A Podcast by PAs for PAs: SkinSync Elevates Dermatology Voices

“It has been such an honor for Buchi and me to inspire dermatology APPs so we can all learn together,” Shanna Miranti, MPAS, PA-C, said in an interview with Dermatology Times.

Miranti, a physician assistant at Riverchase Dermatology in Naples, Florida, a Dermatology Times editorial advisory board member, and co-host of the Elevate-Derm Alliance SkinSync podcast, sat down with her colleagues at the 2025 Elevate-Derm Summer Conference in Park City, Utah, to discuss their recently launched podcast, SkinSync.

“This is truly a podcast that’s for dermatology PAs and NPs, by dermatology PAs from the ground up. We’re doing all of it ourselves; from hosting to editing and publishing on Spotify and Apple. We’ve had to teach ourselves how to do it,” said Jennifer Connor, MPAS, PA-C, a physician assistant at Dawes Fretzin Dermatology in Castleton, Indianapolis, medical director of digital media for Elevate-Derm Alliance, and one of the producers of SkinSync.

The SkinSync podcast by Elevate-Derm Alliance aims to provide “updates on the latest clinical trials and research, expert insights on new treatments and therapies, in-depth discussions on complex dermatological conditions, and practical tips for implementing current guidelines in your practice.”¹

Matthew Brunner, MHS, PA-C, a physician assistant at Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center in Stockbridge, Georgia, and founder of Elevate-Derm Alliance, emphasized the podcast’s purpose: “We wanted to start SkinSync because we know that there are a lot of things that are happening between our congresses, and we wanted to make sure that our audience and our constituents are keeping up with all the latest developments in the science of dermatology to make sure we're practicing at the forefront of the absolute best science we can.”

Being a podcast by dermatology PAs, podcast production comes with the struggle of fitting it into already busy work and life schedules. The SkinSync team still sees full schedules of patients, participates in research and clinical advancements, makes time for families and personal commitments, all while still producing the podcast.

“We have patients that we need to be there for. We have family members or pets we need to be there for. And then we have an amazing opportunity through SkinSync to be able to reach out and maybe connect with dermatology APPs that don't have access to conferences,” Miranti said.

Co-host Buchi Neita, MCMSc, PA-C, a physician assistant at Epiphany Dermatology in Peachtree City, Georgia, echoed the challenge of numerous responsibilities: “Juggling is a challenge, and sometimes chart notes don't get done because I've got to work on the podcast, and that's okay. That’s what I love about this; it's brought out some creativity in me that I did not know that I had. On top of that, we're talking science, we're talking dermatology, but we're also talking life. We did an episode about burnout. We've talked about bedside manner. We're going to talk about imposter syndrome. So, things that people can really relate to in their day-to-day.

Another way SkinSync works to best serve colleagues is by posting short, 15- to 20-minute episodes. Vicki Roberts, MPAS, PA-C, a physician assistant at Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in West Columbia, South Carolina, medical director of enduring content for Elevate-Derm Alliance, and a SkinSync producer, described how the manageable episodes are ideal for a commute or quick break so that listeners can add something educational and beneficial to their day without feeling overwhelmed. The hosts also focus on pulling out engaging pearls from guests to keep the content engaging.

Dermatology clinicians can engage with the podcast by subscribing on Apple and Spotify, as well as by submitting ideas for a future episode to admin@elevate-derm.com. If your idea is selected, you will win registration for a future conference.

“We’ve become this little family, so we support each other,” Roberts concluded.

Reference

1. SkinSync. Elevate-Derm Alliance. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://www.elevate-derm.com/skinsync-podcast