Elevate-Derm East Conference Day 3
The enthusiasm from the previous night’s Nautical Networking Event seamlessly transitioned into the conference's third day.
The morning began with Dr. Jerry Shapiro, Director of Disorders of the Hair and Scalp at NYU, presenting an update on Alopecia Areata. He shared practical strategies for managing hair loss patients, including using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, which measures scalp hair loss. For insurance coverage of a JAK inhibitor, a SALT score of 50% or more is required. Dr. Shapiro also introduced Deuruxolitinib, a newly approved Janus Kinase 1/2 pathway inhibitor for treating alopecia areata.
Doug DiRuggiero, PA-C from Rome Dermatology, followed with a lecture titled “Who Cares about Conference Posters? Your Patients Do!” He emphasized the benefits of developing conference posters, such as staying abreast of the latest therapeutics and contributing to medical literature. Posters are cost-effective and can lead to published abstracts, enhancing career opportunities for advanced practice providers.
Dr. Adam Lipworth next delivered a valuable talk, “It Still Exists! A Hansen's Disease Primer for the Non-Leprologist,” drawing on his experiences at Lahey Clinic. He started with a nice tribute to Dr. Samuel Moschella, emphasizing his lifelong commitment to dermatology, especially to Hansen’s disease. Elevate-Derm is fortunate to have his granddaughter, Victoria (Tori) Garcia-Albea, NP, on our board. Dr.Lipworth continued to describe the clinical signs of leprosy, including diffuse lesions with normal sensation and symmetric neuropathy. He recommended using the World Health Organization’s diagnostic criteria: definite anesthesia of hypopigmented or reddish patches, thickened/enlarged peripheral nerves, or acid-fast bacilli on slit-skin smear.
Before lunch, Dr. Shapiro returned to discuss “Hair Disorders - How I Treat the Hard Stuff.” He reviewed scarring alopecia subtypes and cautioned about the potential side effect of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy from intralesional triamcinolone injections, which involves fluid accumulation under the retina.
After lunch, Elevate-Derm board members held a raffle with great prizes to those that completed their industry bingo from earlier in the week. Prizes included future conference registrations, Yeti swag, Apple products and so much more.
The afternoon sessions featured Dr. G. Michael Lewitt’s series on lab monitoring for small molecules and biologics, psoriasis in special populations, and challenges in obtaining these treatments. Key takeaways included the necessity of baseline TB screening for FDA-approved biologics and the need for extra lab monitoring for patients on combination therapies. Dr. Lewitt also highlighted the increased melanoma risk with abatacept and advised dermatology providers on documenting rating scales and affected areas to facilitate insurance coverage for medications.
The Dermatology Quiz Bowl, led by Veronica Richardson, NP, and Lisa Weiss, PA-C, provided a fun interlude with lively audience participation, culminating in a grand prize of a dermatoscope.
Dr. Aaron Ver Heul addressed itch and chronic urticaria, noting that urticarial lesions are transient, lasting less than 24 hours without scarring. He also discussed Alpha-gal syndrome, a food allergy triggered by tick bites, and recommended evaluating medications for common allergens. Allergy testing is suggested for consistent rapid reactions post-exposure.
The afternoon concluded with Dr. Adam Lipworth’s two-part update on Infectious Disease Management. He emphasized tenderness as a key diagnostic feature for cellulitis, advocated for incision and drainage for large furunculosis lesions, and discussed retiform purpura as an early indicator of a systemic, potentially malignant process.
Day 3 wrapped up with dinner as attendees prepared for the final morning’s lectures and their return journeys home.
