Committee Corner: Media Relations Committee
SOCS Media Relations Co-Chairs, Drs. Brittany Oliver (left) and Nkem Ugonabo
For this month’s Committee Corner, we are delighted to highlight the SOCS Media Relations Committee, co-chaired by Drs. Nkem Ugonabo and Brittany Oliver.
This dynamic and busy committee is responsible for overseeing and enhancing all member and public-facing communication channels to ensure that content is engaging, accurate, and aligned with the SOCS mission, values, and brand. These channels include the SOCS website, our weekly e-news digest, The Scoop, and various social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn).
In collaboration with the Professional Education Committee, this committee also oversees the content of the second of two monthly podcasts covering SOCS news and features for Skin of Color Savvy: The Art & Science of Treating Patients of Color. This series is known as “Savvy Stories,” highlighting experiences of members participating in various SOCS programs and initiatives.
The Media Relations Committee oversees the SOCS Speaks program and plays a key role in the development of the Annual SOCS Media Day. This year’s program (our 8th) will be held virtually on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
In collaboration with the Public Education Committee, the Media Relations Committee contributes to the development of educational content for digital and social media, ensuring that messaging remains consistent, impactful, and reaches a wide audience, thereby advancing the Society’s visibility and influence.
Meet the Co-Chairs
Nkem Ugonabo, MD, MPH, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and a SOCS/SOCSF Board member. Dr. Ugonabo notes, “My goal as co-chair is to continue to expand the reach of our amazing society to both the general public, and our media partners.”
Brittany Oliver, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at University of Missouri— Kansas City. She shares, “As co-chair, I hope to continue and further the legacy of the committee leaders who came before me by working to reach varied and diverse audiences across multiple platforms and news outlets as we provide reliable, accurate educational content relevant to the SOCS mission.”
Focus for 2025-2026 program year
Drs. Ugonabo and Oliver jointly express their desire to “educate the general public about dermatology matters that are relevant to skin of color, to update people on the work that the Society is doing both on and off camera, and to grow our relationships with our existing and future partners.”
Their aim is “to engage and empower our own members to explore media and social media training opportunities, to increase the proportion of trusted voices online as we strive to provide evidence-based educational content and fight medical misinformation.”
This important goal will be achieved through an increased focus on promoting awareness and educational content on various SOCS platforms with respect to conditions disproportionately affecting skin of color populations, including SOCS members who are pioneering the latest research, and sharing new advancements/FDA approvals related to dermatologic conditions.
Call to Action
Drs. Ugonabo and Oliver encourage members to become actively involved. “We especially appreciate and welcome engagement on our social media content. Please follow us at @skinofcolorsociety on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, and @SkinofColor on X. Media opportunities are not just for Media Relations Committee members! We encourage all SOCS leaders and members interested in serving as experts for public-facing speaking and media opportunities to become active in SOCS Speaks!”