Faculty

Alexa Hetzel

PA-C, DMSc
Director of Clinical Trials and Physician Assistant
Schweiger Dermatology

Alexa Hetzel, DMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in medical dermatology with over 12 years of experience in Dermatologoy and clinical research. She currently serves as a Principal Investigator and has participated as a sub-investigator in hundreds of dermatology clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of therapies across numerous inflammatory skin diseases.

Alexa is recognized as a national educator and key opinion leader in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, delivering educational programs and speaking at regional and national conferences. She serves as a liason on various conference boards and is passionate about advancing the role of physician assistants and nurse practitioners through education, leadership, and research.

She earned her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a focus on quality improvement, completing a project that significantly reduced the time to biologic therapy initiation for patients with psoriasis through the implementation of a patient-centered education program. Her professional interests include clinical research, evidence-based practice, provider education, and improving access to innovative dermatologic therapies.

2026 Sessions

How to Get Involved in Clinical Trials

Clinical trials play a critical role in advancing dermatologic care and expanding treatment options. This session introduces learners to the fundamentals of clinical research, including trial phases, regulatory considerations, and site responsibilities. Faculty will outline practical steps for getting involved, from identifying opportunities to participating as a sub-investigator or study coordinator. Attendees will gain insight into the benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations of clinical trial participation, along with strategies to integrate research into clinical practice.

Presenter

Saturday, September 26 7:40–7:55 PM
Room Marquis Ballroom B/C
Faculty

Alexa Hetzel

PA-C, DMSc
Director of Clinical Trials and Physician Assistant
Schweiger Dermatology

Alexa Hetzel, DMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in medical dermatology with over 12 years of experience in Dermatologoy and clinical research. She currently serves as a Principal Investigator and has participated as a sub-investigator in hundreds of dermatology clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of therapies across numerous inflammatory skin diseases.

Alexa is recognized as a national educator and key opinion leader in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, delivering educational programs and speaking at regional and national conferences. She serves as a liason on various conference boards and is passionate about advancing the role of physician assistants and nurse practitioners through education, leadership, and research.

She earned her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a focus on quality improvement, completing a project that significantly reduced the time to biologic therapy initiation for patients with psoriasis through the implementation of a patient-centered education program. Her professional interests include clinical research, evidence-based practice, provider education, and improving access to innovative dermatologic therapies.

Ask the Experts: Interactive Panel Q&A

This interactive panel session brings together expert faculty to address key questions and real-world challenges in clinical practice. Through audience-driven discussion, attendees will gain practical insights, diverse perspectives, and evidence-based guidance on complex topics. Emphasis will be placed on open dialogue, allowing learners to engage directly with experts and apply takeaways to everyday practice.

Panelist

Saturday, September 26 8:10–8:20 AM
Room Marquis Ballroom B/C
Faculty

Alexa Hetzel

PA-C, DMSc
Director of Clinical Trials and Physician Assistant
Schweiger Dermatology

Alexa Hetzel, DMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in medical dermatology with over 12 years of experience in Dermatologoy and clinical research. She currently serves as a Principal Investigator and has participated as a sub-investigator in hundreds of dermatology clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of therapies across numerous inflammatory skin diseases.

Alexa is recognized as a national educator and key opinion leader in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, delivering educational programs and speaking at regional and national conferences. She serves as a liason on various conference boards and is passionate about advancing the role of physician assistants and nurse practitioners through education, leadership, and research.

She earned her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a focus on quality improvement, completing a project that significantly reduced the time to biologic therapy initiation for patients with psoriasis through the implementation of a patient-centered education program. Her professional interests include clinical research, evidence-based practice, provider education, and improving access to innovative dermatologic therapies.

Faculty

Jennifer Silva

APRN-DNP
APRN
Central CT Dermatology

Innovation Theater (non-accredited): EBGLYSS®(lebrikizumab-lbkz): What could less mean for your patients?

Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company.

Presenter

Saturday, September 26 11:55–12:55 PM
Room Marquis Ballroom A
Faculty

Alexa Hetzel

PA-C, DMSc
Director of Clinical Trials and Physician Assistant
Schweiger Dermatology

Alexa Hetzel, DMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in medical dermatology with over 12 years of experience in Dermatologoy and clinical research. She currently serves as a Principal Investigator and has participated as a sub-investigator in hundreds of dermatology clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of therapies across numerous inflammatory skin diseases.

Alexa is recognized as a national educator and key opinion leader in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, delivering educational programs and speaking at regional and national conferences. She serves as a liason on various conference boards and is passionate about advancing the role of physician assistants and nurse practitioners through education, leadership, and research.

She earned her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a focus on quality improvement, completing a project that significantly reduced the time to biologic therapy initiation for patients with psoriasis through the implementation of a patient-centered education program. Her professional interests include clinical research, evidence-based practice, provider education, and improving access to innovative dermatologic therapies.

Masterclass in Dermatology: Beyond the Skin: Addressing Obesity & Cardiometabolic Risk in Psoriasis Management

Obesity is a common and often underrecognized comorbidity in patients with psoriasis that can influence disease severity, treatment response, and overall health outcomes. This session explores the shared inflammatory pathways linking psoriasis and obesity and highlights the importance of routine screening and patient-centered counseling. Attendees will gain practical strategies for incorporating evidence-based weight management approaches into dermatology practice. Through clinical examples and real-world applications, learners will be better equipped to deliver comprehensive care that addresses both skin disease and metabolic health.

Learning Objectives
• Assess the shared pathophysiologic mechanisms linking obesity and PsO and their impact on response to biologic therapies
• Implement evidence-based screening strategies (eg, BMI, waist circumference) for obesity and overweight in patients with PsO
• Evaluate available and emerging treatment strategies for PsO that also consider obesity and overweight to improve response and overall outcomes
• Address cardiometabolic risk in patients with comorbid PsO and obesity, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease, through comprehensive, multidisciplinary care

This activity is supported through an independent educational grant from Lilly.

Co-Presenter

Sunday, September 27 10:45–11:45 AM
Room Marquis Ballroom B/C
Faculty

Michael Garshick

MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Dermatology
NYU Langone Health

Michael S Garshick, MD, MS is a Cardiologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Dermatology at NYU Langone Health. Dr Garshick graduated from Tufts University Magna cum laude and Tufts University School of Medicine with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. He completed an internship and residency at Columbia University Medical Center, and a cardiology fellowship and a T32 research fellowship at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Garshick directs the Cardio-Rheumatology program, dedicated to recognizing and managing atherothrombotic complications in those with autoimmune diseases. He is co-chair and co-founder of the Cardio-Rheumatology working group within the American College of Cardiology and directs an annual cardio-inflammation symposium designed to advance the specialty of cardio-rheumatology. Dr. Garshick’s translational research laboratory uses a multi-omics (proteomics and transcriptomics) approach to study platelet and endothelial cell biology in inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and has received funding from the American Heart Association, National Psoriasis Foundation, The Dermatology Foundation, and the NIH.

Faculty

Alexa Hetzel

PA-C, DMSc
Director of Clinical Trials and Physician Assistant
Schweiger Dermatology

Alexa Hetzel, DMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in medical dermatology with over 12 years of experience in Dermatologoy and clinical research. She currently serves as a Principal Investigator and has participated as a sub-investigator in hundreds of dermatology clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of therapies across numerous inflammatory skin diseases.

Alexa is recognized as a national educator and key opinion leader in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, delivering educational programs and speaking at regional and national conferences. She serves as a liason on various conference boards and is passionate about advancing the role of physician assistants and nurse practitioners through education, leadership, and research.

She earned her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a focus on quality improvement, completing a project that significantly reduced the time to biologic therapy initiation for patients with psoriasis through the implementation of a patient-centered education program. Her professional interests include clinical research, evidence-based practice, provider education, and improving access to innovative dermatologic therapies.

How to Get Involved in Clinical Trials

Presenter

Saturday, October 17 7:40–7:55 AM
Room Amphitheater
Faculty

Alexa Hetzel

PA-C, DMSc
Director of Clinical Trials and Physician Assistant
Schweiger Dermatology

Alexa Hetzel, DMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in medical dermatology with over 12 years of experience in Dermatologoy and clinical research. She currently serves as a Principal Investigator and has participated as a sub-investigator in hundreds of dermatology clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of therapies across numerous inflammatory skin diseases.

Alexa is recognized as a national educator and key opinion leader in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, delivering educational programs and speaking at regional and national conferences. She serves as a liason on various conference boards and is passionate about advancing the role of physician assistants and nurse practitioners through education, leadership, and research.

She earned her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a focus on quality improvement, completing a project that significantly reduced the time to biologic therapy initiation for patients with psoriasis through the implementation of a patient-centered education program. Her professional interests include clinical research, evidence-based practice, provider education, and improving access to innovative dermatologic therapies.

Ask the Experts: Interactive Panel Q&A

This interactive panel session brings together expert faculty to address key questions and real-world challenges in clinical practice. Through audience-driven discussion, attendees will gain practical insights, diverse perspectives, and evidence-based guidance on complex topics. Emphasis will be placed on open dialogue, allowing learners to engage directly with experts and apply takeaways to everyday practice.

Panelist

Saturday, October 17 8:10–8:20 AM
Room Amphitheater
Faculty

Alexa Hetzel

PA-C, DMSc
Director of Clinical Trials and Physician Assistant
Schweiger Dermatology

Alexa Hetzel, DMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in medical dermatology with over 12 years of experience in Dermatologoy and clinical research. She currently serves as a Principal Investigator and has participated as a sub-investigator in hundreds of dermatology clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of therapies across numerous inflammatory skin diseases.

Alexa is recognized as a national educator and key opinion leader in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, delivering educational programs and speaking at regional and national conferences. She serves as a liason on various conference boards and is passionate about advancing the role of physician assistants and nurse practitioners through education, leadership, and research.

She earned her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a focus on quality improvement, completing a project that significantly reduced the time to biologic therapy initiation for patients with psoriasis through the implementation of a patient-centered education program. Her professional interests include clinical research, evidence-based practice, provider education, and improving access to innovative dermatologic therapies.

Faculty

Jennifer Silva

APRN-DNP
APRN
Central CT Dermatology

Masterclass in Dermatology: Beyond the Skin: Addressing Obesity & Cardiometabolic Risk in Psoriasis Management

Obesity is a common and often underrecognized comorbidity in patients with psoriasis that can influence disease severity, treatment response, and overall health outcomes. This session explores the shared inflammatory pathways linking psoriasis and obesity and highlights the importance of routine screening and patient-centered counseling. Attendees will gain practical strategies for incorporating evidence-based weight management approaches into dermatology practice. Through clinical examples and real-world applications, learners will be better equipped to deliver comprehensive care that addresses both skin disease and metabolic health.

Learning Objectives
• Assess the shared pathophysiologic mechanisms linking obesity and PsO and their impact on response to biologic therapies
• Implement evidence-based screening strategies (eg, BMI, waist circumference) for obesity and overweight in patients with PsO
• Evaluate available and emerging treatment strategies for PsO that also consider obesity and overweight to improve response and overall outcomes
• Address cardiometabolic risk in patients with comorbid PsO and obesity, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease, through comprehensive, multidisciplinary care

This activity is supported through an independent educational grant from Lilly.

Co-Presenter

Sunday, October 18 10:45–11:45 AM
Room Amphitheater
Faculty

Michael Garshick

MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Dermatology
NYU Langone Health

Michael S Garshick, MD, MS is a Cardiologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Dermatology at NYU Langone Health. Dr Garshick graduated from Tufts University Magna cum laude and Tufts University School of Medicine with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. He completed an internship and residency at Columbia University Medical Center, and a cardiology fellowship and a T32 research fellowship at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Garshick directs the Cardio-Rheumatology program, dedicated to recognizing and managing atherothrombotic complications in those with autoimmune diseases. He is co-chair and co-founder of the Cardio-Rheumatology working group within the American College of Cardiology and directs an annual cardio-inflammation symposium designed to advance the specialty of cardio-rheumatology. Dr. Garshick’s translational research laboratory uses a multi-omics (proteomics and transcriptomics) approach to study platelet and endothelial cell biology in inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and has received funding from the American Heart Association, National Psoriasis Foundation, The Dermatology Foundation, and the NIH.

Faculty

Alexa Hetzel

PA-C, DMSc
Director of Clinical Trials and Physician Assistant
Schweiger Dermatology

Alexa Hetzel, DMSc, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in medical dermatology with over 12 years of experience in Dermatologoy and clinical research. She currently serves as a Principal Investigator and has participated as a sub-investigator in hundreds of dermatology clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of therapies across numerous inflammatory skin diseases.

Alexa is recognized as a national educator and key opinion leader in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, delivering educational programs and speaking at regional and national conferences. She serves as a liason on various conference boards and is passionate about advancing the role of physician assistants and nurse practitioners through education, leadership, and research.

She earned her Doctor of Medical Science degree with a focus on quality improvement, completing a project that significantly reduced the time to biologic therapy initiation for patients with psoriasis through the implementation of a patient-centered education program. Her professional interests include clinical research, evidence-based practice, provider education, and improving access to innovative dermatologic therapies.

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