Mentee: Nicole Trepanowski, BS
Mentor: Rebecca Hartman, MD, MPH
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Because of the generosity of the Skin of Color Society Observership Grant, I was able to develop a mentorship with Dr. Rebecca Hartman in the Department of Dermatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. My career goals include becoming an academic dermatologist, working with underserved populations, and conducting research to investigate how minoritized individuals can be better served in the field of dermatology.
This Observership propelled me towards my career goals because Dr. Hartman and I worked on a research project investigating differences among Hispanic nationalities in skin cancer prevention practices using a large national dataset, which is currently under submission at a dermatology journal. Additionally, I was able to gain dermatology clinical experience by shadowing Dr. Hartman in clinic at the Jamaica Plain Veterans Hospital, which serves an underserved population with a high burden of skin cancer, and in a melanoma clinic at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. During our time together, Dr. Hartman and I also hosted an educational event at a local women’s shelter teaching women about skincare and basic skin conditions. These experiences would not have been possible without the support of the Skin of Color Society Observership Grant.
Both Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino individuals are underrepresented as physicians proportional to their population representation in the U.S. (Voorhees, et. al). In dermatology, only 4.2% of practicing dermatologists identify as Hispanic/Latino despite making up 17.8% of the population, and 3% of practicing dermatologists identify as African-American despite making up 13.3% of the population (Voorhees, et. al). As the daughter of a Hispanic immigrant and the first future physician in my family,
I am grateful to have been supported by the Skin of Color Society as I pursue a career in academic dermatology with a focus on melanoma and healthcare disparities. Participating in the Skin of Color Society Observership Program set me on the path towards achieving my goal of improving the field of dermatology for underrepresented individuals. This experience enabled me to develop a life-long mentor and gain valuable clinical and research experience which I will carry forward in my career.
Mentee: Michaela Crawford, BS
Mentor: Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD
Weill Cornell Medicine
Thank you to the Skin of Color Society for selecting me to work with Dr. Alexis! It was an honor to spend a month at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City learning about dermatology. I met Dr. Alexis at the 19th Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium in New Orleans, LA in 2023. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to meet and learn from him.
My month at Weill Cornell Medicine was a transformative experience that will shape my future career. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing patients with hair disorders. I learned all about the different kinds of alopecia and the various treatments available. I was particularly impressed by Dr. Alexis’s kind and gentle nature with his patients. He has an exceptional ability to soothe their deepest concerns by acknowledging their worries and involving them in shared decision making. He is truly a skin of color expert, with an extensive knowledge and impressive accuracy in diagnoses.
Beyond clinical skills, I gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of research. Dr. Alexis is at the forefront of dermatological research, constantly seeking new and better treatments for dermatologic disease. I witnessed the innerworkings of clinical trials and the impact on patients. His dedication to research inspired me to learn more about the latest developments in dermatology. Perhaps the most important lesson Dr. Alexis taught me was the significance of staying up to date with the literature. He treats his patients with revolutionary drugs after clinical trials demonstrate their efficacy. He taught me what to look for when searching the literature and even gave me my first hardcopy of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD). I was able to learn about new drugs that have recently entered the market and see their use in a clinical setting. Lastly, we were able to identify some interesting case reports for me to write up and submit for publication.
I am deeply grateful for the knowledge and skills I acquired under Dr. Alexis’ mentorship. I learned far more than I expected. Thank you once again to the Skin of Color Society and Dr. Alexis for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to continuing my journey in dermatology with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in treating diverse patient populations.
Mentee Chrislene Olukoga with mentor Dr. Peterson Pierre (Not Pictured)
As a student without a dermatology home program, I am so thankful to the Skin of Color Society’s Mentorship program and to Dr. Pierre. Dr Pierre is the first mentor in Dermatology I have had and has provided me with invaluable guidance and direction. He is a goal-oriented mentor and I always look forward to our check-in sessions. Any question or concern regarding my plans or endeavors, I have an objective, knowledgeable ear. We discuss strategy, residency, resilience, and the makings of a patient-centered dermatologist. I hope that one day I can meet him in person and thank him again for everything he has done for me.
Nicole Gunasekera with mentor Dr. Andrew Alexis
I was fortunate to complete my SOCS Mentorship with Dr. Andrew Alexis. We were able to cover many topics over the course of the year.
We began by thinking through my specific clinical interests within the field of skin of color. Through our discussions, Dr. Alexis helped me realize my particular interest in vitiligo and pigmentation disorders. This has been very helpful for me as I think about developing expertise in skin of color broadly but also seeking opportunities to build deeper expertise in these areas. We also discussed opportunities to get involved in scholarship, writing, and speaking, and I really appreciated his encouragement to get involved in these areas to help advance our field.
Dr. Alexis also gave me very practical and helpful advice regarding building my leadership skills and experience as well. He recommended getting involved with committees in my hospital system and in dermatology organizations. He noted these can be great opportunities to collaborate with others, make connections and develop different skills. He encouraged me to take on smaller roles in these arenas at the beginning, noting that doing a great job at one thing often leads to larger opportunities down the road.
I feel very fortunate to have connected with Dr. Alexis and to have learned from him this year. I am very grateful to him and to SOCS for supporting my learning and development through this mentorship program.
Nicole Gunasekera, MD, MBA
2021 SOCS Mentorship Program Summary
Dr. Seemal Desai with mentee Camille Rothenberg Lausell
Participating in the Skin of Color Society mentorship program has been an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience for me both personally and professionally. It has provided me with a unique opportunity to gain exposure to a diverse range of perspectives and experiences within the dermatology field, while also allowing me to forge meaningful connections with respected professionals in the field.
One such connection is with Dr. Seemal Desai, who has been my mentor throughout the program. As a leading expert in skin of color, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been paired with him. Since our first meeting, Dr. Desai has been an unwavering source of guidance, support, and encouragement, providing me with invaluable insights into a variety of topics relevant to my career aspirations. Throughout my research fellowship year, he has consistently made time in his busy schedule to meet with me and answer my questions. His willingness to share his knowledge and expertise has been a tremendous asset, helping me grow and develop professionally.
I am truly grateful for Dr. Desai’s constant support and mentorship, and I look forward to continuing to learn from him. The mentorship program has been an instrumental part of my journey towards achieving my goals, and I am confident that the skills and knowledge I have gained through this program will have a lasting impact on my professional development.