Pediatric Pearls and Disco Fever
From Little Patients to Big Revelations - Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Park City, Utah
Friday at the Elevate-Derm Summer 2025 welcomed attendees with clear skies, fresh coffee, and a morning yoga session on Hailstone Terrace that set the tone for a day centered on growth—clinical, personal, and community-wide. With hundreds of attendees flowing through the Jordanelle pre-function space, the energy was high from sunrise through sunset.
Morning Momentum: Pediatric Dermatology in Focus
The clinical day launched at 7:30 a.m. with a session dedicated to dermatology’s smallest patients. In “Pediatric Dermatology in Focus: Kodachrome Case Studies,” Dr. Jim Treat challenged attendees with complex visual diagnoses and underscored the importance of pattern recognition. He also cautioned that children with molluscum lasting more than three years or with a high number of lesions should be referred to immunology, as persistent or exuberant viral infections can be a red flag for underlying immune dysfunction. He also discussed signs and symptoms in the skin that warrant a referral for genetic testing.
Attendees then dove into “Treating High Impact Sites in Psoriasis” with Dr. Tina Bhutani. Her insights on managing psoriasis in challenging areas, such as the scalp, nails, and intertriginous zones, provided practical takeaways for improving patient quality of life. She reminded the group that patients with nail, scalp, or intergluteal psoriasis—or those with psoriasis in three or more body sites—are at increased risk for developing psoriatic arthritis. Identifying these patterns early can change long-term outcomes.
A midmorning coffee break gave attendees time to connect with exhibitors and explore the vibrant exhibit hall. Just steps away, the Project Happy Face screening initiative continued throughout the day, offering complimentary cancer checks to the local community.
Midday Masterclass: Vascular Clues, Emergencies, and Elevation
Following the break, Dr. Jim Treat returned for two clinically rich, back-to-back sessions. In “Navigating Pediatric Vascular Anomalies,” he emphasized the importance of pattern recognition, noting that lumbosacral hemangiomas are highly associated with tethered spinal cord and that multiple faint pink patches in infants could signal underlying arteriovenous malformations of the brain or spine.
In “Pediatric Dermatologic Emergencies,” Dr. Treat provided life-saving pearls, such as recognizing RIME (Reactive Infectious Mucocutaneous Eruption), which presents with necrosis of the lips, eyes, and other mucosa, often accompanied by few or no skin lesions, requiring urgent evaluation and referral.
Meanwhile, Victoria Garcia-Albea, NP, led “ELEVATE-ing the Science,” showcasing standout abstracts from conference attendees and other leaders in the dermatology field. Highlights included Icotrokinra’s breakthrough as the first oral peptide Interleukin-23 receptor blocker for the treatment of psoriasis and Remibrutinib’s rapid efficacy as a selective Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor, providing relief from chronic urticaria.
After a break for lunch, clinicians reconvened for more cutting-edge education.
Afternoon Immersion: Atopic Dermatitis, Hair Loss, Cancer Clues, and SkinSync Live!
The afternoon sessions kicked off with Dr. Alexandra Golant’s discussion of “Recent Advances in Atopic Dermatitis: New Insights and Treatment Strategies,” where she noted that oral corticosteroids are an antiquated and unsustainable treatment of atopic dermatitis. She also highlighted new, safe, and sustainable treatments for this chronic condition, as well as updated guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Amy Spizuoco’s “Alopecia Update: What You Should Know in 2025” also drew a strong crowd. She developed a diagnostic framework for scarring and non-scarring alopecia, addressing clinical challenges in alopecia patients. She also highlighted treatments for preventing hair loss progression and controlling inflammation driving the various types of alopecia.
After attendees enjoyed a break for dessert and coffee, Dr. Anisha Patel took the stage for her lecture “Skin as a Window: Identifying Cancer Syndromes Through Cutaneous Clues.” Dr. Patel encouraged attendees to think systemically. She shared compelling information about paraneoplastic diseases, cancer syndromes, and cutaneous metastasis. Also, she provided clinical pearls on when to refer patients for further cancer screenings based on their skin findings.
The always-popular SkinSync Live podcast returned to the main stage, with hosts Buchi Neita, PA-C, and Shanna Miranti, PA-C, who were joined by special guest Dr. Alexandra Golant, MD. They recorded “CSUniversity: Expanding Horizons” in front of a live audience and gave a riveting discussion on chronic spontaneous urticaria. Attendees received tips on distinguishing different types of urticaria and treatment options to apply in their practices.
Dr. Alexandra Golant remained on the stage for a final educational session, “My Approach to Atopic Dermatitis in 2025,” and shared her algorithm for navigating the increasingly crowded therapeutic landscape. This enriching lecture was full of treatment guideline updates and special considerations for atopic dermatitis.
Evening Reflections: Disco After Dark
By evening, the Jordanelle ballroom quieted, and the Empire Room lit up. “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme: Disco After Dark” kicked off at 8:00 p.m., transforming the networking vibe into a glittering dance floor. With attendees donning sequins and retro glam, it was a night of connection, celebration, and well-earned fun under the disco lights.
Whether discussing hair loss or hitting the dance floor, Friday at Elevate-Derm Summer 2025 was a reminder that clinical excellence and community energy aren’t just compatible—they’re contagious.
We're excited to share that conference photos are available for download through the provided link, allowing you to relax and focus on your learning experience. Enjoy capturing these memories!
