GDPA Dermatology PEARLS Conference Review

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

The GDPA Dermatology PEARLS conference in the Atlanta area is a well organized, affordable dermatology CME event packed with practical pearls. With reasonable registration pricing, strong speakers, and a wide range of CME hours, it is an easy recommendation for anyone interested in dermatology.

Last Updated: June 12, 2026

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What is the GDPA Dermatology PEARLS conference?

The Georgia Dermatology Physician Assistants (GDPA) puts on an annual conference called Dermatology PEARLS, which stands for Physician Extenders Advanced Regional Learning Symposium. It is held in or near Atlanta, Georgia.

The CME offering is generous. There was a maximum of 26.5 hours of CME available, with up to 22.5 hours claimable per attendee, and 8 of those could count as self assessment if you were in the newer CME cycle [VERIFY]. Three workshops were offered covering Intermediate Surgery, Hyperhidrosis, and Neurotoxin and Fillers, though I did not participate in those. Pricing was reasonable: early registration ran $300 for non members and $275 for members, with each going up by $75 for later registration [VERIFY], so it pays to plan early.

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What was the conference experience like?

The conference was held at the Cobb Galleria Centre, with a hotel right next door. I did not need to stay over since family lives in Atlanta, but a 5 minute walk to the venue would have been nice. It ran 3 days, which felt right. There was a ton of information, and I was exhausted at the end of each day.

Everything was extremely organized and the schedule ran on time. A few lectures could have used more time for questions, but it was reassuring to always know what to expect throughout the day. Attendees received a notebook with all the conference information, wi-fi details, and a dedicated note page for each lecture, and I took tons of notes.

In Our Experience

In our experience, dermatology focused CME like PEARLS is a smart investment for students and new grads exploring the specialty. I always tell people that the connections you make and the practical pearls you pick up often matter as much as the formal lecture content.

Were the speakers and content worth it?

The speakers were all excellent, a mix of physicians and PAs, and I would happily spend a day learning from any of them. I do not think there was a single lecture where I did not learn something. A few topics went a little over my head, immunology being the main culprit, but I still walked away with a lot.

The pearls were the real value. I left with so many practical tips I was excited to try in practice. It was also reassuring to hear seasoned dermatology providers with 10, 20, or 30 years of experience admit they still struggle with some of the same skin conditions that frustrate newer clinicians. I had a great time, I learned a ton, and this is definitely a conference I plan to attend again.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Dermatology PEARLS offered a maximum of 26.5 CME hours with up to 22.5 claimable per attendee [VERIFY], which is a strong haul for a 3 day regional conference.

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Need to Know:

GDPA Dermatology PEARLS is an annual dermatology CME conference near Atlanta
It runs 3 days with a wide range of claimable CME hours
Workshops have included surgery, hyperhidrosis, and neurotoxin and fillers
Registration pricing is reasonable, with discounts for members and early sign up
Speakers include both physicians and PAs with practical, takeaway focused talks
It is well organized, runs on time, and is great for dermatology networking

FAQ

What is the GDPA Dermatology PEARLS conference?

It is an annual dermatology CME conference put on by the Georgia Dermatology Physician Assistants, held in or near Atlanta, Georgia.

How many CME hours does PEARLS offer?

The conference has offered a maximum of 26.5 hours, with up to 22.5 claimable per attendee, though you should verify the current cycle's totals before registering.

How much does the conference cost?

Early registration has run around $300 for non members and $275 for members, with later registration costing more. Always check current pricing before you sign up.

Are workshops available at PEARLS?

Yes, past workshops have covered intermediate surgery, hyperhidrosis, and neurotoxins and fillers, typically as add ons to the main lectures.

Is the conference good for students?

Absolutely. The speakers are strong, the content is practical, and it is a great place to learn about dermatology and network with people in the field.

Is PEARLS worth attending?

If you are interested in dermatology, it is a well organized, affordable conference with valuable pearls and great speakers, and many attendees return year after year.

CLOSING

If you are drawn to dermatology, the GDPA Dermatology PEARLS conference is an organized, affordable way to stack up CME and practical pearls while connecting with people in the field. I genuinely look forward to going back. If you want guidance on building a path toward a derm career as a PA, we are happy to help.

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GDPA Dermatology PEARLS Conference Review