Member Spotlight:
Patricia M. Delgado, DNP, AGPCNP, DCNP, PMHNP
By: Diversity in Dermatology
Dr. Delgado specialized in medical, surgical, and aesthetic dermatology for the full 8 years as a nurse practitioner and worked in critical care for 5 years prior to working in dermatology. She has also worked in dermatology and psychiatric research for 3 years, and she continues to stay active in publication and patient and Advanced Practice Provider (APP) advocacy. She is passionate about education and believes we are all a vital part of the healthcare team.
Diversity in Dermatology™ (DID): What is your name and what are your credentials?
Patricia M. Delgado (PMD): Patricia M. Delgado, DNP, AGPCNP, DCNP, PMHNP
DID: What or who inspired you to be a NP/PA?
PMD: Despite my parents insisting for me to change from pre-med to nursing to become an NP, it was actually a friend’s sister who happened to be a cardiology NP that inspired me and showed me just how amazing the profession truly is.
DID: What intrigued you about dermatology and what do you love about it the most?
PMD: I was working in ICU at the time of starting my Masters program, and full transparency, I really wanted a specialty that would get me out of the stress and burnout of the hospital. I had heard that dermatology had great hours and good pay, but I wanted to experience it for myself before committing to a specialty. I was able to do some of my clinical hours at a dermatology practice during my NP education, and that did it. I was hooked! I loved being able to follow up with the same patients and be an integral component of their journey towards improvement, and I loved how every day was something new. I love how the specialty is so relevant to everyone and even every other specialty. Dermatology is literally in your face, so when you help someone, you change their perception of the world and even how the world perceives them.
DID: How do you define diversity?
PMD: Diversity encompasses differences in race, gender, age, profession, and even opinions. We can be diverse in many different ways, and that’s what makes life so awesome.
DID: What inspired you to pursue doctoral education?
PMD: I wanted to have the most well-rounded knowledge as I could as I entered the healthcare landscape as an actual provider (vs. a nurse). I wanted to be as prepared as possible to be a leader and eventual practice owner, and I felt learning about management, healthcare processes, and systems would be beneficial even if I never started my own business.
An added bonus was that I would be able to avoid any hassles down the road in case the Doctorate degree ever became a federal or state requirement to practice.
DID: What is/was the title of your research? Based on what your research revealed, what do you want your colleagues to know?
PMD: My research project was entitled, “Increasing risk perception and self-efficacy after diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancer.” I would want to reinforce to my colleagues how important it is to spend time with patients to educate them on their diagnoses, especially of skin cancer. It makes a significant difference in skin cancer screening compliance.
DID: Share your favorite diagnosis and what you find the most appealing about it?
PMD: There are so many to choose from! If I had to choose one though, I think acrochordons are one of my favorites. As simple as they are, they often bother patients physically and psychologically, and sometimes they may even worry them if the person is not familiar with skin tags. It is so easy to educate on their benign nature, then either snip, shave, or cauterize them. The patient is then left happy as a clam. Acrochordons provide immediate gratification not only for the patient, but even for us as providers.
DID: Share your favorite clinical support tools and what you love about them?
PMD: I like Medscape because it is extremely efficient and easy to look up dosing schedules for different indications for the myriad of drugs we prescribe in practice. I also like it to check a drug I come across that a patient may be on that I am not 100% familiar with.
DID: What’s something you’ve learned about dermatology education, practice, or entrepreneurship that not enough people know about?
PMD: In dermatology and in life, getting out of your comfort zone is the number one way to grow as an individual, both personally and professionally. Don’t settle because it feels easy. In fact, if something feels easy, do something—pivot—to make it more uncomfortable. Just remember that it should align with your purpose.
DID: This is your chance to brag about something you are passionate about, in or outside of dermatology?
PMD: I am so very proud of the amazing board of directors I have recruited to Sunrise NPPA Derm Inc. and the awesome conference we have been able to create together with the help of our management team. I am proud of the relationships I have forged professionally and in my community and how much I have pushed myself off figurative cliffs of growth. I am proud to be continuing my father’s legacy of truly caring for patients’ wellbeing and not folding to the outside pressures of our struggling healthcare landscape. I hope to always be a beacon to my fellow healthcare providers to stand up for what they believe in and pursue their dreams. We all deserve to be happy and to live our truths. Together, we should all strive to be the change we want to see in healthcare and the world.
DID: What can we expect from you in the next 12 months?
PMD: You can expect a PHENOMENAL 2024 Sunrise NPPA Dermatology and Procedure Conference at the Hilton Clearwater Beach on October 11-12. You can expect to see me at some of our partners’ events such as the DID Conference and SDPA Conferences.
You can expect my practice, Sunrise Skin and Wellness, to undergo a facelift, to hire on another APP, and to continue being a beacon for wellness and community partnerships. You can expect to see me speaking at more conferences and helping my husband’s YouTube channel hit 20,000 subscribers… Subscribe, and smash that Like button!
Thank you for the opportunity to be in your highlight!