Elevate-Derm West Conference 2024 Recap

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The Elevate Derm West Conference, held at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, offered 3 and a half days of cutting-edge dermatology education, clinical insights, and networking opportunities. This year’s conference also featured The Sun Bus Dermatology Tour with volunteers offering free skin exams and sun safety tips to the local community.

The first day of the conference started with Whitney High, MD, from the University of Colorado with educational sessions focusing on "Pearls and Pitfalls for Dermatology APPs," offering key advice on biopsy quality and techniques, such as shaving intact bullous pemphigoid blisters for better diagnosis. Following this, Maya Thosani, MD, delivered insights on managing non-melanoma skin cancer, highlighting alternatives to excision for keratoacanthomas and discussing retinoids, intralesional treatments, and photodynamic therapy. A panel with High, Veronica Richardson, PA-C, and Mark Gimbel, MD, addressed challenging cases, emphasizing the importance of genetic testing in a melanoma diagnosis and the management of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Later, Gimbel deepened the discussion on melanoma staging and the AJCC system as the gold standard for prognostic evaluation. The afternoon also saw Jennifer Hsaio, MD, a hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) expert, discuss micronutrient supplementation and practical approaches to HS, including punch drainage for abscesses. Eileen Cheever, PA-C, introduced the role of artificial intelligence in dermatology, particularly its use in detecting suspicious pigmented lesions, and lectures were concluded for the day.

Day 2 began with a session by Suneel Chilukuri, MD, on cosmetic treatments for medical dermatologists. He covered azelaic acid and licorice extract for hyperpigmentation, as well as collagen induction therapy for scars. Douglas DiRuggiero, PA-C, followed with an insightful lecture on the risks and benefits of corticosteroids in dermatology, urging clinicians to consider cumulative steroid exposure. The afternoon focused on chronic urticaria and its impact on quality of life, with Jason Hawkes, MD, and Hsaio offering treatment strategies. Hawkes and James Song, MD, discussed cutaneous manifestations of immune checkpoint inhibitors, concluding the day by highlighting the importance of recognizing and managing skin side effects in cancer patients.

Day 3 continued with advanced sessions, including Hawkes and Song tackling challenging cases of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Lisa Swanson, MD, shared pediatric dermatology pearls, such as an effective regimen for treating facial eczema in children. Another highlight of day 3 was the presentation of the Stead Silver Ford Award, a yearly tradition that honors founders in the NP and PA professions. This year’s award went to Margaret Bobonich, FNP-C, with a $2000 donation made in her honor to the Cutaneous Medicine Education Foundation. In the afternoon, Ash Marghoob, MD, led a series of dermoscopy lectures, teaching attendees how to spot malignant melanoma and other skin conditions using dermatoscopes. Jenny Murase, MD, wrapped up the day with a discussion on dermatoses in pregnancy and the safety of biologic treatments during pregnancy.

The 4th and final morning featured Murase’s lecture on dermatologic care for new mothers, emphasizing the benefits of breastfeeding. Swanson followed with more pediatric pearls, including recommendations for sun-sensitive conditions in children. Murase concluded the conference with a session on safe treatments for pregnant patients with psoriasis, highlighting the safety of anti-TNF biologics.

The conference concluded with heartfelt farewells among friends and colleagues, as attendees expressed their eagerness to apply their newly acquired knowledge to improve their clinical practices. The Elevate-Derm West conference proved to be a highly educational and engaging event for dermatology professionals across the country.