Dr. Rebecca Vasquez with mentee Ana Maria Viteri
The Skin of Color Mentorship Program has been one of the best experiences I have been fortunate to be a part of. Through this program, I got to be mentored by a true powerhouse, leader, and change-maker in the field of dermatology: Dr. Rebecca Vasquez, MD FAAD. Her dynamic leadership, warm demeanor, and uplifting energy allowed me to envision myself in this field despite its challenges. Dr. Vasquez allowed me to see the unique characteristics I bring to the table while also eagerly celebrating my professional and personal wins. As a Latina, immigrant, and first generation student, it is very rare for me to find mentors that are able to culturally and linguistically understand my background. For this and many reasons, words do not fully capture the unending gratitude I have for SOCS for the chance to work with someone from a similar cultural background and professional aspirations. It motivates me and allows me to see that I, too, belong in the field of dermatology.
Dr. Vasquez’s insight and advice has helped me be intentional about my pursuits in dermatology, so my application is representative of me as a person. I have felt deeply supported and encouraged by her. An exciting opportunity that has arisen from this experience is the chance for Dr. Vasquez to meet my dermatology mentor from the Medical College of Wisconsin. We all met in person at the 2023 AAD meeting and it was exceptional. We hope to work together on a project soon. Overall, the SOCS mentorship program has been invaluable to my professional growth and has connected me with transformative leaders in dermatology. My greatest dream is to follow in their foot-steps to make a strong impact in the field of dermatology, in our local communities, and greater society.