AAD x SOCS Pathways Presentation Toolkit for School Visits
We’re excited to announce the launch of a new Pathways Presentation Toolkit, developed in collaboration with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and members of the Skin of Color Society (SOCS). This downloadable PowerPoint is designed for dermatologists and medical students conducting outreach in schools to introduce students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to the field of dermatology.
To ensure impact tracking, all users will be directed to access the presentation through the AAD website, where survey tools are integrated to collect meaningful feedback and engagement data.
Access the Toolkit: AAD Pathways for High School Students
Explore Related Curriculum: YMI Skin Science Resources
This resource is now housed in our Resources section, alongside past outreach materials like the Young Minds Inspired (YMI) Toolkit.
Special thanks to the AAD Diversity Committee and the SOCS Diversity in Action Task Force for their leadership and collaboration on this initiative.
AAD Diversity Committee:
Rebecca Vasquez, MD
Kanya Ferguson, MD
Katrina Abuabara, MD
Loren Krueger, MD
Annika Weinhammer, MD
SOCS Diversity in Action Task Force:
Olabola Awosika, MD
Severine Cao, MD
Sofia Chaudhry, MD
Jennifer Coias, MD
Brianna De Souza, MD
Seemal R. Desai, MD
Anisha Guda, MD
Nicole Gunasekera, MD
Gina Alvarado Jones, MD, MS
Roopal V. Kundu, MD
Amy McMichael, MD
Peterson Pierre, MD
Nikki Pritchett, MD
Caroline Robinson, MD
Janyla Seltzer, MD
Vaneeta Sheth, MD
Aleta Simmons, MD
Ramone Williams, MD, MPhil
Daneeque Woolfolk, MD
Committee Corner: The SOCS Professional Education Committee
Dr. Morayo Adisa (left) and Dr. Mona Shahriari, Co-chairs, SOCS Professional Education Committee
For this month’s Committee Corner, we are pleased to feature the SOCS Professional Education Committee, co-chaired by Drs. Morayo Adisa and Mona Shahriari.
This active and important committee is dedicated to advancing the knowledge and expertise of healthcare professionals in skin of color dermatology, with a particular focus on meeting the unique and diverse needs of patients with skin of color.
Formerly known as the Physician Education Committee, the Professional Education Committee is primarily focused on three key areas:
Meet the Co-chairs
Dr. Morayo Adisa is Medical Director, Dermatology Physicians SC, Chicago and Kenilworth, Illinois.
Dr. Mona Shahriari is Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, Associate Director of Clinical Trials CCD Research, and Founding Partner, Central CT Dermatology.
As Drs. Adisa and Shahriari jointly share, “Our vision for the coming year is clear: to make the Skin of Color Society the premier, gold-standard destination for all educational content related to skin of color. This year, we’re focused on strengthening our digital presence by significantly enhancing the educational offerings on the SOCS website—curating content that is not only evidence-based but also practical, relevant, and reflective of real-world clinical challenges.”
In addition to reviewing educational proposals from Medical Education Companies (MECs) to ensure quality and alignment with our values, this committee collaborates across other SOCS committees to bring forward innovative programming through The Exchange x SOCS and the Skin of Color Savvy podcast.
From the co-chairs’ perspectives, “Our aim isn’t just to inform—but to lead. That means contributing not only trusted clinical content, but also novel, forward-thinking material you won’t find anywhere else. We also recognize the importance of raising awareness about SOCS as a go-to resource and will continue to prioritize dissemination of our work and the broader mission of the organization. By working hand-in-hand with our fellow SOCS committees, we’re building a foundation of educational excellence that supports clinicians and ultimately improves care for patients of color. As co-chairs, our goal is to foster a learning environment where culturally competent care is not just emphasized—but expected. This work is personal, purposeful, and necessary.”
Call to Action
Drs. Adisa and Shahriari invite all SOCS members to engage with the committee’s educational offerings, share their expertise, and collaborate on future programming. Whether through speaking opportunities, mentorship, or resource development, your voice helps shape the next generation of leaders in skin of color dermatology.
SOCS members are encouraged to invite others to join the conversation—especially trainees, residents and fellows. By introducing them to the Society’s abundant resources early, we can ensure this content continues to serve as a trusted foundation throughout their careers. Our shared goal is to create a lasting, evolving educational platform that not only meets the needs of today’s clinicians, but also inspires and equips those of tomorrow.
Committee Corner: The Global Council and Collaborations Committee
Drs. Michelle Rodrigues and Michael Waul, Global Council and Collaborations Committee Co-Chairs
For this month’s Committee Corner, we are pleased to highlight our newly established Global Council and Collaborations Committee, co-chaired by Drs. Michelle Rodrigues and Michael Waul.
This committee serves as a vital link between the Skin of Color Society and international and national organizations with a focus on skin of color, including those in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, South and Central America, and other regions.
The committee works to build strong partnerships and foster collaboration with groups such as the National Medical Association (NMA), the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and other relevant bodies. It also supports the Society’s presence at international meetings, promoting global engagement and the exchange knowledge in dermatology related to skin of color. Through these efforts, the committee aims to strengthen connections and advance the Society’s mission on a global scale.
Michelle Rodrigues, MBBS (Hons), FACD, is Associate Professor, University of Melbourne, and Founder and Director, Chroma Dermatology, Australia. As co-chair of this exciting new committee, Dr. Rodrigues remarks that she looks forward to “working with her co-chair, Dr. Waul, and their committee to advance awareness, education, and clinical excellence in skin of color dermatology globally —driving health equity and delivering world-class care for all skin types, with the hopes achieving this through collaboration with other dermatologic organizations and key continuing medical education events across the globe in 2025.”
As Dr. Rodrigues shares, “SOCS has played a pivotal role in my career development and one of the greatest sources of professional fulfillment. Just over a decade ago, current SOCS President, Dr. Nada Elbuluk and I were given the task of establishing the mentoring program for SOCS. Seeing it flourish and be the source of inspiration for so many around the world is heartwarming. Many collaborative research projects, awareness programs and improvements in patient care have stemmed directly from my involvement with SOCS but it is the deep personal connections that have and continue to be one of the greatest things about being a member of SOCS. I encourage all young medical students, doctors, dermatologist and industry partners who want to innovate, collaborate and advance our specialty, to join SOCS and consider volunteering on one of the many committees that make SOCS what it is today and follow the dermatologists who are passionate about this area to continue to learn more.”
Michael Waul, MD, FAAD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Waul comments, “I am honored to serve as co-chair of the Global Council and Collaborations Committee, and to be an ambassador for SOCS on the international stage. I am thrilled to see the impact of our work - so far this year we have established novel connections with several professional organizations within the US and worldwide, including Dubai Derma and the American Telemedicine Association. I look forward to working with my co-chair and committee members as we develop the Global Council, and continue to promote excellence within skin of color dermatology.”
Dr. Waul points out that an important focus this year is on the Global Council Initiative, which will connect international dermatological societies focused on skin of color, sharing best practices and addressing regional dermatological needs. The committee will help form the Global Council by recommending professional societies and developing its structure (e.g. charter, protocols, potential bylaws).
The co-chairs encourage all SOCS members with connections to other international dermatologic societies to contact them, as they are always excited to develop new professional networks and expand SOCS' global impact.
SOCS is excited to introduce its new Sliding Scale International Membership Dues Categories. This sliding-scale dues structure, based on the World Bank income classification, allows SOCS to reach Dermatologists around the globe at a fair cost associated with their local economic conditions. By offering a range of dues categories, SOCS aims to make membership more accessible to dermatologists worldwide, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their country's economic status, can benefit from the organization's resources and network.
Applicants must ensure that their medical license corresponds to the country code from which they are applying. The license must be issued by the same country listed in their application, in alignment with the World Bank classification used to determine membership dues.
This structure is designed to provide flexibility while maintaining a commitment to supporting the global dermatology community. With this change, SOCS hopes to further its mission of advancing dermatologic education, research, and collaboration across all regions.
Below are the regions the World Bank has classified for income levels, which will help determine the appropriate membership dues for dermatologists.
Country Code 1:
International Fellow Dues $45
Afghanistan
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo,Dem.Rep.
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gambia
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Korea,Dem.People’s Rep.
Liberia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mozambique
Nepal
Niger
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Syrian Arab Republic
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Yemen
Zimbabwe
Country Code 2:
International Fellow Dues $95
Angola
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Bolivia
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Congo,Republic of
Cote d'Ivoire
Djibouti
Egypt
El Salvador
Georgia
Ghana
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Lao
Lesotho
Mauritania
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Morocco
Myanmar
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Sao Tome and Principe
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Swaziland
Timor-Leste
Tunisia
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
West Bank and Gaza
Zambia
Country Code 3:
International Fellow Dues $145
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belize
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
China, People’s Rep. of
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Equatorial Guinea
Fiji
Gabon
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Lebanon
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Macedonia
Malaysia
Maldives
Mexico
Montenegro
Namibia
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Romania
Russia
Samoa
Serbia
South Africa
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Suriname
Thailand
Tonga
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Venezuela
Country Code 4:
International Fellow Dues $195
All Other Countries