My Everyday Essentials as a Dermatology PA and Mom

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Staying organized as a working PA and mom comes down to a few simple systems that I actually stick to. I plan my week on paper, knock out daily clinic tasks like pathology reports first, and keep my planner and pens with me everywhere. The trick is finding tools that work for you and using them consistently.

Last Updated: June 12, 2026

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How do you stay organized as a busy PA, mom, and blogger?

People constantly ask me how I do it all, and the honest answer is that I lean on a few systems and refuse to overcomplicate them. I'm a pen and paper kind of girl, so a physical to-do list keeps my life in order. If I write something down, I'm much more likely to remember it than if I tuck it into an app.

My planner goes everywhere with me so I can stay on top of deadlines and tasks. Each week I take some time to review everything I need to get done, plus the things I'd like to start working on. Goal planning matters, and breaking bigger goals into small steps makes them feel achievable instead of overwhelming. When I'm creating a new podcast episode or video, I map out the topic, title, talking points, images, and links one step at a time. I also glance at my list daily and jot down anything new the second I think of it.

In this post:

What does a typical clinic day look like for a dermatology PA?

Once I get to work, there are a few tasks I do every single day. The first is my pathology reports. Since I do a lot of biopsies in dermatology, once results are faxed over I decide on a treatment and mark it on the report. I also check the previous day's schedule and send letters to patients who missed their appointments.

Once clinic starts it gets really busy and I see around 30 patients a day. They range from acne and eczema to skin checks and biopsies. If you ever get involved in doing biopsies, make sure to get consent from the patient and mark a skin map so the lesion can be found again in the future. After I'm done seeing patients, I finally head home to my baby girl, but my planner and pens come with me. You have to find the systems and tools that work for you and stick to them!

In Our Experience

After five years in dermatology, I've learned that the providers who feel the least frazzled are usually the ones with the simplest, most consistent systems. I'm not naturally the most organized person, so I had to build routines that hold up on a chaotic clinic day. Writing things down by hand is what works for my brain, and I protect that habit fiercely.

Why do small tools like a good pen matter so much?

It might sound silly, but the small tools really do make my day smoother. I'm picky about my pens, and having one with a good weight that dries quickly and looks nice is something I genuinely enjoy using. Patients actually notice, and I get a kick out of it when someone signing a consent form asks to keep my pen.

The bigger point is that the little things add up. When the tool you reach for feels good to use, you reach for it more often, and that consistency is what keeps you on track. Whether it's your planner, your pen, or your note app, find what clicks for you and let it become part of your routine. Disclosure: this post was originally sponsored by Zebra Pen, and all thoughts and opinions were my own.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

On a typical clinic day I see around 30 dermatology patients, so my morning pathology and no-show routine has to be quick and repeatable.

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Listen: Daily Life of a Dermatology Physician Assistant

You ask me about derm constantly, so here's the whole picture.

Episode show notes & key takeaways

You ask me about derm constantly, so here's the whole picture.

I've been a dermatology PA for over five years. I work part-time now and see about 25 patients a day. My days are a mix of medical derm, skin checks, biopsies, and cosmetic procedures - and yes, I do most of it independently.

The part I underestimated going in was the learning curve. Dermatology is pattern recognition, and patterns take reps. My first year I looked things up constantly. That's normal, and any specialty you pick will feel that way at first.

If derm interests you, shadow it. Then shadow something else. Clinic flow differs enormously between specialties and you want to know what kind of day suits you.

What I cover

My current schedule and patient volume
Procedures I do regularly, including biopsies
Medical versus cosmetic dermatology
The diagnostic learning curve as a new derm PA
Moving from a packed schedule to a saner one
Why shadowing multiple specialties matters

Resources

Follow The Pre-PA Club: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · All episodes

Need to Know:

Plan your week in advance and break big goals into small, doable steps
A physical to-do list can stick better than an app if you're a paper person
Build a fixed morning routine for recurring clinic tasks like pathology and no-shows
Always get consent and mark a skin map before a biopsy
Keep your planning tools with you so you can capture tasks the moment they pop up
Find the systems that fit you and stay consistent, even the small ones

FAQ

How many patients does a dermatology PA see in a day?

It varies by practice, but on a typical day I see around 30 patients, ranging from acne and eczema to skin checks and biopsies.

Do dermatology PAs do biopsies?

Yes, biopsies are a big part of dermatology. Just remember to get patient consent and mark a skin map so the lesion can be located again later.

Is paper planning better than digital for PAs?

It comes down to you. I retain things better when I write them by hand, but plenty of providers thrive with apps. Use whatever you'll actually stick with.

How do you balance being a PA, a mom, and a content creator?

I rely on weekly planning, daily list reviews, and breaking projects into small steps. Consistent systems matter more than doing everything perfectly.

What daily tasks do dermatology PAs handle outside of seeing patients?

I review pathology reports and decide on treatments, check the prior day's schedule, and send letters to patients who missed appointments.

How do you handle pathology results in dermatology?

Once results are faxed over, I review each one, decide on a treatment plan, and mark it directly on the report so follow-up is clear.

CLOSING

There's no single right way to stay organized, just the way that actually works for your brain and your schedule. Start with one simple system and protect it. If you want a head start, our free resources can help you build planning habits early in your pre-PA journey.

Pre-PA Counseling → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/pre-pa-counseling/

My Everyday Essentials as a Dermatology PA and Mom