Diversity in Dermatology presents

The Achieve Program

A Core Practice Curriculum Advancing the Future of Dermatology PAs & NPs

Medical dermatology is the core and foundation of dermatology. Many patients seeking dermatology care are suffering from psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, acne, a rash, or an infection and are hopeful to see someone with experience that will treat their disease state and improve their quality of life. The Achieve Program was developed with this in mind. This program will help develop the core practice and medical dermatology foundation needed to improve patient outcomes, compliment on-the-job training, and enhance practices of dermatology PAs and NPs with less than 3 years of experience.

Diversity in Dermatology is invested in the future and education of dermatology PAs and NPs. It is our mission to assist in decreasing the gaps in core medical dermatology, to improve patient care and outcomes, and increase collaboration between PAs, NPs, and Dermatologists.

ALREADY REGISTERED CLICK HERE FOR ACHIEVE PORTAL ACCESS

Registration & Program Information

REGISTER TO SECURE YOUR SPOT FOR 2024

Achieve Program Agenda & Objectives

The Ideal Candidate

  • Dermatology Physician Associates and Nurse Practitioners with less than 3 years of dermatology experience.
  • Physician Associates and Nurse Practitioners with a strong interest in dermatology 25 available slots.
  • Priority is given to practicing dermatology PAs and NPs. Seats are limited.

Benefits of the Achieve Program

  • Core Foundation Medical Dermatology Courses developed to supplement on-the-job training.
  • Content is developed and taught by expert Key Thought Leaders who are Board Certified Dermatologists.
  • Educational materials, to include online resources and dermatology textbook.
  • All enrolled participants have access to experienced PA or NP advisors/mentors and will meet virtually on scheduled evenings.
  • A minimum of 23 Continuing Medical Education Credits.
  • Live virtual faculty panel discussions and Q&A with the Achieve Program’s Faculty every other month.
  • On-Demand Access to course material and resources via Achieve Program Portal for one year.
  • 20% off a DermLite Dermatoscope
  • Upon completion of the Achieve Program receive discounted registration to the annual DID conference and exclusive invitation to the Achieve Program Recognition Reception.

Course List

Intro to Dermatology

Intro to Dermoscopy

Recognizing Benign Lesions

Malignant Lesions You Won’t Want to Miss

The Approach to Atopic Dermatitis

Differential Diagnosis of Dermatitis

The Approach to Psoriasis

Papulosquamous Diseases

Recognition and Management of Infections

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Diseases of the Nail

Hair and Scalp Disorders

Skin Manifestations of Systemic Disease

Disorders of Hypo and Hyperpigmentation

Childhood and Viral Exanthems

Autoimmune Disorders

Bullous & Blistering Diseases

Oral Lesions

Genital Diseases and Disorders

Dermatopathology

Photoaging and Sun Protection Basics

Common Procedures in Dermatology

Topical Corticosteroid Pharmacology

Please note: Courses are subject to change

Featured Faculty

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Raj Chovatiya, M.D., Ph.D.
Chicago, Illinois

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Pearl Kwong, MD
Jacksonville, Florida

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Rosen

Theodore Rosen, MD
Houston, Texas

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Richard Usatine, MD
San Antonio, Texas

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Vlahovic_headshot_2

Tracey C. Vlahovic, DPM
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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instructor_Heather_Woolery_Lloyd_Headshot

Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD
Miami, Florida

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Program Mentors

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Risha Bellomo,
MPAS, PA-C

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Tracee Blackburn,
MPAS, PA-C

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Andrea Brezill,
MMS, PA-C

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Terry_Faleye_headshot

Terry Faleye,
MPAS, PA-C

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Tristan Hasbargen,
MMS, PA-C

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Shanna-Miranti_headshot

Shanna M. Miranti,
MPAS, PA-C

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Lindita_Vinca_headshot

Lindita Vinca,
APRN, DNP

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Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Thank You to Our President, Diamond and Platinum Level Sponsors!

Thank You to Our President, Diamond and Platinum Level Sponsors!

Raj Chovatiya, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Chovatiya is Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Chovatiya received his M.D. and Ph.D. in immunology from Yale University. He completed his internship at Yale followed by residency and postdoctoral research fellowship at Northwestern, where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Chovatiya directs the Eczema and Itch Clinic at Northwestern, and his clinical focus includes atopic dermatitis, eczema, chronic itch, and other chronic inflammatory skin disorders including psoriasis, hidradenitis, immunobullous disease, and vitiligo. Dr. Chovatiya’s research interests include patient-reported outcomes, health services research, epidemiology, implementation science, translational therapy, and improving care for patients with skin of color. He has published numerous abstracts and manuscripts and been recognized for his research at national and international conferences.

Pearl Kwong, MD

Pearl Chu Kwong MD, PhD is a board-certified pediatric dermatologist in private practice in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr Kwong received her doctorate in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and received a degree in medicine from the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in Edmonton, Alberta Canada.

 After an internship at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Dr Kwong completed a pediatric residency at the University of Alberta, followed by a dermatology residency at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec Canada.

Before she went to private practice in Jacksonville, Dr Kwong was Chief of Pediatric Dermatology at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA where she held an academic position of Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. In 2001, she moved to Jacksonville to join Nemours Children’s Clinic Jacksonville as Chief of Pediatric Dermatology and was Assistant Professor of dermatology at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville.

Dr Kwong has authored and coauthored more than a dozen peer-reviewed articles as well as several article abstracts. She has presented more than 100 presentations and participated at conferences and student lectures.  She has been a reviewer for Pediatric Dermatology Journal and Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr Kwong is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, Women’s Dermatologic Society, and Jacksonville Dermatology Society. In 2004, she received a Teacher of the Year award from Mayo Medical School in Jacksonville.

Dr Kwong was born in the Philippines and is of Chinese descent who grew up in Canada (therefore she is not qualified to become POTUS). She has one daughter, Emma, who followed tradition and had just obtained her BSc Honours in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and is currently attending medical school .

 

Ted Rosen, MD

After attending Michigan State University as a National Merit Scholar, Dr. Rosen graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School cum laude. He trained in internal medicine at the University of Alabama and in dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he currently serves as Professor and Vice-Chair of Dermatology and Chief of Dermatology at the Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Rosen previously served a term on the Board of Directors and is the immediate past AAD/A Vice-President. He was the 2017 recipient of the AAD Thomas G. Pearson Memorial Award for lifelong achievement in education, and the 2019 recipient of Baylor’s prestigious Master Clinician award.

Dr. Rosen has written over 300 peer-reviewed journal articles, 26 textbook chapters and  4 textbooks. He has been a visiting professor at over 75 university training programs and a plenary speaker for many city, state, national and international organizations, including the national dermatology societies of Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong, Korea, China, Australia and New Zealand.. On a personal note, he helped raise four, productive, sane and debt-free adult children. Dr. Rosen is an avid numismatist, diehard Chicago Cub fan and life-long devotee of horror films. His most pressing bucket list item is to score a cameo role on AMC’s cable program “The Walking Dead.”

Richard Usatine, M.D.

Dr. Richard Usatine is a Professor of Dermatology, Cutaneous Surgery and Family Medicine at University of Texas Health, San Antonio. He is the lead author of 8 books including “Dermatological and Cosmetic Procedures in Office Practice”, “The Color Atlas and Synopsis of Family Medicine” and “Cutaneous Cryosurgery”. He has published over 130 journal articles. Dr. Usatine began teaching dermoscopy in 2009 with the mentorship of Dr. Marghoob. In 2014, he co-developed a free interactive app for smart phones and tablets called “Dermoscopy: Two Step Algorithm”.  It remains the top downloaded app for dermoscopy and was updated to contain the “TADA” method too. In 2018, he was elected to the board of the International Dermoscopy Society. Dr. Usatine has also developed over 80 dermatology instructional videos and the Interactive Dermatology Atlas website. His photography of skin disorders has been used in many books, monographs, journal articles and educational websites (including the American Cancer Society). He has taught dermoscopy for the American Academy of Family Physicians, Texas Dermatological Society and for general practitioners in Australia and Canada. Dr. Usatine has been teaching yearly in the American Dermoscopy Meeting since 2014. He teaches regularly on Dermoscopy of Skin of Color and is the lead author of the Dermoscopedia chapter on this area.

Tracey C. Vlahovic, DPM

Dr. Vlahovic is a Clinical Professor and J. Stanley and Pearl Landau Faculty Fellow at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) in Philadelphia, PA.  She is also a member of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Glasgow). 

Dr Vlahovic graduated from Yale University with a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and received her medical degree from TUSPM.  After finishing her surgical residency at St Luke’s University Health Network in Allentown, PA, she was the first podiatrist in the US to complete a fellowship in podiatric dermatology under the supervision of Stephen Schleicher, MD. 

She is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and in podiatric medicine by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Vlahovic currently teaches the Fundamentals of Dermatology course at TUSPM and has received numerous teaching awards. She has authored several articles in peer-reviewed journals and is involved in multiple clinical research trials for various dermatological therapies and devices.

She is the author of Skin Disease of the Lower Extremities:  A Photographic Guide (HMP Communications) and Onychomycosis:  An Illustrated Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment along with Antonella Tosti and Roberto Arenas (Springer).

Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD

Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd is a board-certified dermatologist and an internationally recognized expert in skin of color. She completed her undergraduate studies at Georgetown University and later earned her medical degree at the University of Miami School of Medicine. She completed her training in dermatology at the University of Miami where she also served as chief resident.  

Dr. Woolery-Lloyd serves as the Director of Skin of Color Division at the University of Miami and specializes in the treatment of both cosmetic and general dermatology concerns common in skin of color.  She also sees patients in private practice.

Dr. Woolery-Lloyd participates extensively in clinical research and has over 40 publications in the literature.  Dr. Woolery-Lloyd is an active member of Skin of Color Society, an international non-profit organization dedicated to furthering research and awareness of skin diseases in skin of color.

Risha Bellomo, MPAS, PA-C

Risha Bellomo, MPAS, PA-C has over 25 years of healthcare experience with 20 of those years in dermatology and aesthetics. She graduated with High Honors from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Chemistry and received her Master’s Degree through the University of Florida’s College of Medicine in Physician Assistants Studies. Risha is the Founder & CEO of Bellomo Consulting and BCI Management & Communications, in which she develops medical educational programs, speaks and consults nationally, runs national and regional meetings and establishes strategic marketing plans for organizations and companies.

Risha is the managing director of Allele Medical a concierge aesthetic, dermatology, and training facility.

Risha has been published numerous times in Skin & Aging, The Journal of Dermatology Physician Assistants, The Dermatologist, Physician Assistant Clinics, and Advanced for NPs and PAs.  Risha co-founded the Florida Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and is an editorial board member for The Dermatologist.  In her spare time, she loves spending time with her two sons, Austin and Enzo and her husband Phil.  Her hobbies are boating, gardening, and video gaming.

Tracee Blackburn, PA-C

Tracee Blackburn is a Board-Certified Physician Assistant, nationally certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and licensed by the state of Illinois. She has been serving in the healthcare industry since 1998 and has specialized as a PA in Dermatology since 2005. She also had the privilege of practicing in Adolescent and Pediatric Health and enjoys interacting with and treating children and teenagers. Tracee graduated from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois in 2005. She has worked in several entities of healthcare, but found her passion in Dermatology where she has extensive experience in general, surgical, and aesthetic dermatology. She diagnoses and treats common dermatologic conditions, is proficient in detecting and treating skin cancers, performs basic and intermediate surgical procedures, and performs cosmetic and laser services. Her special interests are acne, eczema, psoriasis, benign skin lesions, and skin cancer. Tracee likes to focus her attention on patient education, as she believes it is a vital part to every patient’s recovery.  She is an active member and co-chair for the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, and an active member and former President and Director at Large of the Illinois SDPA.  She is also a member of the AAPA and the NEA, the National Eczema Association, in which she volunteers her time annually at the Eczema Expo.

Tracee is a published author and  has written two childrens’ books entitled “Wally The Wart” and “Xzema, A Children’s Guide to Happy Skin”, as well as a few published articles.  She is also a Speaker, Mentor, and creator of Project Skin-X, her passion project to help those in need of help for their skin, hair, and nails. 

She has also volunteered her time doing medical mission trips with CHAI to Haiti. 

When she is not at work or driving her 4-yo daughter around to social events, she enjoys working out, hanging out with her family and friends, and watching anything on the Bravo network. :-)

‘Currently, she is pursuing her Masters Degree in Integrative Medicine at George Washington University in Washington DC and is expected to graduate in 2022.

Andrea Brezill, MMS, PA-C

Andrea Brezill is a certified and licensed Physician Assistant and practices at The Dermatology Institute – Dupage Medical Group in Hinsdale & Lombard, IL. She has lectured nationally on the topics of acne vulgaris, rosacea, and  atopic dermatitis. She has over 12 years of Dermatology and dermatologic surgical experience and over 20 years of experience in healthcare. Her special interests include acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, ethnic skincare, and skin malignancies. She treats both pediatric and adult patients.

Andrea received her PA training from Midwestern University in 2008 and has specialized in Dermatology since 2009. Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant, Andrea worked as a certified athletic trainer and has an extensive sports medicine background. She received her Bachelors Degree in Athletic Training from Purdue University in 2001 and a Masters of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois in Champaign in 2003.

Andrea is active in the Dermatology PA community serving her second two-year term as the President of the Illinois Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, Andrea spearheaded the 3-day Midwest Dermatology Conference. She is the co-founder of Diversity in Dermatology.

MEMBERSHIPS:

  • AAPA – American Academy of Physician Assistants
  • SDPA – Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants
  • ISDPA – Illinois Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants
  • American Medical Writers Association
  • IAPA  – Illinois Association of Physician Assistants

Terry Faleye, MPAS, PA-C

Terry has 14 + years of experience working as a physician assistant in the field of medical & cosmetic dermatology. She is a native Houstonian, graduating from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Family Studies in 2003. After earning early admission to UTMB Galveston Physician Assistant program, she received her Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2005. She is certified by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants, and currently leads the Houston Derm PA/NP Society.

Terry is passionate about medical dermatology and the management of inflammatory disease states. She has lectured nationally on the topics of psoriasis, hidradentis suppurativa, and atopic dermatitis. Her special interest include acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, skin of color, and skin malignancies. She also practices cosmetic dermatology specializing in dermal filler, Botox, and Dysport.

In her free time, Terry enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, as well as exploring Houston restaurants and going to all her kid’s extracurricular activities.

Shanna M. Miranti, MPAS, PA-C

Riverchase Dermatology
Naples, FL

Shanna Miranti grew up in Ormond Beach, FL and is the oldest of her 3 siblings…a Podiatrist, a Derm PA, and a Lawyer (who had the good sense to marry another Derm PA!) She got her undergraduate degree from Loyola University in New Orleans with a major in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. She received her Masters/PA degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. Shanna has practiced Dermatology for 19 years in both Jacksonville and Naples, and was the founding PA for Riverchase Dermatology. She is passionate about dermatology education, and has taught Dermatology to the PA students at NSU-Ft. Myers PA program for 9 years, guest lecturer at FGCU for over 15 years. Shanna lectures nationally to her dermatology colleagues, school nurses, athletic trainers, high school and college students, and to patients in the community. She is also the mother of 4 children under 12 years old…in her spare time.

Tristan M. Hasbargen MMS, PA-C

Tristan received his undergraduate degree from Florida State University and then graduated from Nova Southeastern University PA program Fort Lauderdale campus in 2012 with a Masters of Medical Science.  He joined Dermatology Associates as a Physician Assistant in 2012.   Tristan is on faculty at  Florida State University PA program and has lectured on various dermatological topics at conferences and at FSU’s PA program.  He is in good standing with the Florida Board of Medicine. Tristan is an active member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistant’s and holds the highest distinction of “Diplomate Fellow.”  Tristan holds a certification from the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants.  He is also members of the Florida Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, American Academy of Physician Assistants and Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. When not working he enjoys spending time with his wife Julia and three boys, volunteering at church, hunting, and cheering on the Seminoles.

Lindita Vinca, APRN, DNP

Lindita Vinca is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of nursing, certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and licensed by the state of Connecticut. She graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In 2012, she graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Master’s of Science in Nursing. She subsequently earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Quinnipiac University in 2017. She graduated cum laude and is a member of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. 

She has worked in critical care and interventional radiology but found her passion in dermatology where she has experience in medical and surgical dermatology. Her special interests include, but not limited to, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and skin cancer detection. Lindita is a published author of a dermatology chapter in an advanced practice nursing textbook. She has lectured at several dermatology community and academic symposiums. She acts as an active mentor and preceptor for nurse practitioner students. 

Lindita was awarded the 2021 state award for excellence in clinical practice by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is the president and founder of the Connecticut Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant organization. She was also featured in the Quinnipiac Alumni magazine in 2019 ‘Saving Our Skins’ for being recognized for excellence in nursing leadership. 

When not working she enjoys spending time with her son and daughter, Dion and Sianna, and her husband, Luti. They enjoy traveling, board games, and outdoor adventures together.