I've been going to Schweiger's since 2016. I'm very pleased with Lucas and Michelle. Yesterday 7/18/25 I went to Schweiger's Dermatology for a skin blemish I detected. It happened rather quickly and I was a bit on edge. They assigned a new PA to handle me. Her name was Abigail Dugo. She is a relatively a new employee there. Schweiger's made a good choice in hiring her. This young woman takes her job seriously and does it well. She examined me and said my blemish was non-malignant. But she didn't stop there. She started asking me questions about medications I take. And if I was taking anything new. I said no but then remembered I added "Garlique" pills to my diet. Plus I take a clove at night before bed to be cautious with my breath. As soon as I said that, BOOM, she said your blood is running to thin. You're taking 81 mg of aspirin, garlique pills, plus raw garlic. She did some more research, showed me pictures. We discussed it further and came to a solution to the problem. Less garlic, no pills at leas for awhile. She also mentioned that the older people get, our skin gets thinner. As pleased as I am with her analysis of my skin blemish, I am equally pleased with her medical skills and training. She takes her job seriously. She is an all-star! She is well trained. To become a dermatology Physician Assistant (PA), you need to complete a bachelor's degree, then a PA master's program, and finally gain experience in dermatology through clinical rotations and on-the-job training. This process typically takes around six years. Here's a more detailed breakdown: 1. Bachelor's Degree: Begin with a bachelor's degree in a relevant field like medical assisting, biology, or a related science. Prior experience in a related field like a spa esthetician can be helpful, according to ZipRecruiter. 2. Master's Degree in PA Studies: Enroll in a PA program, which usually takes about two years to complete. PA programs cover general medical and surgical education, including classroom instruction and clinical rotations. These rotations may include experience in areas like dermatology, emergency medicine, and pediatrics. You'll study subjects like anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical laboratory science. 3. Dermatology-Specific Training: After graduating, you'll need to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Many PAs choose to specialize in dermatology after gaining certification, with on-the-job training provided by a supervising dermatologist. This on-the-job training may involve shadowing, increasing responsibilities, reviewing labs and biopsies, and eventually seeing patients with the supervising physician present. The Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) offers resources like the SDPA Diplomate Fellowship Program, which is a comprehensive online training program in dermatology. Further training may include dermatology conferences, journals, and self-study courses. Some PAs may also have the opportunity to complete a dermatology PA residency program. 4. Continuing Education: PAs are required to complete continuing medical education (CME) credits every two years and recertify through boards every ten years. Staying up-to-date with advancements in dermatology is crucial for practicing as a PA.