11th Annual Conference | September 5-7, 2019 at the Westin Buckhead - Atlanta, GA

The GDPA 11^th Annual Pearls Conference is completely SOLD OUT.  There will be no onsite registrations available for this event.

Dermatology PEARLS: is a three day medical education program designed as a comprehensive training for Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners working in the dermatology specialty.  The Georgia Dermatology Physician Assistants is pleased to host Dermatology PEARLS for our colleagues across the nation.  We invite you to join us in Atlanta for three days of intensive education and hands on workshops to build your knowledge and competence in the specialty of Dermatology.

A large consideration in our meeting planning involves recruitment of a faculty panel that represents thought leaders in the dermatology specialty as well as real world clinicians who provide practical insight into diagnosing and caring for patients. Located at the heart of the Buckhead Community of Atlanta the Westin Buckhead is adjacent to Lenox Mall and offers easy access from the Atlanta-Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. 

Conference Fees: 

Before 12:00AM (EDT) 8/1/2019

• $199  GDPA Fellow/Associate Member
• $224  Non-Member PA/NP/MD/Etc
• $200  PA Student

At 12:00AM (EDT) 08/01/2019

• $350  GDPA Fellow/Associate/Affiliate Member
• $375  Non-Member PA/NP/Etc
• $200  PA Student

Please note: Registration for the conference is restricted to licensed medical professionals and members of industry with an interest in the dermatology specialty. 

2019 Conference Registration

 Conference Agenda

 Featured 2019 Lectures:

• Dermoscopy Made Easy - by Joslyn Kirby MD
• Tickborne Diseases - by George Monks MD
• Emerging Insect Borne Diseases - by Ted Rosen MD
• Management of Dysplastic Nevi in 2019 - by Whitney High MD
• Advanced Alopecia Treatment Strategies - Jerry Shapiro MD
• Allergy & Immunology for the Dermatology PA/NP - by Marc Serota MD
• The Role of Cannabis in Dermatology - by Douglas DiRuggiero PA-C
• Hyperhidrosis: Facts, Fiction, & Realities - by Pearl Kwong MD
• Maximizing Topical Therapies - by Linda Stein Gold MD

Optional Workshops, Track & Evening Events:

Dermatologic Surgery: Beginners Workshop

Instructor: Jeffrey Johnson PA-C | Saturday, September 7, 2019 - 9:45AM-11:45AM | Cost $95.00 up to 2 Category 1 CME hours.

Designed as an introduction to cutaneous surgery this workshop will walk attendees through basic surgical skills inclusive of the simple interrupted suture and elliptical excision.  It will also touch on how to correct for dog ears and ensure you are creating a cosmetically pleasing closure.

Dermatologic Surgery: Intermediate to Advanced Workshop 

Instructor: Jeffrey Johnson PA-C | Saturday, September 7, 2019 - 3:15PM-5:15PM | Cost $95.00 up to 2 Category 1 CME hours.

This workshop will offer attendees looking to advance their surgical skills the opportunity to go beyond the basic elliptical excision and simple interrupted suturing. Participants will learn intermediate and advanced surgical stitching and closures from an experienced dermatology PA. Enrolled participants should at a minimum skill level be able to place simple interrupted sutures and perform an elliptical excision prior to the workshop. 

Optional Track: Practical Management of Challenging Patients Track

Instructors: Eileen Cheever PA-C, Jennifer Conner PA-C & Vicki Roberts PA-C | Saturday, September 7, 2019 - 1:00PM-3:00PM | Included with Registration Fee, Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis. Up to 2 Category 1 CME hours.

Taught by three experienced dermatology PAs this track will explore strategies and interventions for management of challenging patients.  It will explore communication styles and help clinicians strategize on optimal ways to provide care for these varying styles of expression along with identifying ways to defuse patient/clinician conflicts.

Welcome Event & Charity Fundraiser

Thursday, September 5, 2019 - 5:30PM-7:30PM | Included for all conference registrants, Guest Fee of $25 applies (Must be 18 or older.)

All conference participants, faculty, sponsors, and exhibitors are invited to attend this memorable Welcome Event to kick off the conference with live music, wine/beer, and appetizers.  The event will also be a launch party for the 2019 GDPA Miles for Melanoma Team to benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Meeting Details:

Hotel Reservations:  A block of rooms have been reserved at the Westin Buckhead at the single/double rate of $195.00 plus 16.9% tax per night for standard rooms plus Georgia State Hotel-Motel fee of $5.00 per room per night.  There is an additional fee for each additional person.  Children up to and including the age of 18 years are free when occupying the same room as their parents.  Rates are available through August 12, 2019 or until entire room block has been filled whichever comes first.  Any reservations requested after August 12, 2019 will be subject to prevailing rates and night commitment.  Conference organizers assume no responsibility beyond securing reduced rates on behalf of the Participant.  You MUST cancel your reservation with the Hotel 72 hours prior to arrival to avoid a cancellation penalty. An early departure fee of $75 will apply if guests check out prior to the confirmed checkout date.  Hotel will confirm arrival/departure dates with guest at check-in.

Check in time is 4:00pm and checkout time is noon.  All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card.  The Hotel's policy requires a credit card imprint upon check-in.

Reservations can be made online: Hotel Reservations

Reservations can also be made by calling the hotel directly at 404-365-0065 and identify yourself as a member of the GDPA Group.

Transportation 

From Atlanta-Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Westin Buckhead:

Estimated Taxi Fare: Approximately $38.00 + (per each way)

A&M Shuttle Service by request, fee: $30 one way and $46 round trip.  For more information and to book your reservation call 1-770-955-4565.

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA Train) one way fare is $2.75.  Take the North-North Springs Line from the Airport Station to Buckhead Station (N7).  Walk one (1) block North on Peachtree Rd.  Hotel is on the right.

Uber and Lyft: Both are available and serve the Atlanta Airport.

Cancellations:  A cancellation fee of $99.00 will be charged for all registrations cancelled prior to July 1, 2019 with written notification to GDPA, 6547 Preakness Pass, Bulverde, TX 78163 or by email to [email protected].  Please allow 4 weeks for processing of any approved refund.  

For any cancellations made after June 30, 2019 due to medical reasons, a letter from your attending physician stating that the medical reasons will prevent attendance at the Conference, must be sent along with a written cancellation notification to GDPA. If approved your Conference Registration Fee less a $99.00 cancellation fee will then be applied to next year’s GDPA Derm PEARLS Conference.

For any cancellations made after June 30, 2019 due to natural disaster, a letter indicating the circumstances that will prevent attendance at the Conference, must be sent along with a written cancellation notification to GDPA, 6547 Preakness Pass, Bulverde, TX 78163. If approved your Conference Registration Fee less a $99.00 cancellation fee will then be refunded.

For any cancellations made after June 30, 2019 due to immediate death in family (child, partner, spouse, parent or grandparents) a written cancellation notification to GDPA, 6547 Preakness Pass, Bulverde, TX 78163. If approved your Conference Registration Fee less a $99.00 cancellation fee will be refunded.   

There will be NO refund for any cancellations made after June 30, 2019 for any other reasons.

GDPA reserves the right to cancel the meeting up to four (4) weeks prior to the event.  In the event of cancellation, conference organizers cannot be responsible for reimbursement of airline fees and other accommodation expenses.

Workshop/Track Policy:  A workshop/track participant accepts responsibility for the following: mastery of the minimum listed prerequisite skills prior to enrollment as well as providing their own required supplies as listed.  While the GDPA will make every effort to ensure that course objectives are covered within the time frame of the workshop/track, we understand individual instructors may differ in teaching style and techniques.  It is the sole responsibility of the individual participant to initiate dialog with the course instructor during the workshop/track to ensure their desired skills are covered and comprehended prior to completion in the course time allotted. The GDPA cannot be responsible for failure on the part of the participant to learn individual skills.   GDPA will not offer refunds or future course credits to workshop/track participants under any circumstances once the participant has signed in to the workshop/track.  Any workshop/track cancellations that precede the start time of the workshop are subject to normal GDPA conference registration cancellation policies.