The Georgia Dermatolology Physician Assistants was begun after a group of local Dermatology PAs led by Douglas DiRuggiero PA-C, Mary Loggins PA-C, and Heidi Watts PA-C, sensed a need for a statewide group to support the increasing number of PAs practicing in the specialty of Dermatology in the state of Georgia. Eventually, our first meeting was held in April of 2002 during which we elected Douglas DiRuggiero PA-C as President. Douglas, went on to lead our organization during our early formative years and helped to establish our Annual Supervising Physician Appreciation Dinner and Annual Supervising Physician of the Year award. We owe a debt of grattitude to members of the Galderma sales professionals, particularly Janice Brigham, who helped put together that first meeting whereby the GDPA became the first statewide group of Dermatology PAs to organize.

Our Past Presidents:
2002-2006 - Douglas DiRuggiero PA-C
2006-2009 - Matthew Brunner PA-C
2009-2010 - T.J. Chao PA-C
2010-Present - Matthew Brunner PA-C