MEMBERS & PROFESSIONALS
The Skin of Color Society is powered by globally recognized dermatology leaders. Pictured here are SOCS Presidents through the years, from left: Drs. Nada Elbuluk (Current President), with Past Presidents Valerie M. Harvey, Seemal R. Desai, Susan C. Taylor (Founder), Valerie D. Callender, Amy J. McMichael, and Andrew F. Alexis. Not shown: Drs. Victoria Barbosa (Immediate Past President), Donald A. Glass II, Rebat Holder, Lynn McKinley-Grant, Amit Pandya, and Marta Rendon (deceased).
(Chicago, IL, December 30, 2025)—As the world’s leading professional skin of color dermatology organization dedicated to advancing excellence and equity in patient care, the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) reports a highly impactful year of seminal achievements and contributions. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Susan C. Taylor, SOCS has grown dramatically over the past two decades to now include more than 1,330 members in 22 countries and offer many enriching and innovative programs to benefit physicians, patients, and the public.
Through a dynamic array of signature programs and newer initiatives supporting research, education, mentorship, leadership development, and advocacy, meaningful outcomes and new milestones were reached in 2025.
Nearly 525 attendees from around the world participated in the dynamic program, "Innovating for Equity," featuring enlightening presentations, panels, and keynote session
CHICAGO, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Skin of Color Society (SOCS), the leading international professional society dedicated to advancing skin of color dermatology, successfully presented its 21st Annual Scientific Symposium, "Innovating for Equity," on March 6, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. Bringing together nearly 525 attendees from around the world, this signature SOCS program was held in conjunction with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting.
This year's symposium was co-chaired by Drs. Crystal Aguh and Cesar Antonio Virgen and developed through the SOCS Scientific Meetings Committee. The well-rounded scientific program showcased insights from emerging researchers and dermatology leaders, featuring enriching presentations by invited speakers and oral abstract presenters, panel discussions, a keynote session, and a wide array of scientific iPoster abstracts.
Presided over by Dr. Victoria Barbosa, (now Immediate Past President), and moderated by Drs. Aguh and Virgen, the 21st Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium program featured the following presentations:
SOCS Leaders gathered at the recent Symposium, from left: Drs. Pamela Allen; Lynn McKinley-Grant, Past President; Candrice Heath, President-Elect; Nada Elbuluk, current President; Victoria Barbosa, Immediate Past President; Janiene Luke, Adrian Rodriguez, and Prince Adotama.
3-year scholarship program aims to support medical students pursuing dermatology who are committed to health equity
NEW YORK, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinique and the Skin of Color Society Foundation (SOCSF) announced a scholarship program to broaden access to the specialty of dermatology at the recent 21st Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium. The Dermatologists of Tomorrow Scholarship presented by Clinique and SOCSF provides financial support and mentorship to medical students who are committed to achieving health equity in their pursuit of a career in dermatology.
CHICAGO, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dermatology Foundation (DF) and the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) announce that Crystal U. Aguh, MD, FAAD, is the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Dermatology Foundation-Skin of Color Society Collaborative Mid-Career Award sponsored by Sanofi and Regeneron.
This substantial award will support Dr. Aguh's groundbreaking research into Probing Transcriptomic Impact of Metabolic Interventions in CCCA.
Dr. Crystal Aguh is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr Aguh's area of research focuses primarily on skin conditions that disproportionately impact minority populations, with particular emphasis on cicatricial alopecia. She has authored four books on hair loss, has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, and has given multiple national and international talks on these topics. As a result of her work, Dr. Aguh is the recipient of numerous prestigious research awards and grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Skin of Color Society, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and the Dermatology Foundation.
Pictured from left: SOCS Immediate Past President Dr. Victoria Barbosa, Awardee Dr. Crystal Aguh, Dermatology Foundation (DF) President Dr. Janet A. Fairley, and DF Executive Director John Bournas.
SOCS Presidents through the years, assembled from left: Drs. Andrew F. Alexis, Rebat Halder, Valerie M. Harvey, Valerie D. Callender, Susan C. Taylor (Founder), Amy McMichael, Lynn J. McKinley-Grant, Seemal R. Desai, and Victoria Barbosa. Not pictured: Drs. Donald A. Glass II, and Marta I. Rendon, (deceased).
(Chicago, IL, December 30, 2024)—The Skin of Color Society (SOCS), the world’s leading skin of color dermatology organization, reports that its 20th anniversary year delivered record-level achievements and a slate of new initiatives advancing knowledge and excellence in the specialty through research, education, mentorship, and advocacy. This robust year of accomplishment and innovation was marked by the following highlights:
Establishment of the SOCS Center for Leadership (CFL)
Inspired and led by SOCS President Dr. Victoria Barbosa, the Society introduced the SOCS Center for Leadership (CFL), a comprehensive educational program designed to develop leaders who will drive the dermatology field forward with innovation, inclusivity, and excellence.