SOCS Connects

A dynamic mix of San Francisco Bay Area-based dermatologists, trainees, and leaders gathered on April 21, 2026, for an energizing SOCS Connects event (formerly known as a Regional Networking & Educational Symposium). 

Medical students, residents, and fellows convened to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build relationships, in a true reflection of what SOCS stands for: community, mentorship, and impact through connection.

The evening featured a brief introduction to SOCS, highlighting our mission and growing initiatives, followed by lively conversations.  We saw strong enthusiasm for SOCS membership, with many attendees eager to stay connected and get involved, an exciting signal of the continued growth of our network on the West Coast.

A huge thank you to our outstanding hosts, Drs. Katrina Abuabara and Michael Waul, for their leadership and for bringing together such a vibrant and engaged community. We are also grateful to Pfizer for their continued partnership and support in making these meaningful community experiences possible.

Interested in hosting a SOCS event in your community? We would love to hear from you! Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.

Photography by SoFetch Marketing

Drs. Neelam Khan and Cheryl Burgess graciously hosted a successful SOCS Regional Networking and Education Symposium in Washington, DC, at Teddy and the Bully Bar on February 19, 2026. The evening brought together individuals committed to advancing skin of color dermatology for a reception-style gathering centered on connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.

The event created a welcoming space for meaningful conversation, peer networking, and relationship-building across all career stages. Attendees included residents, fellows, and practicing dermatologists from D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, along with representatives from Pfizer.

The gathering reinforced SOCS’s mission to foster community, mentorship, and professional growth through regionally-focused engagement. By creating opportunities for in-person connection, SOCS continues to support the development of strong professional relationships that benefit both clinicians and ultimately, the patients they serve.
We extend our sincere thanks to our hosts, attendees, and sponsor, Pfizer, for contributing to a vibrant and well-attended evening. We look forward to building on this momentum through upcoming events across the country.

Interested in hosting a SOCS event in your community? We would love to hear from you! Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.

SOCS successfully hosted a Regional Networking and Education Symposium in New York City on January 15, 2026, at the Red Rooster in Harlem, bringing together dermatologists, trainees, and student for an evening of connection and collaboration. Hosted by Drs. Babar Rao and Dina Strachan, the event provided a welcoming reception-style setting that encouraged meaningful conversations, peer networking, and relationship-building across career stages.

Attendees included residents, fellows, and practicing dermatologists from the greater New York, New Jersey and Connecticut regions, along with representatives from Pfizer, reflecting a strong shared commitment to advancing skin of color dermatology. The event reinforced SOCS’s mission to foster community, mentorship, and professional growth through regionally focused engagement.

We extend sincere thanks to our hosts, attendees, and sponsor, Pfizer, for contributing to a vibrant and well-attended evening, and we look forward to continuing this momentum through upcoming events across the country.

If you are interested in hosting an event in your community, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

We were thrilled to have such great turnouts at our two SOCS Regional Networking & Educational Symposia last week in Detroit, Michigan and Los Angeles, California! Thank you to all who joined us at both locations to engage with SOCS at these dynamic gatherings.

Special thanks to Dr. Diane Jackson-Richards (Detroit) and SOCS President Dr. Nada Elbuluk (Los Angeles) for graciously hosting these well-attended events, which brought together dermatology leaders, colleagues and friends— including many new faces and familiar ones in these respective communities. Both events provided rich opportunities for people to connect, exchange ideas, and learn more about the work of SOCS to advance the specialty of skin of color dermatology.

We extend our gratitude to Pfizer for their continued support of the Regional Networking & Educational Symposia series.

If you are interested in hosting an event in your community, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!