Why Join SOCS - Skin of Color Society

Did you know? Dermatology practice managers and medical directors greatly value involvement in professional societies in evaluating job candidates!

It is well-documented that early involvement in professional societies encourages competence, confidence, and access to professional growth and lifelong learning opportunities. Beyond these clear benefits, involvement in a professional society like the Skin of Color Society is an important factor that hiring practice managers and medical directors look for and greatly value in job candidates. In fact, it can be one of the top things dermatology decision-makers use to help identify outstanding candidates who are taking their career development seriously.

JOIN SOCS

In the words of SOCS Leader Valerie M. Harvey MD, MPH, FAAD:

"In the special interest area of skin of color dermatology in particular, joining the Skin of Color Society not only gives medical students and dermatology residents a wide array of unique opportunities in mentorship, networking, research, media, and advocacy, it says a lot about the individual and their commitment to professional and personal development!"

Who Can Join?

Physicians and Board-Certified Dermatologists (or the international equivalent)
Non-physicians with one or more advanced degrees (PhD, MS, MPH, PA, RPN, etc.)
Residents, Research Fellows, or PhD candidates in good standing
Medical Students in good standing

Membership Types

Fellow Applicant
Any physician who resides in the United States or Canada and are board certified or eligible to be board certified by the American Board of Dermatology or its Canadian equivalent. Application requires proof of medical license and a full CV. Fellow members may identify themselves as a “Fellow of the Skin of Color Society.” Fellow members have full privileges to vote, be a candidate for elective office and serve on committees or task forces.

International Fellow Applicant
Dermatologists residing outside of the United States or Canada who have demonstrated knowledge and skill in the treatment of skin of color. International Fellows must have completed medical education at an institution certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Application requires a full CV, proof of medical license and either one letter of recommendation from a Fellow SOCS member or one letter from the leadership of the applicant’s home dermatology society. The applicant’s home society letter must attest to membership in good standing in the society and summarize the applicant’s qualifications for SOCS membership. Medical license verification required. International Fellows have full privileges to vote, be a candidate for elective office and serve on committees.

Associate Applicant
Physicians who reside in the United States or Canada who have demonstrated active interest in skin of color dermatology but are not board certified nor eligible to be board certified by the American Board of Dermatology or its Canadian equivalent; this category also includes scientists at the doctoral level conducting research on skin of color. Application requires proof of medical license (for physicians), full CV, two letters of recommendation from current SOCS members (one of which must be a SOCS Fellow Member). Evaluation criteria may include certification in applicant’s own specialty, clinical contributions to skin of color dermatology, contributions to skin of color education and research and participation in the national societies in the applicant’s chosen specialty. Associate members have privileges to vote and serve on committees but not to be elected to office.

Affiliate Applicant
Non-Physicians and people with no advanced degree who have demonstrated an active interest in skin of color dermatology including but not limited to PhDs., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, hospital or clinic administrators. Application requires full CV, letters from two physician sponsors (both of which must be from SOCS Fellow members). Affiliate members do not have privileges to vote nor be elected to office and may serve on selected committees.

Resident Applicant
Physicians who are currently accepted to or enrolled in accredited dermatology residency training programs in the United States or Canada and completed medical education training at an institution certified by the ACGME or approved by the ECFMG. Application requirements include Letter of Good Standing on official letterhead from training program. Term of membership limited to three years or the length of the trainee's residency program. Residents do not have privileges to vote nor be elected to office and may serve on selected committees.

Research Trainee Applicant
Individuals who are actively engaged in clinical research focused on skin of color and in good-standing at a SOCS Institutional Research Fellowship or an accredited institution in the United States or Canada. Application requires full CV, names of two physician sponsors (one of which must be a SOCS Fellow member). Research Trainees have privileges to vote and serve on committees but not to be elected to office.

Medical Student Applicant
Individuals enrolled in any medical school which is certified by the ACGME. Application requires Letter of Good Standing on official letterhead from training program and a 500-word statement describing how you will contribute to SOCS. Students do not have privileges to vote nor be elected to office and they may serve on selected committees.

You do not have to be an individual with skin of color to be a member of the Skin of Color Society. We welcome all races and ethnicities of qualified professionals who have a special interest and training in skin of color dermatology.

In addition to this important advantage, there are numerous other valuable, unique benefits to belonging to the Skin of Color Society for dermatologists at all career stages, including:

“I am absolutely thrilled with the trajectory of SOCS since we began in 2004. When we look at how the membership has grown, it’s so rewarding to see the expansion in the numbers of members involved, as well as our diversity and the wide range of valuable programs and activities we now offer.”
Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, SOCS Founder

"I wouldn’t be the kind of dermatologist I am without the Skin of Color Society. I think it has really shaped who I am as a physician, as a person. I’ve learned a lot more about diversity, about my patients. I ask more questions. Hopefully I am better at what I do because of it.”
Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD, SOCS Member & Early Career Innovations Grant Founder

“I’m constantly learning new things from my colleagues and co-members who are in this organization. Every day, I’m able to use something that I’m learning from one of my colleagues and incorporate that into my everyday practice.”

Crystal Aguh, MD, MPH, FAAD, SOCS Board Member

WHY JOIN SOCS

Benefits of SOCS Membership

Connection, collegiality, and camaraderie with an international community of colleagues and mentors who share a passion for skin of color dermatology, and a commitment to achieving health equities in patient care.
Free access to the Dermatology E-Learning + Equity Platform (DEEP), our groundbreaking learning management system (LMS) that enables members to learn straight from leading skin of color dermatology experts at your own pace, access physician-only education and earn CME credit through dermatology educational webinars, as well as practice management content.
Eligibility to apply for SOCS Mentorship and Observership Awards.
Eligibility to apply for SOCS Research, Career Development, Institutional Research Fellowship Award, and Early Career Innovations Award.
Reduced registration fees for the Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium, which brings together top researchers from around the USA and the world, who present new research in skin of color dermatology, share key insights, and discuss the continuing evolution of the field.
Access to abstracts and summaries of Annual Scientific Symposia.
Priority access to virtual and in-person Networking & Educational Symposia and other outstanding enrichment programs, as well as the eligibility to host these educational programs.
Exciting opportunities to develop professionally, gain leadership skills and share your expertise with the media and the public, including: Board, Committee, and Task Force Volunteer Opportunities.
Opportunity to judge Scientific Symposia presentations.
Media and public speaking opportunities through the SOCS Speaks program.
Eligibility to be featured in SOCS Social Media and digital spotlights.
Inclusion in the SOCS Find a Doctor Database.
Inclusion in the SOCS Membership Directory.
Reduced registration to educational events hosted by collaborative partners.
Access to Members-Only section.

JOIN SOCS