22nd Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium
Join us for the 22nd Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium on March 26, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. This meeting is in conjunction with the 2026 AAD Annual Meeting.
The 22nd Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium, themed Championing Evidence-Based Dermatology and Collaboration, will explore how dermatologists can lead with evidence and integrity and showcase how collaboration across specialties can effectively combat complex patient issues. With a focus on evidence-based care and leadership, our scientific program champions the essential role of the dermatologist as a scientific leader, trusted educator, and collaborative partner who stands at the forefront of advancing health equity and restoring public trust.
The SOCS Scientific Meetings Committee, led by Drs. Janiene D. Luke and Temitayo Ogunleye, looks forward to welcoming you to an extraordinary program.
Founder and CEO, BayouClinic
18th U.S. Surgeon General
Named by Time magazine as one of the "Nation's 50 Future Leaders Age 40 and Under," Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, is Founder and CEO of the BayouClinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama.
Following graduation from Xavier University, Morehouse School of Medicine, and the University of Alabama School of Medicine, Dr. Benjamin chose to return to the region in which she grew up, opening a family practice in Bayou la Batre, a small shrimping village along the Gulf Coast. In an area where need, not money, is prevalent, most of Dr. Benjamin's patients hold low-paying jobs that do not provide them with any health insurance.
Since 1990, Benjamin has been the sole family physician in this impoverished Gulf Coast town of 2,500 residents. She kept her clinic financially afloat by moonlighting in emergency rooms and nursing homes. When Hurricane Georges wrecked the building in 1998, she spent the next two years treating patients out of her Ford pickup. After earning her MBA from Tulane University, Dr. Benjamin converted her office to a rural health clinic dedicated to serving the community.
Read Full Bio
Schedule Overview
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Early Check-in / Badge Pick-up
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Thursday, March 26, 2026
Registration and Badge Pick-up Desks Open
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Medical Student Breakfast
Center for Leadership Committee
Sponsored by Clinique
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SOCS & SOCS Foundation Annual General Business Meeting
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Welcome Remarks and Industry Champion Sponsor Videos
Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD
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Introduction to the Program and Keynote Speaker
Janiene Luke, MD, FAAD
Temitayo Ogunleye, MD, FAAD
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Cultivating Leadership Excellence
Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD
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Investigating the Molecular Differences of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas in Black Women for Personalized Therapeutic Options
Courtney M. Johnson, MD, PhD, FAAD
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Perioperative Racial Disparities in Patients with Acral Lentiginous Melanoma Undergoing Mohs Micrographic Surgery
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Early Career Innovations Grant Presentations by Finalists + Voting
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Featured iPoster Session (Break 1)
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Innovation Grant Announcement
Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD and EltaMD
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Limitations for Gender Affirming Care in Challenging Times
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Holistic Patient Care & Advocacy
Michelle Oboite, MD, FAAD
Klint Peebles, MD, FAAD
Rebecca Vasquez, MD, FAAD
Moderator: Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD
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Distinct Metabolic Pathways of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Severity-Associated Biomarkers
Kingsley Osei-Karikari, BA
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Featured iPoster Session (Break 2)
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Risk of Psychiatric Comorbidities in Scarring vs Non-Scarring Alopecia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
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Leveraging AI to Build a More Sustainable Dermatology Practice
Vinod E. Nambudiri, MD, MBA, FAAD
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Physician Care & Wellness: Practical Strategies for Sustainable Practice
Naana A. Boakye, MD, FAAD
Vinod E. Nambudiri, MD, MBA, FAAD
Karolyn Wanat, MD, FAAD
Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD
Moderator: Noreen Galaria, MD, FAAD
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Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD
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Grant and Award Announcements
Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD
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Registration & Location
Registration for the 22nd Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium is open!
Date: March 26, 2026
Location: Centennial Ballroom D-H, Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center; 650 15th St, Denver, CO 80202
Register today!
To access the discounted member registration rate, log in using the “Login” icon at the top of the Members-only page. Once logged in, renew your 2026 SOCS membership dues to unlock your member rate based on your membership type.
Be part of this thought-provoking and enriching experience, where evidence meets collaboration, and dermatology leads the way forward.
Note: Onsite registration rates will increase, so be sure to register soon!
Register
Click here to read the SOCS' Event Policy.
Online Registration Rates
| SOCS MEMBERS |
| Fellow Member |
$100.00 |
| International Fellow Member |
$100.00 |
| International Fellow Country Code - 1 |
$25.00 |
| International Fellow Country Code - 2 |
$50.00 |
| International Fellow Country Code - 3 |
$75.00 |
| Associate Member |
$100.00 |
| Affiliate Member |
$100.00 |
| Research Trainee Member |
$25.00 |
| Resident Member |
$25.00 |
| Student Member |
$25.00 |
| NON-MEMBERS |
| Non-Member - Physician |
$150.00 |
| Non-Member - International Physician |
$150.00 |
| Non-Member - Affiliate |
$150.00 |
| Non-Member - Associate |
$150.00 |
| Non-Member - Research Trainee |
$50.00 |
| Non-Member - Resident |
$50.00 |
| Non-Member - Student |
$50.00 |
| Industry Representative |
$300.00 |
| Press Pass |
$200.00 |
Oral Abstract Presentations
Risk of Psychiatric Comorbidities in Scarring vs Non-Scarring Alopecia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Nicole J. Baker, BS
SKMC at Thomas Jefferson University/ University of Pennsylvania, 3rd Year Medical Student
Distinct Metabolic Pathways of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Severity-Associated Biomarkers
Kingsley Osei-Karikari, BA
National Institutes of Health,
4th Year Medical Student
Perioperative Racial Disparities in Patients with Acral Lentiginous Melanoma Undergoing Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Umayr R. Shaikh, MPH
Georgetown University School of Medicine,
4th Year Medical Student
Medical Student Breakfast
The Center for Leadership (CFL) of the Skin of Color Society presents a dynamic educational forum designed to support medical students exploring careers in dermatology through leadership development, mentorship, and professional insight.
This event brings together medical students, dermatology residents, program directors, and national leaders for open, practical conversations about the residency application process, mentorship relationships, and the future of dermatology. The program emphasizes preparation, professionalism, and strategic career development, offering participants early exposure to perspectives that are rarely accessible during medical training.
What Participants Will Gain
Through medical student breakfast programming, participants will:
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Gain firsthand insight into the dermatology residency application and interview process
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Learn directly from current dermatology residents and program directors
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Understand how mentorship and leadership development influence career progression
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Participate in candid discussions in a supportive, interactive environment
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Build professional connections with peers and leaders in dermatology
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Develop greater clarity around positioning themselves as future dermatologists
This program reflects the CFL’s mission to cultivate confident, prepared, and professionally grounded future leaders in dermatology
Featured Program Agenda
Format: Interactive panels, facilitated discussion, and live Q&A
Timing: 8:00 - 10:00 AM
| 8:00 – 8:30 AM |
Breakfast
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| 8:30 – 8:35 AM |
Welcome Remarks
Nada Elbuluk, MD, SOCS President 25-26
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| 8:35 - 8:45 AM |
Journey with Me
Personal reflections of dermatologist's journey
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| 8:45 – 9:10 AM |
Pathway to Dermatology Panel
“The Match & Mentorship Journey”
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| 9:10 – 9:40 AM |
Audience Q&A
Live questions
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| 9:40 – 9:45 AM |
Clinique Sponsor Spotlight
Remarks from Kelly Fanning of Clinique
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| 9:45 – 10:00 AM |
Brief Closing
Victoria Barbosa, MD, CFL Co-Chair
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iPoster Galleries
Scientific iPoster Activity Timeline and Status
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Activity
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Timeline
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Status
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Call for Abstracts
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August 4 - October 6, 2025 (Noon CT)
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Closed
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Scientific Committee Review
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October - November 2025
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Done |
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Notifications to Abstract Primary Authors
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November 2025
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Done |
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Accepted Authors: iPoster Upload
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November 20 - December 15, 2025
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Done |
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Featured iPoster Notifications
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Early February 2026
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On Schedule |
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Scientific and Industry iPoster Galleries Go Live
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February 17, 2026
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iPoster Online Live Chat & Video Sessions (Virtual)
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March 15 - 18, 2026
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Call for Abstracts
Our Sponsors
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We sincerely thank our sponsors for their invaluable support of the 22nd Annual Scientific Symposium. Your contributions play a vital role in the success of this event and our ongoing efforts to advance innovation, collaboration, and excellence in dermatology.
Champion:
Ally:
Partner:
Friend:
Contact: Kimberly Miller, Executive Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
