Throughout her career, Vinca has remained dedicated to her education and career in healthcare. Earning both her master’s and doctorate in nursing from Quinnipiac, Vinca credits Quinnipiac for fueling her passion for dermatology. 

“My education at Quinnipiac significantly fueled my passion for nursing and dermatology through a combination of rigorous coursework, practical experiences and inspiring mentorship,” said Vinca. “In particular, the dermatology lectures allowed me to delve deeply into skin health, sparking a keen interest in dermatological care. The hands-on clinical rotations were invaluable, providing me with direct patient interaction and a profound appreciation for the impact of compassionate care.”

Now as a successful practitioner and founder of her non-profit organization, Vinca expresses her gratitude to her mentors at Quinnipiac for supporting her career.  

“Working closely with my professors, such as Laima Karosas, Mary Helming and Susan D'Agostino, who were passionate about their professions was incredibly motivating,” said Vinca. “Their guidance and enthusiasm for the field reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in this specialty. The comprehensive education and experiences at Quinnipiac have not only solidified my career goals but have also equipped me with the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field."

Upon launching her career in dermatology, Vinca observed that there was a significant gap in resources and support for dermatology providers in the region. 

“During my time working in dermatology, I encountered numerous challenges that providers faced, including limited access to continuing education, difficulties in networking with peers and a lack of collaborative opportunities,” she said. “These challenges were particularly pronounced in the Northeast, where the demand for dermatological care is high, but resources for professional development and support were insufficient.” 

Harnessing her passion for this field, Vinca felt a calling to make a profound impact on the dermatology field, inspiring her to start her non-profit organization. 

“Recognizing these issues, I was motivated to create a platform that would address these gaps,” said Vinca. “My goal was to establish a nonprofit organization that would offer resources for continuing education, foster networking among dermatology advanced practice professionals and provide a forum for sharing best practices and research. I wanted to create a supportive community where providers could collaborate, stay updated on the latest advancements in dermatology and enhance their skills.” 

Since its inception, the organization has achieved several significant accomplishments that have greatly advanced its mission to support dermatology advanced practice providers in the Northeast. Of these accomplishments, the Connecticut Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Organization has established annual conferences, creating a strong network of dermatology advanced practice professionals across the northeast region and providing continuous educational opportunities for providers to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements. 

“We have facilitated numerous networking events, including conferences and informal meetups, which have fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing among providers,” she said. “This network has proven invaluable for members seeking advice, referrals, or partnerships on complex cases. Our organization has played a critical role in advocating for the needs for dermatology advanced practice providers within the region.” 

Building on its significant influence in the Northeast, the organization is now making strides toward transforming the entire field of dermatology by providing a platform for sharing findings and publishing relevant studies.

“Our organization has been involved in producing and disseminating research that addresses key issues in dermatology, contributing to the broader body of knowledge in the field,” said Vinca.  “We continue to build this committee as we grow and encourage advanced practice providers to publish dermatology cases, research and literature reviews. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to enhancing the professional development of advanced practice providers and improving patient care.”

As the organization continues to expand, Vinca remains dedicated to strengthening the development and expansion of community outreach, education and professional development committees.

“Our future goals for the dermatology nonprofit are both ambitious and deeply rooted in our mission to enhance skin health and well-being,” she said. “Over the next five to ten years, we aspire to become a leading force in dermatological care and education. We plan to significantly expand our outreach programs, developing new educational resources to raise awareness about skin health and preventive care. Additionally, we are committed to advancing dermatological research by increasing our support for innovative studies and collaborating with researchers to drive breakthroughs in treatment.”