Elevate-Derm Summer 2026 begins this week, bringing dermatology physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and other clinicians to San Diego, California, for 5 days of education focused on inflammatory skin disease, medical dermatology, skin cancer, and emerging therapeutics. Running July 29 through August 2 at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, the meeting features CME sessions, sponsored symposia, interactive panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to provide practical updates for clinicians across dermatology practice.
Featured Disease States and Topics
- Alopecia and hair disorders
- Hyperpigmentation and skin of color
- Chronic urticaria and chronic pruritus
- Artificial intelligence in dermatology
Inflammatory Disease Programming
The meeting opens with the JAK-iNSTITUTE Symposium, featuring Walter Liszewski, MD, Lisa Swanson, MD, Eileen Cheever, PA-C, and colleagues discussing patient selection, laboratory monitoring, counseling strategies, and case-based management of JAK inhibitors in immunologically mediated skin disorders. Additional inflammatory disease programming throughout the conference includes updates in atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, chronic urticaria, hidradenitis suppurativa, chronic pruritus, and inflammatory dermatoses, reflecting the continued expansion of targeted therapies across dermatology.
Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis Updates
Atopic dermatitis remains a major focus of this year's meeting, with presentations including Atopic Dermatitis Throughout the Lifespan: Cases of Interest presented by April Armstrong, MD, and Walter Liszewski, MD, as well as Atopic Dermatitis Updates & Expert Pearls. Sponsored educational sessions will also highlight emerging therapies such as lebrikizumab and OX40L/OX40 pathway science.
Psoriasis programming spans disease mechanisms, treatment paradigms, biologic updates, and cardiovascular risk. Sessions include Decoding Disease Pathways: The Modern Psoriasis Treatment Paradigm, Psoriatic Disease Updates & Future Directions, Updates on Our Psoriasis Toolbox From Topicals to Biologics, and discussions on selecting systemic therapy for patients with psoriasis.
Hair Disorders and Skin of Color
Hair disease receives dedicated attention throughout the meeting with sessions on alopecia in patients of color, practical hair care and styling recommendations, and sponsored presentations discussing emerging treatments for alopecia areata. Additional sessions explore hyperpigmentation and dermatologic care in patients with skin of color, emphasizing culturally informed management strategies.
Skin Cancer and Surgical Dermatology
The final days of the conference feature an extensive skin cancer track led by Ashley Elsensohn, MD, and Maria Robinson, MD. Topics include hedgehog inhibitors, reducing unnecessary melanocytic biopsies, management of high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancers, and perioperative considerations for surgical dermatology patients. Additional dermatopathology sessions use clinical cases to reinforce diagnostic decision-making.
Emerging Technology and Clinical Practice
Beyond disease-specific education, attendees can expect presentations addressing artificial intelligence in dermatology, chronic hand eczema, geriatric prescribing, inflammatory tissue reaction patterns, patient counseling, and practical case-based learning. Interactive SkinSync Live panel discussions and breakout sessions provide additional opportunities for collaborative learning and discussion.
Dermatology Times Coverage
The Dermatology Times editorial team will be on site throughout Elevate-Derm Summer 2026, conducting interviews with faculty and covering the latest clinical updates, therapeutic advances, and expert perspectives from July 29 through August 2. Readers can expect exclusive interviews, session highlights, and breaking news coverage throughout the meeting.
Dermatology Times will be on-site in Minneapolis covering the meeting’s latest updates from July 22 to 25th. To keep up with all the exciting interviews, posters, and news, be sure to subscribe here.
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