Derm Dispatch: Insights from SDPA Medical Director Heather Goff, MD, MPH, on Educational Strategy and Collaboration

At the 2025 SDPA Fall Dermatology Conference in San Antonio, Heather Goff, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the SDPA and faculty member at UT Southwestern, discussed her role, the conference vision, and the evolving collaboration between dermatology PAs and physicians in this live episode of Derm Dispatch with Renata Block, DMSc, MMS, PA-C.

Goff shared that her appointment as Medical Director came about 6 months prior, following close collaboration with dermatology PAs in both clinical and organizational settings. Recognizing the importance of the PA role in dermatology, she embraced the opportunity to contribute to the society’s educational and professional mission. “Of course, it was a no-brainer,” she noted, citing her deep respect for PAs’ clinical expertise and their integral place in patient care.

As Medical Director, Goff helps guide the SDPA’s academic direction—developing conference themes, curating speakers, and ensuring that educational content reflects current dermatologic science and clinical practice. This year’s conference opened with a focus on lifestyle and skin health, emphasizing the ways daily choices influence dermatologic outcomes and patient relationships.¹ The theme, she observed, aligns with broader public interest in wellness and preventive dermatology.

When asked by Block for advice to future medical directors, Goff emphasized the importance of collaboration and professional networking. The SDPA’s administrative team offers strong logistical support, she explained, but success in the role depends on bringing in diverse experts and identifying emerging trends in dermatology. Awareness of new research, evolving treatment approaches, and patient-centered innovation is key to maintaining a dynamic and relevant program.

Throughout the discussion, Goff underscored the collaborative nature of dermatologic care. She highlighted the indispensable partnership between PAs and dermatologists in improving access to care and optimizing outcomes. “The PAs play an invaluable role in our specialty for treating patients, and for helping us take care of people. Our practice would definitely not be the same without them,” she stated.

The conversation concluded with mutual appreciation for the mentorship and teamwork that define the dermatology community—an enduring reminder that the ultimate goal remains the same: delivering the best possible care through a unified, multidisciplinary approach.

Reference

1. Goff, H. Lifestyle in Skin Health and Disease. Presented at: Society of Dermatology Physician Associates Fall 2025 Conference; November 5-9, 2025; San Antonio, Texas