MEMBERS & PROFESSIONALS
Mentee: Oluwadamilola Oke
Mentor: Dr. Andrew Alexis
Weill Cornell Medical Center
In August 2024, I had the privilege of completing a Skin of Color Society (SOCS) Observership under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Alexis at Weill Cornell Medical Center. This experience provided an invaluable opportunity to deepen my knowledge of dermatologic conditions in patients with a range of skin tones and hair types while sharpening my clinical and procedural skills.
The clinics were split between medical visits and procedures, allowing me to have a well-rounded and diverse exposure to dermatologic disorders. I greatly admired Dr. Alexis' extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for seamlessly incorporating newly approved treatment options into patient care. During this observership, I was introduced to innovative therapies, such as Zoryve, which had been approved for atopic dermatitis just weeks before my arrival. Dr. Alexis ensured that patients had access to treatment samples, empowering me to not only recommend therapies but also provide patients with a tangible “goodie bag” to initiate care immediately.
Procedural clinics further enriched my experience, as I became familiar with a variety of techniques, including intralesional kenalog and platelet-rich plasma injections for alopecia, chemical peels, laser hair removal, and laser therapy for keloids and scars. My exposure expanded even further through participation in Weill Cornell’s fast-paced weekly dermatology urgent clinic. There, I encountered even more diverse presentations of pathology and was motivated to be more efficient in establishing a diagnosis and plan.
Between patient visits, we engaged in teaching sessions that explored topics such as the physics of laser therapy and the role of Melasyl in the melanin pathway, enhancing my understanding of dermatologic interventions at a deeper level. After clinics, I was invited to attend Dr. Alexis’ guest lectures and presentations, which reinforced and expanded upon the cases I encountered in clinic.
Lastly, you cannot work with Dr. Alexis without appreciating how thorough and personable he is with patients. During my time with him, I picked up on many of his professional mannerisms which I carried throughout my future rotations.
I am immensely grateful to the SOCS for sponsoring this enriching experience and to Dr. Alexis for his outstanding mentorship. The knowledge and skills I gained during this observership will undoubtedly shape my future career, and I look forward to applying these lessons in my continued journey in dermatology.
Mentee Osaigbokan Aihie and Dr. Peterson Pierre
Dr. Peterson Pierre has been my mentor informally since 2021 but was assigned to be my mentor for the 2023-2024 Skin of Color Society (SOCS) Mentorship Program. Since we had already developed a relationship, we continued to build from what we had started. Dr. Pierre remained kind and generous with his time and knowledge.
The 2023-2024 academic session was very critical for me as I was applying into dermatology residency during this cycle. Dr. Pierre was instrumental in providing advice through the application process. He was especially helpful in reviewing my list of programs to apply to, providing interview strategies and advising me on next steps to take after the interviews. Throughout the process, he was a voice of calm and reason. I ended up matching into dermatology at my home program, the University of Missouri-Columbia! I am extremely excited to be staying at Mizzou and learning from our amazing faculty!
Through Dr. Pierre’s help, I’ll be able to pursue a career in dermatology. During the last two years, I have also learned more about the Skin of Color Society. I have attended the last two symposiums in New Orleans and in San Diego. I have been humbled and amazed by the tremendous work the organization is pursuing through its mission “in promoting awareness of and excellence in skin of color dermatology.” As a person of color given this rare opportunity to train in this unique specialty, I cannot wait to contribute my own quota to the mission of SOCS through various avenues, especially in researching and managing skin of color conditions and in mentoring the next generation of dermatologists.
Mentor Dr. Cesar Virgen with mentee Madisen Swallow
Thank you very much for the opportunity to be a part of the Skin of Color Society Mentorship program. I had the great opportunity to work with Dr. Virgen, a mentor that was assigned through the program. Throughout the year we had many opportunities to meet over Zoom and in person at the AAD Conference and the World Congress of Cutaneous Lymphomas Conference. He has spent a substantial amount of time guiding me and giving me career advice.
During our first meeting we identified goals and plans for the year to help me set up a plan to learn and improve throughout the year. During our meetings over the year, we have assessed my progress working towards accomplishing these goals and identified new areas to grow. Additionally, we have worked together on a research manuscript, which has just been selected for publication. Throughout this time, Dr. Virgen has also gone above and beyond to get to know me as a person, and to really understand my passion behind my hopes for a future in academic medicine. I was previously a middle school science teacher before starting medical school, which has shaped my passions and goals of becoming a medical educator in the future.
Dr. Virgen has helped me to better understand how I can incorporate these goals, skills, and ideas into a future career. Overall, I am extremely thankful for the personal, professional, and research mentorship I have received through my amazing mentor in this program. It’s my only hope that I can be as great a mentor in the future to any future mentees I may have, as Dr. Virgen has been to me.
Mentee: Jamee Charles, MD
Mentor: Donald Glass, MD, PhD
University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
My name is Dr. Jamee Charles; originally from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. I was honored to be a mentee in the 2024-2025 Skin of Color Society (SOCS) Mentorship Program, under the guidance of Dr. Donald Glass. As a third-year dermatology resident at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica, this opportunity was truly enriching. Through Dr. Glass’support, I was able to complete a one-month Observership in Dallas, Texas. This experience was incredibly rewarding since I had the opportunity to learn from and connect with several outstanding dermatologists and thus, broadened both my clinical exposure and professional network. I am grateful to Dr. Glass and the SOCS for this invaluable experience and I would wholeheartedly recommend this program to other trainees passionate about advancing care in skin of color dermatology.
Mentee Efia Nuako, BS with mentor Leandra Barnes, MD
Stanford University
I completed my SOCS Observership with Dr. Leandra Barnes at Stanford University and alongside another student, Brianna Watson. I had a great experience during my 4 weeks at Stanford! During our time, Brianna and I were exposed to several subspecialties in dermatology. We had the opportunity to work with general dermatologists, dermato oncologists, and a gynecologic dermatologist. Additionally, Dr. Barnes is a Hidradenitis Suppurativa specialist and has a focused HS clinic, as well as a Skin of Color clinic. We were able to observe HS deroofing surgeries, which is a procedure I had never seen before. Working with her in these clinics allowed me to learn more about skin conditions which are more common in patients with Skin of Color, as well as how conditions present on different skin tones.
Brianna and I also attended events which immersed us in the community, such as the Karasek Annual Lecture in Dermatology and the Stanford Community Health Fair. Dr. Barnes even gave us the opportunity to present at Grand Rounds! Preparing a case and presenting it at Grand Rounds was a valuable learning experience, as Dr. Barnes gave us feedback and tips on how to best engage the audience. To supplement our experience, Brianna and I also had protected time to work on research projects. This focused time on research was beneficial because it allowed us to refine research skills and work directly with our mentor in person. Overall, this observership was a great opportunity to learn more about all aspects of dermatology, including community outreach and research!