How Mentorship and Conferences Can Strengthen Dermatology Practice

Eileen Cheever, PA, a dermatology PA at Clearview Dermatology in Massachusetts and a founding advisory board member and medical director for Elevate, emphasized mentorship and continued education as important tools for clinicians building their careers in dermatology.

Speaking at the Elevate Summer meeting in San Diego, Cheever encouraged clinicians to seek relationships with more experienced colleagues who can help them navigate both the clinical demands of dermatology and their broader professional development.

Finding Mentorship in Dermatology

For clinicians early in their careers, Cheever recommended connecting with a seasoned colleague or group of mentors who can provide guidance across different aspects of dermatology practice.

“Getting engaged with more seasoned colleagues, find that person or that set of mentors that can guide you in all different facets of your practice,” Cheever said.

That guidance can extend beyond building clinical knowledge. Cheever said mentors can also help clinicians shape their education and career while providing the perspective that comes from having spent more time in the field.

Cheever found that type of mentorship approximately 5 to 6 years into her own career and said the relationship had a meaningful impact on her development.

“It just really opened so many doors to make me a better PA with my patients, but also just to make me a better clinician,” she said.

Conferences as an Opportunity to Learn and Connect

Cheever also encouraged clinicians to attend conferences as a way to continue their education and connect with colleagues who share similar interests and goals.

“It's a great way to get educated. It's also a great way to meet other people that have similar interests in the field, that want to learn, that really want to be able to provide the best possible care to our patients,” Cheever said.

Beyond networking, Cheever pointed to the collaborative learning environment at dermatology meetings as an opportunity for clinicians to stay informed about developments in the field and bring that knowledge back to their practices.

“Coming to conferences where we're covering the latest and greatest and newest content and learning collaboratively with colleagues in a conference setting, I think, is the best way to improve your patient care,” she said.