2025 Meeting the Challenge Summit!
Join us for the 2025 Meeting the Challenge Summit which will take place on December 5-6, 2025 as we strive for improved representation in dermatology research studies/clinical trials.
The 2025 Meeting the Challenge Summit theme is Advancing Dermatology in Clinical Trials: Expanding Outcome Measures. This summit will provide stakeholders a valuable opportunity to share and enhance their knowledge, exchange information on broadening clinical trial representation, and engage in networking and collaboration.
The event will be held on December 5-6, 2025 at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The Summit will focus on patient-reported outcome measures and clinical trial design, emphasizing integrating patient experiences, particularly across various backgrounds, into dermatologic research. The program will explore best practices in trial design and outcome measurement, and discuss diseases that are inadequately represented in clinical trials. Key discussions will center on how to make clinical trials more representative and impactful, prioritizing patient voices throughout the research process to drive better outcomes in patient care.
Click a tab below for more info:
- Agenda Overview
- Location & Room Block
- Resident Travel Grant
- Registration
- Sponsorship
- Our Committee
- Publications
Agenda – December 5-6, 2025
Friday, December 5, 2025
3:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
|
Kickoff Speaker |
| Summit-to-Date: Key Developments |
| FDA Action Plan |
| Beyond Race and Ethnicity |
|
Advocacy and Community Engagement |
|
Networking Reception |
Saturday, December 6, 2025
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
| Breakfast |
| Keynote Speaker |
| Clinical Trial Underrepresentation |
|
Outcome Measures |
|
Networking Lunch |
| Industry Panel |
|
Underrepresented Diseases in Clinical Trials |
| Closing Remarks |
The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection
1127 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 347-3000
Book your accommodation through the SOCS Room block. Details to come!
SOCS Meeting the Challenge in Research Resident Travel Grant
The SOCS Meeting the Challenge in Research Resident Travel Grant supports dermatology residents in attending the Meeting the Challenge Summit. Each grant—up to $1,000 USD—can be used for travel, lodging, and meals.
This initiative expands opportunities for residents to engage in the Summit’s critical work, contribute their insights, and access valuable professional development during their training.
Up to 10 travel grants available.
Application Period: April 15 – May 15, 2025 (closes at 12:00 PM CT)
Notifications: Awardees will be contacted by the end of June.
Note: No extensions will be granted.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
Open to current Skin of Color Society Resident Members only.
GRANT REQUIREMENTS (FOR RECIPIENTS)
Membership: Must be an active SOCS Resident Member.
Lodging: Must book accommodation through the SOCS-designated room block.
Surveys: Completion of short pre- and post-event surveys.
Report: Submit a one-page summary of your experience and key takeaways post-Summit. Reports may be shared on the SOCS website, in the annual meeting recap, and on social media.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- Select ‘Resident Travel Grant – Meeting the Challenge in Research’ under the ‘Category’ dropdown.
- Complete all required fields (Entrant, Title, etc.).
- Click ‘Save + Next’ to continue with the application form.
Application is now closed
Registration for this event will open June 2025.
Contact Janice Ayarzagoitia at jayarzagoitia@skinofcolorsociety.org with any questions.
We sincerely thank our sponsors for their invaluable support of the 2025 SOCS Meeting the Challenge Summit. Your contributions play a vital role in the success of this event and our ongoing efforts to advance innovation, collaboration, and excellence in dermatology.
Champion:
Ally:
Partner:
Friend:
Interested in becoming a sponsor and joining our industry panel?
View our sponsorship prospectus linked below.
Contact: Kimberly Miller, Executive Director at kmiller@skinofcolorsociety.org
Meeting the Challenge in Research Committee
Valerie D. Callender, MD, FAAD
Valerie M. Harvey, MD, MPH, FAAD
Carole Bitar, MD, FAAD
Stafford G. Brown, III, MD, MBA, MS
Cheryl Marie Burgess, MD, FAAD
Angel Byrd, MD, PhD
Alexandra P. Charrow, MD, FAAD
Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD
Candrice R. Heath, MD, FAAD
Tarannum Jaleel, MD
Amy McMichael, MD, FAAD
Chidubem A. V. Okeke, MD
Kanade Shinkai, MD, PhD
Hema Sundaram, MD, FAAD
Junko Takeshita, MD, PhD, MSCE, FAAD
Jonathan S. Weiss, MD, FAAD
Jane Yoo, MD, FAAD
In collaboration with
SOCS Advocacy Committee
Prince Adotama, MD, FAAD - Co-chair
Elizabeth Kiracofe, MD, FAAD - Co-chair
The CHORD COUSIN Collaboration
Dermatology Journal Articles
Deriving from the work of the SOCS Meeting the Challenge in Research Committee, formerly the Diversity in Dermatology Clinical Trials Task Force (DiDCT):
The Skin of Color Society’s Meeting the Challenge Summit, 2022
Diversity in Dermatology Clinical Trials Proceedings, JAMA, May 24, 2023
Integrating skin color assessments into clinical practice and research:
A review of current approaches, JAAD, 2024
