Society Of Dermatology Physician Associates (sdpa)

What Society Of Dermatology Physician Associates (sdpa) does

Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1994 and headquartered at 400 Virginia Ave SW, Suite 610, Washington DC. It serves over 5,000 Dermatology Physician Associates (DermPAs) across all 50 U.S. states, making it the largest constituent specialty organization of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) among 26 specialty organizations. Its stated mission is to elevate the role of DermPAs through knowledge, advocacy, leadership, and engagement, and the organization addresses a structural shortage in dermatologic care — approximately 3.4 dermatologists per 100,000 people in the U.S. and roughly half of dermatologists employing a PA — by training, credentialing, and advocating for the DermPA workforce.

SDPA's core product platform centers on a multi-tiered membership ($25–$150 per year across Student, International DermPA, Affiliate, Associate, DermNP, and Fellow tiers), the SDPA Online Learning Center delivering 250+ CME hours annually, the SDPA Diplomate fellowship program (18 modules, 52 AAPA Category 1 CME hours, $1,199 full bundle), and the peer-reviewed quarterly Journal of Dermatology for PAs (JDPA) indexed on OVID and EBSCOhost. The technology backbone runs on YourMembership (membership management), a dedicated learning.dermpa.org LMS, and the SDPA Connect online community (sdpasocial.dermpa.org), with supplementary channels including the Dermcast podcast (dermcast.live), a webinar series, and Find a DermPA / Hire a DermPA directories. Two flagship annual conferences (Summer and Fall) bring together 600+ attendees and 40+ exhibitors. Adjacent programs include RISE DermPA mentorship, the Johnson & Johnson-sponsored Emerging Scholars Program (140+ scholars to date), the Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF, the 501(c)(3) charitable arm founded in 2015), and the Faces of Recognition Coalition, which advocates to correct Medicaid misclassification of dermatologic conditions as cosmetic.

Revenue is generated through membership dues (recurring annual subscriptions), conference registrations and exhibitor fees, the Diplomate program and individual module sales ($19–$138), peer-reviewed journal and CME product sales, merchandise, and corporate sponsorships from at least ten pharma and medtech partners across Legacy (AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Castle Biosciences, Johnson & Johnson, LEO Pharma, L'Oréal, Organon, Sanofi Regeneron), Visionary (Eli Lilly), and NextGen (Forus Therapeutics) tiers. SDPA also operates a state affiliate and ambassador program across all 50 states, advocacy at the federal/state/health plan level, and a full elected board governance structure. The organization explicitly does not disclose financials and is governed as a member-owned nonprofit with no parent company or external equity ownership.

Name

Society Of Dermatology Physician Associates (sdpa)

Legal name

Society of Dermatology Physician Associates

Website

https://dermpa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SDPA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1994, serving 5,000+ Dermatology Physician Associates across all 50 U.S. states through education (CME, Diplomate fellowship), advocacy (federal/state policy), community (conferences, SDPA Connect), and career resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from multiple tiers including Fellow ($150), DermNP ($130), Associate ($120), Affiliate ($100), Student ($25), Physician ($90), and International DermPA ($50). The organization also generates revenue through conference registrations, Diplomate program fees ($1,199 for full bundle), and individual module purchases ($19-$138 per module).
2. Education Programs: Revenue from SDPA Diplomate program ($1,199 full bundle), individual module sales ($19-$138 each), group rates for practices, and online course purchases.
3. Emerging Scholars Program Sponsorship: Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, this initiative supports early-career DermPAs with specialized education, mentorship, and networking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SDPA is a nonprofit professional membership organization that sells tiered annual memberships (Fellow $150, Associate $120, Student $25, DermNP $130, Affiliate $100, Physician $0, International DermPA $50) to Dermatology Physician Associates and related professionals. Members gain access to 250+ CME hours annually through the SDPA Online Learning Center, the JDPA peer-reviewed journal, two flagship conferences, the Dermcast podcast, the SDPA Connect online community, and the Diplomate fellowship program ($1,199 full bundle). The organization also delivers advocacy, mentorship, and career services as member benefits.

Product overview

The Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) is a professional membership organization offering a unified platform of products and services centered on education, advocacy, and community for Dermatology PAs. The core offering is SDPA Membership ($25-$150/year depending on category), which provides access to the SDPA Online Learning Center with 250+ CME hours, the Journal of Dermatology for PAs (JDPA) peer-reviewed journal, and the SDPA Diplomate fellowship program. The organization hosts two flagship Dermatology Conferences annually (Summer and Fall) offering CME accredited through AAPA. Additional products include Dermcast podcast, SDPA Connect online community, Webinar Series, Find a DermPA directory, Hire a DermPA job board, Salary Survey, Emerging Scholars Program, RISE DermPA mentorship, and the Faces of Recognition advocacy coalition. The Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) operates as a 501(c)(3) sub-brand offering medical mission scholarships and research grants. With over 5,000 members, SDPA is the largest constituent specialty organization of AAPA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RISE DermPA: Mentorship initiative designed to foster professional development, provide expert guidance, and build enduring relationships within the dermatology community.
• SDPA Diplomate: The Legacy of Excellence
• Emerging Scholars Program
• Dermcast
• Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF)

Products and services

• SDPA Membership Tiered annual professional membership for Dermatology Physician Associates (DermPAs) and related professionals. Includes Fellow ($150), Associate ($120), Student ($25), DermNP ($130), Affiliate ($100), Physician ($0 complimentary), and International DermPA ($50) tiers. Members receive access to JDPA, SDPA Connect, conferences, CME, career center, advocacy, and member benefits.
• SDPA Diplomate: The Legacy of Excellence Premier training program for PAs in dermatology delivering 52 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME across 18 interactive modules mapped to Dermatology Essentials by Bolognia et al. Features clinical scenarios, demo videos, audio content, and knowledge checks. Full bundle $1,199; individual modules $19–$138. Graduates receive $10 annual discount on membership dues.
• Journal of Dermatology for PAs (JDPA) Official quarterly peer-reviewed journal of SDPA published in print and interactive digital formats. Covers Clinical, Surgical, and Cosmetic Dermatology topics and includes AAPA Category 1 CME-accredited articles available to SDPA members at no cost. Indexed on OVID and EBSCOhost.
• SDPA Dermatology Conferences Two flagship annual in-person conferences (Summer and Fall) bringing together 600+ attendees and 40+ exhibitors. Offers premier dermatology CME, networking, and exhibitor engagement. Each conference provides AAPA Category 1 CME credit.
• Dermcast Podcast and Webinar Platform Podcast and educational content platform offering curated podcast episodes, webinars, and quick-hit Snackademics on emerging dermatology treatments and trending clinical topics.
• SDPA Connect Online Community Exclusive online member community for DermPA professionals to connect, collaborate, share knowledge, and engage in peer-to-peer collaboration. Features personalized feeds, case collaboration tools, professional recognition badges, and networking opportunities.
• SDPA Webinar Series Live and recorded educational webinars offering AAPA Category 1 CME credits. On-demand courses are available through the Online Learning Center. Free for SDPA members.
• SDPA Online Learning Center Digital education platform offering on-demand CME courses, webinars, conference recordings, and specialized courses covering dermatologic advancements and trends. Includes access to 250+ CME hours annually and the SDPA Diplomate fellowship program.
• SDPA Clinical Guidelines Evidence-based clinical practice recommendations developed by PAs for PAs to support clinicians in making informed decisions at the point of care. Includes Serologic Testing Guidelines for Alopecia as the first SDPA clinical practice guideline.
• Find a DermPA Directory Member directory service allowing patients and practices to locate qualified DermPA professionals. Available to SDPA Fellow members working with board-certified or board-eligible dermatologists.
• SDPA Salary Survey Comprehensive compensation and benefits survey providing insights into dermatology practice trends. The 2024 Practice Survey Report is available to members as a member benefit.
• Hire a DermPA Job Board Job board and recruitment platform connecting dermatologists with qualified DermPA professionals. Includes resume bank, job postings, career resources, and compensation data. Free for job seekers; employers post listings to reach DermPA candidates.
• Emerging Scholars Program Early-career support initiative for DermPAs in their first 5 years, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Includes pre-conference experiences, advanced clinical sessions, mentorship, and networking events. Selects up to 40 scholars per conference.
• RISE DermPA Mentorship Program Mentorship initiative providing opportunities for experienced DermPAs to guide the next generation. Available at no cost to SDPA members, fostering professional development and community relationships.
• Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) Programs 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable arm of SDPA founded in 2015. Programs include Medical Mission Scholarships ($2,000 awards), Research Support Grants, Talks in a Box community outreach, and Free Skin Checks. Addresses dermatology care gaps in underserved areas.
• Faces of Recognition Coalition National alliance advocating to correct misclassification of dermatologic conditions (vitiligo, alopecia areata) as cosmetic under Medicaid. Works to improve insurance coverage, increase research funding, and drive policy change at federal and state levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to 250+ CME hours annually through live conferences, online courses, and workshops
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• AbbVieflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy Partner providing educational grants and corporate sponsorship for SDPA conferences and member resources supporting dermatology education.
• Bristol Myers SquibbflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy Partner supporting SDPA educational initiatives, conferences, and member resources through corporate sponsorship.
• Castle BiosciencesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy Partner providing support for SDPA conferences and member education programs.
• Johnson & JohnsonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy Partner and sponsor of the Emerging Scholars Program supporting early-career DermPAs with education, mentorship, and networking.
• LEO PharmaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy Partner supporting SDPA educational initiatives and member resources in dermatology.
• L'OréalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy Partner supporting dermatological beauty education and SDPA member resources.
• OrganonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy Partner supporting SDPA conferences and educational programs.
• Sanofi RegeneronflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy Partner providing corporate sponsorship for SDPA educational initiatives and conferences.
• Eli Lilly and CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisionary Partner supporting SDPA through corporate sponsorship and educational grants.
• Forus TherapeuticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNextGen Partner supporting SDPA educational programs and member resources.
• American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDPA is a recognized constituent organization of AAPA. SDPA holds a seat in the AAPA House of Delegates as one of 26 specialty organizations, advocating for DermPAs on issues such as reimbursement and clinical practice regulations.
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDPA works closely with AAD to support collaborative, team-based dermatologic care and advocate for greater recognition and access for DermPAs nationwide.
• The Sun BusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPAF partnered with The Sun Bus for public skin cancer screening events, promoting skin health and early detection of skin cancer within communities.
• International Medical Relief (IMR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPAF partners with IMR for medical mission scholarships, supporting DermPAs in bringing dermatology care to underserved communities internationally.
• Faces of Recognition CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational alliance of dermatology providers, patient advocacy organizations, and stakeholders united to correct misclassification of dermatologic conditions as cosmetic, advocating for improved Medicaid coverage.
• 15+ National Patient Advocacy GroupscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDPA partners with multiple national patient advocacy groups to support dermatology awareness and patient access to care.
• University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDPA partnered with MD Anderson Cancer Center for dermoscopy education courses, offering Dermoscopy Made Easy and Melanoma Detection/Diagnosis training.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA): AAPA is the parent national professional organization for the entire PA profession, of which SDPA is the largest constituent specialty society. AAPA provides umbrella advocacy, CME standards, and House of Delegates representation that SDPA relies on; both share a membership-based, advocacy-and-education model but AAPA serves all PAs across specialties.
• American College of Physicians (ACP): ACP is a major internal medicine physician society with tiered membership, peer-reviewed journals (Annals of IM), MOC/CME programs, and federal advocacy—mirroring the operational pillars of SDPA but at much greater scale and serving physicians rather than PAs.
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP): AAFP is one of the largest U.S. physician specialty societies with a similar member-driven model (tiered dues, CME, journals, advocacy, state chapters). While serving family physicians rather than PAs, AAFP is comparable to SDPA as a large, established, vertically integrated medical membership organization with state affiliate infrastructure analogous to SDPA's 50-state network.
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): AAD is the physician (MD/DO) dermatology specialty society with which SDPA partners on team-based care. Both run major annual conferences, publish peer-reviewed journals, and advocate on dermatology policy, but AAD serves board-certified dermatologists rather than PAs and is significantly larger and more established.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): AAP is a large U.S. specialty society offering tiered membership, a flagship peer-reviewed journal (Pediatrics), CME, advocacy, and chapter-based infrastructure. AAP serves pediatricians rather than DermPAs, but its scale, diversified programming, and sponsorship/CME model closely resemble the architecture SDPA operates at a smaller scale.

Direct peers

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP): AANP is the largest national membership organization for nurse practitioners, including the DermNP members SDPA serves. Both organizations use a tiered membership model, deliver CE/CME, run national conferences, publish clinical resources, and advocate at federal/state levels—making AANP the closest non-PA peer for SDPA's membership business model.
• Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (SEMPA): SEMPA is a constituent specialty organization within AAPA dedicated to emergency medicine PAs. Like SDPA, it operates a tiered membership model, offers CME-accredited education, hosts a specialty journal, and runs an annual conference—making it the most structurally comparable PA specialty association peer to SDPA.
• Association of Plastic Surgery Physician Assistants (APSPA): APSPA is a constituent AAPA specialty organization serving PAs in plastic and reconstructive surgery. It shares SDPA's operating DNA: small staff, tiered membership, CME delivery, an annual conference, and a peer-reviewed journal, making it a directly comparable niche specialty society peer.
• American Academy of Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery (AAPAOS): AAPAOS is another AAPA-affiliated specialty society, serving orthopaedic PAs with a tiered membership model, CME programming, an annual conference, and advocacy work. It is one of the closest structural peers to SDPA in terms of size, target audience (specialty PAs), and product mix.

Others

• Pri-Med: Pri-Med is a commercial CME provider delivering primary-care-focused live conferences and on-demand education funded by pharma grants. It is an adjacent/competing ecosystem to SDPA's Online Learning Center and Dermcast for CME delivery, even though it does not serve the PA specialty membership segment directly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/dermPA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dermpa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Society Of Dermatology Physician Associates (sdpa)