Laurice Ingram, PA-C, discusses his experience at the 2021 Elevate-Derm Conference at the Fairmont Austin.
In this video
Ingram explains that his path to Elevate began during a hybrid dermatology fellowship, when the PA he was training under — who had trained at Duke — suggested they attend together in Austin for the "good wealth of topics on the syllabus." He says he's had so much fun and learned so much that he keeps coming back year after year. A lesson he's carried into daily practice comes from Dr. Craiglow's reminder to stay in touch with how patients actually feel — checking the severity a patient is experiencing against what the clinician perceives it to be, especially when burnout starts to chip away at that humbleness.
He also credits the community itself as a buffer against burnout. Getting more involved on the Whova app this year gave him a "quick, easy way to break the ice" and network not just with fellow attendees but with sponsors and faculty. Comparing notes with colleagues, Ingram says Elevate stands out for striking "the perfect balance" — it feels like being in school, but the fun and the connections with PAs across the country make the learning more rewarding.
- Stay in touch with how the patient feels — check the severity they're experiencing against what you perceive it to be, a point Ingram credits to Dr. Craiglow.
- Guard against burnout by keeping a bit of humbleness and genuinely interacting with patients.
- Peer connection is part of the antidote to burnout — networking with other PAs is both fun and rewarding.
- Use the conference app to break the ice and network with attendees, sponsors, and faculty alike.
- Ingram values Elevate for its balance of in-depth, school-like learning and enjoyment — enough that he keeps returning and bringing friends.
