Events

March Inspire & Empower Hour

Diversity in Dermatology
Celebrates Women and All They Do
Wednesday, March 31, 2021   
7:00PM – 8:00PM EST

This month we want to introduce Rocky Akavan, a physician assistant who is the Founder of PAMoms. Since this month is all about women, DID felt it was important we focused on tips to help women find a better balance between their home life and their work life. We would love to hear from our members during this month’s Inspire & Empower Hour on how you find your balance.
 
Also this month, Denisse Serrano, PA-C will take us on a journey through the use of Biostimulatory Fillers. As women age we want to appear more youthful without looking overdone. Denisse will explain how you can achieve this through proper technique and dilution.
 

We invite you to bring your questions, comments, and ideas.

Register Now

Diversity in Dermatology Virtual Conference

Take your education on the go. This educational opportunity was developed to focus on very specific topics in dermatology and how to approach our diversified population through an understanding of current trends and practices.  Learn from our renown experts and take a journey into a new world of educational opportunities.

Learn more and register
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Experience & Vision

Introducing the Diversity in Dermatology Committee Chairs.  They bring  the leadership, clinical, scientific, and professional experience and vision to take dermatology education and development to the next level.

Jessy Ayala, PA-C

Aesthetic  Education Chair

Jessy Ayala
More About Jessy

Risha Bellomo, MPAS, PA-C

Organization Chair

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More About Risha

Tracee Blackburn, PA-C

Skin of Color Education Chair

More About Tracee

Andrea Brezill, MMS, PA-C

Organization and CME Chair

More About Andrea

Rob Casquejo, PA-C

Professional Development Chair

Rob C
More About Rob

Christine Go, MMS, PA-C

CME Chair

More About Chistine

Tristan M. Hasbargen MMS, PA-C

Journal Chair

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More About Tristan

Kathleen Haycraft, DNP

Science & Clinical Research Education Chair

More About Kathleen

Abby A. Jacobson, MS, PA-C

Publication Skill Development Chair

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More About Abby

Get Involved

Interested in getting involved with the organization, writing a publication, heading up a clinical trial, and expanding your professional development? Contact us today so we can direct you to the right person.  

Connect with the Team

Jessy Ayala, PA-C

Jessy Ayala PA-C is a licensed and certified Dermatology Physician Assistant and practices at Southern Connecticut Dermatology. He lectures frequently across the nation on various general Dermatology diseases, including Acne, Eczema, Rosacea and Psoriasis. 
 
He is an active member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. In early 2020 Jessy obtained the esteemed SDPA Diplomate Fellowship™️,the premier training program for PAs in the field of dermatology. 
 
Jessy also serves as a Dermatology rotation preceptor for Physician Assistant students from Weil Cornell, Marist College and Touro College. He brings his passion and commitment to patient care through community service and volunteer work. In 2017 Jessy traveled with a team of US Dermatology professionals to volunteer in Kenya, Africa for a medical mission called Passion to pHeal, MeToWe. He has also served as a volunteer in 2018 at Camp Wonder: Children’s Skin Disease Foundation. Here he spent a week to help kids from around the country to take a break from being a patient and help focus them on just being kids.
 
In December of 2019 Jessy founded the North East Injectors Society, which focuses on advanced cosmetic techniques and training. These settings provide a nurturing microcosm for cosmetic injectors to share experience and knowledge beyond the typical classroom focusing on balance and proportion. He’s also participated in Xeomin advisory board and is a trainer for  Revanesse® Versa™️, Prollenium.

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

Rob Casquejo, PA-C

Skin and Cancer Center of Scottsdale

Originally from Michigan, Robert graduated with honors from Michigan State University holding a degree in Biology. He completed his degree in the PA program of Western Michigan University in 1999. He began his career on the trauma surgery service at the Toledo Hospital, and in the emergency department of University of Michigan Hospital, for three years. 

His experience in dermatology began in 2002, and to date his experiences include medical, surgical and cosmetic care, as well as management of patients in a psoriasis treatment center. He is a member, clinical instructor, and consultant to the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, and a co-founder and former executive officer of both the Michigan and Arizona Dermatology PA Societies. Currently he serves on the Arizona state society PA legislative affairs committee, is a consultant to multiple pharmaceutical companies, and is a host for the SDPA’s Dermcast TV. 

In March of 2012, Rob founded the Skin and Cancer Center of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, AZ. As the CEO and founder, he continues to have a passion for the development of PA/ physician relations, clinical instruction, and entrepreneurship. He also continues to pursue his passion for humanitarian efforts in AZ and other states, and has participated in international medical missions in the Philippines and Africa.

Christine Go, MMS, PA-C

Christine Go is a board-certified physician assistant practicing in dermatology since 2012. She originally grew up in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan while playing on the University of Michigan Women’s Lacrosse team. Christine then moved to Chicago, where she attended Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. 

Originally working at Loyola University Medical Center, Christine was very fortunate to gain additional training in complex and difficult dermatology cases. During her time there, she was an important part of the Solid Organ Transplant Clinic, Rheumatology-Dermatology Clinic, and also served as a sub-investigator for clinical trials.

Currently, she is an active member of the Dermatology PA community, serving as the Co-President on the Illinois Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. In her spare time, she volunteers at local events promoting skin cancer awareness and research for psoriasis. She has gone on a medical mission trip to India to help serve the less fortunate. Christine is published in the Case Reports of Dermatology. She is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Illinois Association of Physician Assistants and Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.

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.

Kathleen Haycraft, DNP

Dr. Kathleen Haycraft is a family, pediatric, and dermatology nurse practitioner as well as a political activist for NPs. Her research interests are health care policy and dermatology. Kathleen currently works in dermatology in a private practice. 

Dr. Haycraft has presented on policy and dermatology at local, regional and national conferences and served on a variety of local and state boards representing many causes. Kathleen is currently the AANP Region 7 Director, the AANP 2009 State Award for Excellence winner, previous co-leader of the advanced practice registered nurse group of Missouri Action Coalition and co-chair of Missouri Council of APRNs. Kathleen currently serves on the Missouri Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is a published author in books and journals. She has a passion for the rural and urban underserved citizens of Missouri. The Speaker of the Missouri House appointed her to the Committee of Citizens to Transform Medicaid. The University of Missouri, Kansas City honored her with Nursing and Health Services Alumni of the Year in 2014.

Dr. Haycraft spent 16 years in a rural underserved health clinic, driving her passion for full practice authority for NPs. She is active on a variety of service groups in her community. Kathleen believes in evidence-based practice and good research to drive her practice. Kathleen enjoys reading, traveling and family in her spare time.  She always enjoys a project to remodel and redecorate.

Abby A. Jacobson, MS, PA-C

Abby Jacobson is a physician assistant working as a medical director for a pharmaceutical company.  She practiced as a dermatology PA for over fifteen years, then a medical science liaison (MSL), before taking her current position.  Abby has held numerous leadership positions with professional medical societies and patient advocacy groups.  She is a University lecturer and has been published in both journals and conferences in the United States and Europe.