ABOUT US
THE SOUTH AFRICAN DERMATOLOGY
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS SOCIETY
The most important constitutional objective of the Dermatology Society of South Africa is to promote the science and practice of dermatology in order to optimise patient care by providing continuing education and networking opportunities for it’s members.
However, when patients consult a dermatological practice, they engage with other members of the dermatologist’s “dermcare team” who also contribute towards optimising their dermatologic care. The education and training of these physician assistants has been left to the individual dermatologist, but, in 2015 it was time for a paradigm shift!
Marcelle Salida was tasked by the executive committee of The Dermatology Society of South Africa to found The South African Dermatology Physician Assistants Society (SADPAS), a subgroup of The Dermatology Society of South Africa. In 2015, SADPAS was officially unveiled at The Dermatology Society of South Africa annual congress at Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensberg.
The South African Dermatology Physician Assistants Society (SADPAS), a subgroup of The Dermatology Society of South Africa. Dermatology physician assistants are defined as professionals who care for dermatologic patients and have direct patient contact, working together with dermatologists to make a difference in patient care throughout South Africa.
SADPAS is about working together with dermatologists to make a difference in patient care throughout South Africa. Members will be empowered to add value to dermatologic practices by being exposed to innovative, effective, evidence-based educational programs, and training in state-of-the-art aesthetic and physician assistant dermatological procedures.
We invite you to enhance your practice profile by registering your dermatology physician assistants at The SADPAS Conference 2025 at Dermatology Congress DURBAN KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on Saturday 23 August 2025 at Durban Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
The following members of a dermatologist’s “dermcare team” are eligible:
• Clinic owners
• Practice managers
• Medical receptionists
• Registered nurses
• Medical technologists
• Qualified skincare therapists
• Financial administrators
The Aims of The Society are to provide:
• continuing education and proficiency training
• networking opportunities with other members
• hands-on meetings / workshops
• updates on the latest developments in dermatology
• best practices to optimise patient care
• an annual congress running in parallel with The DSSA Congress
• regional meetings
• answers to frequently-asked questions
• a quarterly journal
• accreditation as a long-term goal
• networking with dermatology physician assistants
• societies globally
We at SADPAS believe that education and learning is the cornerstone to treating patients.