Speakers

IL-23 and the Autoimmune Axis Unveiled

Melissa Davis, MSPAS, PA-C

Melissa Davis is a board-certified Physician Assistant based in Louisville, Kentucky, with over 18 years of clinical experience. She earned dual undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Miami University in 2003. She went on to complete her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Kentucky in 2007.

Melissa began her career in Family Medicine, where she practiced for five years before transitioning to Dermatology in 2012. Since then, she has developed a strong clinical interest in psoriasis and other autoinflammatory skin conditions. She is deeply committed to patient education and advocacy, and takes great pride in delivering compassionate care to those she serves.

In addition to her clinical practice, Melissa is dedicated to shaping the next generation of healthcare providers precepting PAs and NPs. She serves as a clinical professor in the Physician Assistant Program at Sullivan University, where she mentors and trains future PAs. She also serves on the Advisory Board for the Maui Derm NPPA meeting, the editorial board of the Journal of Dermatology NPs and PAs (JDNPPA) and faculty for CDNPPA.

She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Physician Associates, the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants.

Melissa and her husband have called Louisville home since 2006. Together, they are proud parents of two sons.

Symptom Scoring and Screening: PsO and Related Conditions in the Clinic and in Trials

Victor Czerkasij, DNP, DCNP, FNP-BC, MSN, MA‍

Victor Czerkasij is a certified family nurse practitioner and a registered histotechnologist, as well as a dermatology certified nurse practitioner. He currently practices as senior provider for Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Dermatology, PC, in its Chattanooga and Cleveland, Tennessee, offices. Dr. Czerkasij holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Graceland University, Master of Science in Nursing with honors from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Southern Adventist University, and A.S. in Surgical Assisting from Keiser University.

‍He is a member of numerous organizations, including the National Society of Histotechnology, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner’s Association, Southeast Association of Histotechnologists, and Medical Lab Personnel and Medical Reserve Corps of Southeast Tennessee. He has been published in and serves as an editorial board member and popular podcast speaker for the Nurse Practitioner Journal and reviews articles for the Journal of Nurse Practitioners. He founded and moderates Dermatology Nurse Practitioners, a Facebook site with nearly 6,000 members. In addition to being an in-demand guest lecturer at various universities, Dr. Czerkasij is adjoint faculty at Vanderbilt.

He is principal investigator in a ten-year study on the safety of psoriasis biologics. Heparticipates in national medical advisory boards evaluating and consulting regarding the data of many FDA-approved medications, especially in atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, urticaria and acne. Dr Czerkasij travels frequently to Ukraine, where he provides wound and burn care management, lectures at medical universities, and works with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health regarding the NP role.

He has been married for nearly 45 years to his high school sweetheart, Rene, and they reside in Bradley County, Tennessee, where they have a pond, bee hives, fruit trees and koi fish. They have two grown sons, a nurse and engineer.

Insights in Rheumatology

Lakshi Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP, FAANP

Lakshi Aldredge practices at the VA Portland Healthcare System as a dermatology nurse practitioner and is the director for the Primary Care NP Residency Program. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Portland in 1998 and is certified as both an adult nurse practitioner and dermatology certified nurse practitioner. Ms. Aldredge is a past chair of the NP Society of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association, past president of the DNA, and past co-chair of the Dermatology Specialty Practice Group of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She served as president and immediate past president of the Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners in 2022-2023.

Ms. Aldredge is a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation Emeritus Medical Advisory Board. She also served on the editorial board for the Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association and is an associate editor for Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis. She has a special interest in immunologic dermatoses, as well as advocating for the role of NPs in the field of dermatology.

She has published numerous articles on the management of patients with psoriatic disease and atopic dermatitis. She received the VA’s Nursing Excellence Award in 2008, the President’s Award from the DNA in 2015 and the Outstanding Allied Health Award from the National Psoriasis Foundation 2016-17.

She is a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners.