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:
- Keynote Speaker
- Agenda Overview
- Faculty
- Location & Room Block
- Registration
- Sponsorship
- Resident Travel Grant
- Our Committee
- Publications
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Robert A. Winn, MD
Director and Lipman Chair in Oncology, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Senior Associate Dean for Cancer Innovation and Professor of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, VCU School of Medicine
President, American Association of Cancer Institutes
As director of Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Robert A. Winn, M.D., leads the nation in optimizing cancer health care outcomes for all and spearheading interdisciplinary approaches to cancer disparities research. Just the fourth director of Massey since its 1975 National Cancer Institute designation, Winn oversees a center of nearly 150 scientists and clinical investigators.
Dr. Winn is nationally recognized for his community engagement efforts in promoting new approaches to building trust and increasing awareness for cancer research, screening, prevention, treatment, and survivorship, including the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program, a $114 million training and education program in partnership with the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation dedicated to increasing participation and representation in clinical trials, and the nationally heralded Facts & Faith Fridays conversation series.
Agenda – December 5-6, 2025
Friday, December 5, 2025
3:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
| Welcome Valerie Callender, MD, FAAD and Valerie Harvey, MD, MPH, FAAD |
| Meeting the Challenge: Celebrating Milestones, Achievements & Mentorship Valerie Callender, MD, FAAD, Valerie Harvey, MD, MPH, FAAD, Tarannum Jaleel, MD, FAAD, Hope Mitchell, MD, FAAD, & Amit Garg, MD, FAAD |
| Expanding Outcome Measures: Where we are, where we need to go Amit Garg, MD, FAAD |
| Thoughts from a Regulatory Dermatologist Markham C. Luke, MD, PhD, FAAD |
| Beyond Race and Ethnicity Robert A. Winn, MD with Candrice R. Heath, MD, FAAD & Angel S. Byrd, MD, PhD |
| Advancing Patient Advocacy and Community Engagement Physician Panel: Angel S. Byrd, MD, PhD, Mya L. Roberson, MSPH, PhD & Junko Takeshita, MD, PhD, MSCE, FAAD Patient Advocate Panel: Jarrett Brown & Donna Atherton Moderators: Prince Adotama, MD & Elizabeth Kiracofe, MD |
| Welcome Reception (6:30 PM - 8:00 PM) |
Saturday, December 6, 2025
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
| Breakfast (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM) |
| Welcome Remarks Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD |
| Keynote Speaker Robert A. Winn, MD |
| Examining strategies and solutions to overcome underrepresentation in clinical trials Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, Cheri Frey, MD, FAAD, Tiffany Mayo, MD, FAAD, Amy McMichael, MD, FAAD, & Mya L. Roberson, MSPH, PhD Moderator: Tarannum Jaleel, MD, MHSc, FAAD |
| Delving Deeper into Outcome Measure Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD, Tarannum Jaleel, MD, MHSc, FAAD, Kanade Shinkai, MD, PhD, FAAD, & Victoria P. Werth, MD, FAAD Moderator: Amy J. McMichael, MD, FAAD |
| Networking Lunch |
| Insights from Industry Members: Challenges, Outcomes, and Future Directions Industry representatives from Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Inc., Sanofi / Regeneron, Novartis, AbbVie, Aerolase, Biogen, Galderma, Takeda Moderator: Jonathan S. Weiss, MD, FAAD |
| A Closer Look at Underrepresented Dermatologic Diseases Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD, Jared Jagedo, MD, FAAD, Hema Sundaram, MD, FAAD, & Victoria P. Werth, MD, FAAD Moderator: Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD |
| Understanding the Role of AI in the Future of Clinical Trials Jenna C. Lester, MD, FAAD & Jane Yoo, MD, FAAD |
| Closing Remarks Valerie Callender, MD, FAAD and Valerie Harvey, MD, MPH, FAAD |
Prince Adotama, MD, FAAD
Assistant Professor of Dermatology
Director of Health Equity and Inclusion, Dept of Dermatology
Assistant Program Director, Dept of Dermatology
Co-Founder Skin of Color Section
Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology
New York University Grossman School Of Medicine
Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD
Associate Professor
Director, Ethnic Skin Program
Director, Ethnic Skin Fellowship
Department of Dermatology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD
Vice-Chair for Diversity and Inclusion, Dept of Dermatology
Professor of Clinical Dermatology
Weill Cornell Medical Center
President, Skin of Color Society (2023–2024)
Donna Atherton, EdD, CLC, MSW
Founder, CMO International Association of Hidrandenitis Suppurativa Network, Inc.
Jarrett Brown
Jarrett Speaks
Advisory Board Member, Beautifully Unblemished Vitiligo Support Group
Member, Advocacy Committee, Global Vitiligo Foundation
Angel S. Byrd, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Dermatology
Howard University College of Medicine
Valerie D. Callender, MD, FAAD
Professor of Dermatology, Howard University College of Medicine
Founder & Senior Medical Director, Callender Center for Clinical Research, LLC
SOCS Past President & Co-Chair of Meeting the Challenge in Research Committee
Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD
President, American Academy of Dermatology
Founder & Medical Director, Innovative Dermatology
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD
Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology
Founding Director, Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program
Founding Director, Dermatology Culture and Engagement Program
University of Southern California, Department of Dermatology
President, Skin of Color Society
Cheri Frey, MD, FAAD
Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology
Howard University
Chair, National Medical Association, Dermatology Section
Amit Garg, MD, FAAD
Professor, Institute of Health System Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research
Professor and Founding Chair, Dermatology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Senior Vice President, Dermatology Service Line, Northwell Health
Valerie M. Harvey, MD, MPH, FAAD
Co-Director, Skin of Color Research Institute, Hampton University
SOCS Past President &
Co-Chair of Meeting the Challenge in Research Committee
Candrice R. Heath, MD, FAAD
Associate Professor
Howard University College of Medicine, Department of Dermatology
Jared Jagdeo, MD, MS
Associate Professor
Director of the Skin of Color Center
Director of the Laser, Aesthetics and Body Institute
Director of the Center for Photomedicine
Tarannum Jaleel, MD, MHSc, FAAD
Assistant Professor, Duke Department of Dermatology
Director, Duke Dermatology Sponsored Clinical Trials Education
Elizabeth Kiracofe, MD, FAAD
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Airia Comprehensive Dermatology, Founder
Jenna Lester, MD, FAAD
Associate Professor
Director, Skin of Color Program
Department of Dermatology
Watson Faculty Scholar
University of California San Francisco
Markham C. Luke, MD, PhD, FAAD
Office of Generic Drugs
Food and Drug Administration, HHS
Tiffany Mayo, MD, FAAD
Associate Professor, Dermatology
Director of Clinical Research Unit
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Amy J. McMichael, MD, FAAD
Professor of Dermatology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Hope Mitchell, MD, FAAD
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Founder & CEO Mitchell Dermatology
Mya L. Roberson, MSPH, PhD
Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management
UNC Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health
Member, Cancer Prevention and Control Program
Kanade Shinkai, MD, PhD, FAAD
Professor of Clinical Dermatology
University of California San Francisco Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine
Editor-in-Chief, JAMA Dermatology
Hema Sundaram, MD, FAAD
Founder, Sundaram Dermatology,
Cosmetic & Laser Surgery
Junko Takeshita, MD, PhD, MSCE, FAAD
Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD
Bernett Johnson Endowed Professor of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
President, American Academy of Dermatology
Founder, Skin of Color Society
Jonathan S. Weiss, MD, FAAD
Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor
Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology
President and Co-managing Partner
Georgia Dermatology Partners
Clinical Pharmacology Researcher
Gwinnett Clinical Research Center
Victoria P. Werth, MD, FAAD
Chief, Dermatology, Philadelphia V.A. Hospital
Professor of Dermatology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Professor of Dermatology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Veteran's Administration Medical Center
Division Of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System.
Jane Yoo, MD, MPP, FAAD
Founder, Clinical Research Center of New York
Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Hotel Information – Book by November 6, 2025!
Meeting Room: District Ballroom
Welcome Reception: Mezzanine
Hotel Address:
The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection
1127 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036, USA
Room Rate:
We’ve secured a limited block of sleeping rooms at The Mayflower Hotel, at an exclusive group rate starting at $225 USD per night (plus tax, single/double occupancy). Availability is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to book early to take advantage of this special rate. This rate includes complimentary breakfast for all attendees on Saturday, December 6 at 7:00 AM ET (District Ballroom).
Book Your Room: Book Your Hotel Room
Reservations Toll-Free: 877-212-5752
Booking window: April 28 - November 6, 2025
Hotel Cancellation Policy: Cancel free of penalty 72 hours prior to arrival. Cancellations made within 72 hours of arrival will have a cancellation fee, which includes the first night’s room and tax, as well as any other applicable fees
Registration for this event is open!
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
SOCS Meeting the Challenge in Research Resident Travel Grant
We are thrilled to announce the ten recipients of the 2025 SOCS Meeting the Challenge in Research Resident Travel Grants. This initiative supports dermatology residents by awarding $1,000 USD for travel, lodging, and meals associated with the upcoming Summit on December 5-6, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
2025 Meeting the Challenge in Research Resident Travel Grant Recipients
Antara Afrin, MD - Yale University
Jamaljé Rohnquist Bassue, MD - Tulane University School of Medicine
Shakira Brathwaite, MD, MSc - University of Toronto
Stafford G. Brown III, MD, MBA, MS - Washington University in St. Louis
Tammy González, MD, PhD - University of Miami
Shaveonte Graham, MD - Wayne State University
Victoria S. Humphrey, MD - Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Training Program
Alexander Jafari, MD, MPH - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Justin Jia, MD, MS - Harvard Medical School
Rishab Revankar, MD - University of Virginia
Here’s what some of this year’s travel grant recipients shared with us about what this support and their participation in the Summit mean to them:
“As a first-generation physician and a first-generation American, financial limitations have often made it difficult to fully engage with the dermatology community and attend key networking events. Receiving this travel grant from the Skin of Color Society is not only a generous gesture, it is a powerful vote of confidence that reminds me I belong in these spaces regardless of my background.”
—Dr. Jamaljé Bassue
“Thanks to the Resident Travel Grant, I can attend the Meeting the Challenge Summit and engage directly in shaping how dermatology clinical trials include patient voices and broader outcome measures. I look forward to this unique opportunity to turn commitment into progress, while learning from colleagues across the field!"
—Dr. Tammy González
"As an ASDS Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellow, I lead our practice's clinical trials department. I am deeply honored to attend the 2025 SOCS Meeting the Challenge Summit, as this summit presents a valuable opportunity to enhance my knowledge of best practices in broadening clinical trial representation—an essential step toward driving more equitable and inclusive research within our community."
—Dr. Victoria S. Humphrey
"For many of us, research is an extension of advocacy. I am so excited to participate in the 2025 SOCS Meeting the Challenge Summit. The resident travel grant will allow me to engage with and learn from like-minded and dedicated faculty and peers working on improving research inclusivity and health outcomes of underserved communities within dermatology. I am especially eager to discuss and learn how we can improve inclusivity within patient-reported outcome measures, as these measures are often used in both research studies and clinical practice."
—Dr. Justin Jia
As our third Meeting the Challenge Summit since the initiative’s inception in 2022, and with 26 overall Resident Travel Grants awarded, this year’s program focuses on Advancing Dermatology in Clinical Trials: Expanding Outcome Measures. This meeting 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.
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
