2026 Elevate Derm Summer Full Conference Recap

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Innovation and Practical Learning Define Elevate-Derm Summer 2026

The 3rd Annual Elevate-Derm Summer Conference brought together dermatology physician associates, nurse practitioners, physicians, and industry leaders in San Diego, California, for five days of continuing education focused on translating emerging evidence into clinical practice. Through expert lectures, case-based discussions, interactive workshops, and networking events, attendees explored advances in inflammatory skin disease, skin of color, pediatric and geriatric dermatology, dermatologic surgery, artificial intelligence, and emerging therapeutics.

Throughout the meeting, several recurring themes emerged, reflecting how dermatology practice continues to evolve alongside a rapidly expanding therapeutic landscape.

Oral JAK Inhibitors Remain a Major Focus

One of the conference's most consistent themes centered on oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Programming began with a dedicated JAK-iNSTITUTE Symposium featuring sessions on immunologically mediated skin diseases, patient selection, laboratory monitoring, patient counseling, and interactive case-based workshops. Faculty including Walter Liszewski, MD; Lisa Swanson, MD; Eileen Cheever, PA-C; Victoria Garcia-Albea, NP; Buchi Neita, PA-C; and Keri Holyoak, PA-C, discussed strategies for safely incorporating JAK inhibitors into clinical practice.

In exclusive interviews with Dermatology Times, conference faculty emphasized individualized patient selection, evolving safety data, and effective communication with patients and families as key components of successful JAK inhibitor therapy.

Caring for Diverse Patient Populations

Several sessions focused on delivering equitable dermatologic care across diverse patient populations. Oyetewa Asempa, MD, presented multiple lectures addressing alopecia and scalp disorders in patients of color, hair care and styling considerations, and the management of hyperpigmentation in skin of color. These discussions emphasized culturally informed care alongside evidence-based treatment strategies.

The conference also featured sessions dedicated to pediatric dermatology, geriatric dermatology, and chronic inflammatory diseases, highlighting the importance of tailoring treatment approaches across different patient populations.

Advances Across Inflammatory Skin Disease

Inflammatory dermatology remained a cornerstone of the educational program. Faculty delivered updates on atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, chronic urticaria, chronic hand eczema, and chronic pruritus, with presentations covering disease mechanisms, emerging therapies, and practical management strategies. Interactive SkinSync Live panel discussions further explored topics including hyperpigmentation, pediatric psoriasis care, seborrheic dermatitis, and advances in type 2 immunology.

Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology

Emerging technology also took center stage during the meeting. April Armstrong, MD, examined the growing role of artificial intelligence in dermatology, prompting discussion about how AI may complement clinical decision-making while preserving the importance of physician and advanced practice provider expertise.

Practical Education for Everyday Practice

Beyond updates on new therapies, many sessions emphasized practical skills clinicians could immediately implement in practice. Topics included laboratory monitoring, patient counseling, dermatopathology, perioperative management, polypharmacy in older adults, and clinical decision-making through interactive case discussions. Faculty repeatedly stressed translating clinical evidence into strategies that improve patient care across diverse practice settings.

Exclusive Dermatology Times Coverage

Throughout Elevate-Derm Summer 2026, Dermatology Times spoke with faculty members about some of the meeting's most impactful topics. Coverage included discussions on oral JAK inhibitors in pediatric dermatology, safety monitoring strategies, communication with patients and families, diagnosing hair loss with trichoscopy, emerging therapies for vitiligo and hidradenitis suppurativa, artificial intelligence in dermatology, mentorship for advanced practice providers, and financial literacy for clinicians.

Together, these interviews complemented the conference's educational programming by providing additional perspective on how leading dermatology experts are translating new evidence into clinical practice.

Looking Ahead

As Elevate-Derm Summer 2026 concluded, the conference reinforced several themes likely to shape dermatology in the coming years: individualized treatment selection, expanding therapeutic options for inflammatory skin diseases, culturally competent care, thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence, and continued collaboration among physicians and advanced practice providers. By combining scientific updates with practical clinical education, the meeting equipped attendees with insights they can apply well beyond the conference.

Stay tuned to Dermatology Times for continued coverage of dermatology meetings throughout the year, including expert interviews, clinical updates, and breaking news from across the specialty.