New York-based dermatologist Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD, is spearheading a specialized educational initiative targeting hair loss and scalp disorders with the launch of the DermVIP Summit. The inaugural conference aims to provide dermatologists, residents, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners with a comprehensive update on the latest advances in diagnosing and treating hair and scalp conditions.
Spizuoco, founder of True Dermatology, faculty member at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and member of the Dermatology Times Editorial Advisory Board, is co-chairing the summit alongside Peter Friedman, MD, a dermatologist and researcher at The Skin Center Dermatology Group. The pair plan to leverage their complementary expertise to create a conference focused on practical, evidence-based education for clinicians.
Filling a Critical Gap in Hair Loss Education
Hair and scalp disorders have long been underrepresented in dermatology education, despite growing clinical and research interest. “There aren’t a lot of conferences that focus on hair disorders,” Spizuoco said. “Hair loss and disorders like androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata are really important and trending.”
The summit will cover emerging diagnostic algorithms, procedural therapies, and adjunctive treatments for complex hair conditions. “We really want to bring to light how these disorders can now be treated very successfully,” Spizuoco noted.
Expert Faculty and Comprehensive Curriculum
The DermVIP Summit features a distinguished roster of dermatology experts, including:
- Prince Adotama, MD
- Scott Drew, DO, FAAD, FAOCD
- Doris Day, MD, FAAD
- Robert Finney, MD, FAAD
- Mark Lebwohl, MD
- Kristen Lo Sicco, MD, FAAD
- Omar Noor, MD, FAAD
- Neil Sadick, MD, FAAD, FAACS, FACP, FACPh
- Jerry Shapiro, MD
- Lisa Swanson, MD, FAAD
Sessions will address inflammatory and autoimmune hair loss, pediatric alopecia, hair disorders in skin of color, diffuse shedding, and related conditions including peliosis, prurigo nodularis, scalp vitiligo, systemic hair loss, bullous pemphigoid, seborrheic dermatitis, and certain cancers.
From Vision to Reality
The idea for the summit emerged from a gap Spizuoco and Friedman identified in New York’s dermatology conference landscape. While the city hosts multiple dermatology events annually, none have focused exclusively on hair and scalp education.
Spizuoco emphasized the conference’s focus on dermatology professionals rather than general audiences: “We want to make sure our dermatology colleagues have the most up-to-date experts teaching them—our ‘VIP speakers.’”
The partnership between Spizuoco and Friedman has proven highly effective, despite their short acquaintance. “Where I’m stronger on conference planning, he’s stronger on the topics we should discuss. It’s been really great working together,” Spizuoco said.
Looking Ahead
The DermVIP Summit is positioned as an annual touchstone for dermatologists seeking cutting-edge, clinically relevant education. Spizuoco hopes it will become a local staple while remaining open to future national and international expansion.
“Our goal for our attendees is to take away the latest updates on how to manage, treat, and diagnose hair loss disorders for their patients and for our community,” she said.
