Atopic Dermatitis, Inflammaging Stand Out at Elevate-Derm

Lisa Weiss, PA, a dermatology physician assistant at Goodman Dermatology in the Atlanta area and medical director of the RAPID Conference, joined Dermatology Times at Elevate-Derm to discuss the clinical content and sense of community that have made the meeting stand out. Weiss, who also plans CME programming for the Georgia Derm PA Society and Texas Derm PA Society, highlighted timely immunodermatology education, sessions on atopic dermatitis and inflammaging, and the relationships fostered through Elevate's meetings.

Timely Immunodermatology Content

Weiss pointed to the timeliness of the clinical education as one of the defining features of the meeting. She said speakers are discussing developments in immunodermatology as they emerge, allowing attendees to hear about data that may have changed in just the days leading up to a presentation.

"The content that we've had at this meeting is so fantastic, so up-to-date," Weiss said.

She recalled one speaker telling attendees that his prepared slides were already behind the latest available data because findings had changed within the previous week. Despite the rapid developments, Weiss said the speaker was able to discuss the updated information and take a deeper look at the data during the presentation.

For Weiss, having faculty who are familiar enough with evolving research to address those developments in real time is a major part of what makes the meeting valuable.

Atopic Dermatitis and Inflammaging Stand Out

Among the clinical topics presented at Elevate-Derm, Weiss highlighted atopic dermatitis as a particular standout, noting a recent lecture on the disease as one of the meeting's strong sessions.

"I think the atopic derm content has been fantastic," Weiss said.

She also highlighted Daniel Butler, MD, and his discussion of inflammaging, a topic she described as particularly interesting.

"I always love listening to Dr. Daniel Butler talk about inflammaging," Weiss said. "It's such an interesting concept, and he's such a great speaker."

Weiss also praised a presentation from Lisa Swanson, MD, as she reflected on the strength of the faculty and agenda overall.

"You can't not love Lisa Swanson. She's just fantastic," Weiss said.

Building Community Beyond the Conference

Alongside the clinical education, Weiss emphasized the community created through Elevate's meetings. She described the conferences as intentionally intimate, giving attendees opportunities to form deeper connections with colleagues from across the country.

Those relationships can continue from one meeting to the next, Weiss explained, as attendees reconnect with people they previously met when Elevate conferences convene in different cities.

We are truly friends who really, really enjoy fostering education, but fostering relationships as well, Weiss said.

That sense of connection also extends to the clinicians and leaders involved in organizing the meetings. Weiss said they are not simply a group of colleagues who work on conferences together but friends who genuinely look forward to collaborating and seeing one another.

According to Weiss, that enthusiasm carries over to attendees and helps draw others into the community.

"We all can't wait to see each other, and I think that the excitement that we bring, that we're so excited to work together, comes across to everybody who's here, and they want to be part of the community too," Weiss said.

For Weiss, it is the combination of timely clinical education and meaningful professional relationships that makes the Elevate experience distinctive.

"I think we really have created something special," Weiss said.