Why I Attend Maui Derm: Bringing Dermatology and Aesthetic Education Back to Primary Care

I booked Maui Derm 2024 because dermatology is one of those areas that shows up constantly in primary care, even when the appointment was scheduled for something else.

Rashes, acne, hair loss, pigment changes, suspicious lesions, medication reactions, and questions about cosmetic treatments all cross the primary-care exam room. Staying current matters.

Why I keep going back

Maui Derm brings dermatology and aesthetic medicine into the same educational setting. For me, that means learning from specialists while thinking about what belongs in primary care, what can be treated safely in our setting, and what should be referred.

The topics I was most interested in

The 2024 agenda included updates in acne and rosacea, pigment disorders, hair loss, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, neuromodulators, dermal fillers, and live aesthetic demonstrations.

I am especially interested in the practical pieces: recognizing patterns earlier, improving treatment selection, knowing when a condition needs specialty care, and understanding the anatomy and safety considerations behind aesthetic procedures.

Continuing education should change practice

The value of a conference is not the destination or the photos. It is whether the education changes the way I evaluate, explain, treat, or refer a patient when I return home.

— Nora Phillips, DNP, APRN Central Health | Wahiawa, Hawaiʻi