CHICAGO, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Approaching its 10th anniversary, the Skin of Color Society Foundation (SOCSF) reports record-level growth in key programs that it supports, including an array of innovative research, education, mentorship, and advocacy efforts.
A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, the SOCSF was established in 2015 by the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), the world's leading skin of color dermatology organization, which was founded in 2004 by globally recognized dermatology leader Dr. Susan C. Taylor with the support of other highly esteemed founding members. The SOCSF works to advance excellence in patient care and health equity by supporting several signature programs and groundbreaking initiatives which have reached record-level benchmarks this year in terms of participation, engagement, and impact.
Tax-deductible donations to the SOCSF support the continued expansion of the following key priorities:
Skin of Color Society leaders discuss how this global organization is working to increase diversity in dermatology, reduce health disparities, expand much-needed research in skin of color dermatology, offer many educational and training opportunities for dermatologists at all career stages, and more.
A newer public-facing initiative known as My Best Winter Skin (MBWS) has enjoyed tremendous success since it was established in 2023. Now in its second year of community outreach and public education, the winter skincare-themed campaign is built around the annual health awareness holiday, My Best Winter Skin Day, created by the SOCS Foundation and celebrated every October 24.
This unique international holiday marks the beginning of a season of giving, education, and enthusiastic volunteerism for SOCS members. Through a dynamic series of events presented at universities and public venues throughout the United States and Canada, SOCS members and health advocates distribute dermatologist-developed educational tips for managing winter skin and donated product samples to raise awareness about optimal winter skin care and generate donations to the SOCSF. This year's MBWS campaign is generously supported by Clinique with additional valuable support from Eli Lilly and Company.
2024 SOCSF Fundraising Campaign
Themed, "Celebrate and Grow with Us," this year's fundraising campaign encourages donors to help reach the annual goal by making a one-time gift or committing to a monthly amount in any sum. Suggested giving levels include:
Corporate benefactors who have donated to the SOCSF in 2024 include:
The SOCSF gratefully recognizes the generous contributions of highly esteemed individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to advancing equity in dermatology by supporting the mission-driven work of SOCS, including:
Donors who have joined the Dr. Susan C. Taylor Society in 2024 and contributed $10,000 and above: Dr. Dhaval G. Bhanusali, and Dr. David and Nina Harvey.
Donors who have joined the Dr. Susan C. Taylor Society in 2024 by giving $2,500 and above: Drs. Murad Alam, Donald Glass II, Chere Lucas Anthony, Lynn McKinley-Grant, Alexis Stephens, and Susan C. Taylor.
In the words of Dr. Murad Alam, SOCS Board Member and Dr. Susan C. Taylor Society donor, "The most valuable aspect of the work of SOCS, in my opinion, is mentoring and supporting junior members to help guide their future careers and successes. We are all fortunate to be in dermatology, a wonderful profession with kind and supportive colleagues and patients we are privileged to meet. Many, if not most of us, would not be in dermatology without the mentorship, encouragement, and gentle nudges of teachers and leaders who helped us along the way. So, it is only fair to try to provide the same opportunities for the next generation by supporting SOCS and its Foundation."
To support the SOCSF and the work of SOCS, visit here.
CHICAGO, July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Skin of Color Society (SOCS), a global leader in skin of color dermatology, releases a comprehensive new educational video series designed to educate patients, physicians, and the general public about dermatologic conditions and diseases of importance to people of color.
This unique educational initiative was developed as part of the 7th Annual SOCS Media Day, which took place in early March 2024, following the 20th Annual SOCS Annual Scientific Symposium, a signature yearly event that showcases the latest skin of color dermatology research and insights from emerging researchers and leading experts from around the US and the world.
Several SOCS leaders, who are nationally and globally recognized board-certified dermatologists, contributed their expertise to this informative video series, including: Victoria Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, current President; Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, Immediate Past President; Shawn Kwatra, MD, Secretary/Treasurer; Janiene Luke, MD, Board Member and Media Day Co-chair; Nkem Ugonabo, MD, Media Day Co-chair; Prince Adotama, MD, Board Member, and Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, President-Elect.
This substantial award will support Dr. Glass's seminal research into "Genetics, Comorbidities and their Association with Keloids"
(March 19, 2024, Chicago, IL) The Dermatology Foundation (DF) and the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) announce that Donald A. Glass II, MD, PhD, FAAD, is the 2024 recipient of the first-ever Sanofi and Regeneron Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Mid-Career Award, given to support his research into "Genetics, Comorbidities and their Association with Keloids."
A nationally recognized keloids expert, Dr. Glass is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He served as 2021-2022 President of the Skin of Color Society.
Dr. Donald A. Glass II, 2024 Sanofi and Regeneron DEI Mid-Career Awardee (2nd from right), pictured with Dermatology Foundation and Skin of Color Society representatives from left-right: John E. Bournas, Dermatology Foundation Executive Director, Kimberly J. Miller, Skin of Color Society Executive Director, Dr. Janet A. Fairley, Dermatology Foundation President, and Dr. Andrew F. Alexis, SOCS President, 2023-2024. Photo credit: Cali Griebel Photography.
This groundbreaking award was presented to Dr. Glass at the 20th Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium and the 60th Annual Meeting of the Dermatology Foundation, both of which took place during the recent American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.
(Dec. 27, 2023, Chicago, IL) The Skin of Color Society (SOCS), the global leader in skin of color dermatology, reports that 2023 was a year of exceptional progress in support of its mission to change the landscape for people of color through research, education, mentorship and advocacy. Several signature SOCS programs and newer initiatives that took place this year made uniquely important contributions to the field, as follows.
SOCS Presidents united, pictured from left: Drs. Andrew F. Alexis (current SOCS President) with Past Presidents through the years: Drs. Rebat Halder, Valerie M. Harvey, Valerie D. Callender, Founder Susan C. Taylor, Amy McMichael, Lynn McKinley-Grant, Seemal R. Desai and President-Elect Victoria Barbosa.
2023 Highlights
December 2023: The SOCS Meeting the Challenge Summit: Population Descriptors in Dermatology Research Studies—Continuing in its commitment to increase diversity in dermatology research studies and clinical trials, SOCS presented its second Meeting the Challenge Summit in December 2023, this time focusing on population descriptors that best describe various populations under study. As the second in a series, the Summit convened an esteemed, diverse group of 116 stakeholders, including skin of color dermatology leaders, researchers, clinicians, regulators, dermatologists-in-training, industry representatives, geneticists, dermatology journal editors, and an anthropologist.
The first of its kind campaign is built around public education, volunteerism and giving in support of much-needed mentorship and research in skin of color dermatology
Chicago volunteers (top photo) gathered together, with SOCS member dermatologists (center, from left, Drs. Roopal Kundu, Caroline Robinson and Elizabeth Kiracofe), surrounded by Northwestern University Dermatology Interest Group students, led by President Hannah Soltari (seated, far right). Bottom photo shows student volunteers from the Howard University Dermatology Society, led by Shanae’ Henry and Ugonna Nwannunu, co-founders of Skin Scholars (far left), with Andrea Speight, Sr. Mgr. Medical & Community Relations – DEI, Integrated Medical Communications, L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty (far right).
My Best Winter Skin Day launched nationally on October 24, featuring two successful community outreach events in Chicago and Washington, D.C., involving teams of SOCS members, medical students and dermatology residents from Northwestern University and Howard University respectively. As part of their public outreach activities, participating SOCS volunteers shared educational tips for managing winter skin that were developed by the SOCS Patient Education Committee, and distributed free moisturizers generously donated by campaign sponsors, La Roche-Posay and CeraVe. Campaign support was also provided by Restore Hair.