunologic, and infectious diseases; wounds; and skin cancer, as well as those undergoing surgical procedures.

The Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA) is a professional nursing organization comprised of a diverse group of individuals committed to quality care through sharing knowledge and expertise. The core purpose of the DNA is to promote excellence in dermatologic care. Members work with board-certified dermatologists in offices, outpatient facilities, hospitals, and other settings. The DNA will host its 42nd Annual Convention at the San Diego Town and Country Resort in San Diego, CA, March 6–9, 2024, with the theme of “Exceeding the Vision.” The meeting will offer in-person educational and networking activities, providing dermatology staff with continuing education to promote patient care excellence.

Nursing continuing education is instrumental to improve competencies and enhance professional development, which translates into a higher quality of care. The DNA is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation. Attendees may earn up to 18 ANCC continuing-education hours for the main convention sessions and up to 12 ANCC continuing-education hours for the Nurse Practitioner Forum sessions offered March 7–8, 2024, which include pharmacotherapeutics. Presentations will focus on several educational tracks, such as professional development, research, surgical care, cutaneous oncology, medical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, and aesthetics.

The DNA Program Planning Committee worked diligently to re-cruit experts for oral presentations to fulfill the educational needs of DNA members and convention attendees. Some of the high-lights of the convention’s general sessions include:

• Keynote address: “A Joyous Walk Through the Biologic Landscape,” Robert E. Kalb, MD
   
• The Robin Weber Symposium: “Immunology—Hidradenitis Suppurativa,” Joslyn Sciacca Kirby, MD 

• “Pediatric Dermatology: Infectious Disease Update,” Shelia Fallon Friedlander, MD
   
• “Super Ceuticals—The Science and Fiction Behind the Compounds We Use in Aesthetic Dermatology,” Amanda Norton, DNP, FNP-C, DCNP
   
• “Navigating the Biosimilar Boom in Dermatology (and beyond),” Leigh Ann Pansch, MSN, DCNP
   
• “Dermatology Care for the LGBTQIA+ Patient,” Victoria Lazareth, MA, MSN, NPOC, DCNP
   
• “DermPath 100,” Maria Robinson, MD
   
• “Grassroots Dermatology: Promoting Your Practice in a Saturated Market,” Patricia Delgado, DNP, ANP-C, DCNP, and Amanda Norton, DNP, FNP-C, DCNP
   
• “At-Risk Skin: 21 Consensus Statements from the Coalition for At-Risk Skin,” Noreen Heer Nicol, PhD, RN, FNP, NEA-BC, and Edna Edwards Atwater, BSN, RN
   
• “Vascular & Arterial Conditions,” Jessica Simmons, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CWON, DNC 
  
  The convention will conclude with 3 core curriculum work-shops on March 9, 2024. Dermoscopy will be offered as a full-day workshop, chaired by Harold S. Rabinovitz, MD; Kendall Buchan-an, MD; Margaret Oliviero Rabinovitz, MSN, APRN; and Margaret Bobonich, DNP, FNP-C, DCNP, FAANP. Cutaneous Surgery will also be offered as a full-day workshop, chaired by Victoria Laza-reth, MA, MSN, NPOC, DCNP. Aesthetics will be offered as a half-day workshop, chaired by Blake Bryant, DNP, FNP-C, DNC, and Amanda Norton, DNP, FNP-C, DCNP.

The exhibit schedule has been designed to provide sufficient time for attendees to meet and learn from pharmaceutical representatives about new treatments in dermatology and speak with representatives about new products and services. Nursing and commercial posters will be available to review in the exhibit hall.

To promote excellence in dermatologic care, the DNA would like to request that dermatologists support their staff in attend-ing the 42nd Annual Convention. Whether you are in an academic institution or private practice, this convention will enhance your staff members’ knowledge and improve overall job satisfaction.