In late 2020, the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) embarked on an exciting journey to conduct a comprehensive strategic planning process, involving SOCS leaders and staff, led by Tecker International, a management consulting firm. In Q1 2022, we reached finalization of our Strategic Plan, which is summarized in the following overview.
GOAL A: Dermatology will be a diverse, knowledgeable, competent, and compassionate specialty treating skin of all colors.
GOAL B: Public stakeholders will universally recognize SOCS physicians as the leaders in the field of skin of color dermatology.
GOAL C: The Skin of Color Society will lead advances in skin of color dermatology.
GOAL D: Members will recognize the Society as the gold standard medical organization for skin of color education, research, and mentorship.
We advance skin of color dermatology to achieve health equity and excellence in patient care.
We are dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion in dermatology.
To promote awareness of and excellence within skin of color dermatology through research, education, mentorship, and advocacy. We are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the field of dermatology to advance patient care.
EQUITY: We ensure inclusivity and diversity to achieve health equities in patient care.
EXCELLENCE: We leverage our recognition and authority within dermatology, the house of medicine, and the public as experts in skin of color dermatology.
MENTORSHIP: We value mentorship as a leadership development tool to foster a diverse workforce at all levels, developing and empowering future leaders in the field.
RESEARCH and INNOVATION: We lead research and innovation through our diverse array of advanced research activities, leveraging collaborations with domestic and international corporations and organizations.
EDUCATION: We educate the public, partners, and colleagues in support of our mission and noble purpose.
The Skin of Color Society (SOCS) is globally recognized as the preeminent leader in advancing skin of color dermatology to achieve health equity and excellence in patient care. The individual and collective efforts of leaders and members of the Skin of Color Society work synergistically to advance the continued expansion and evolution of the field of skin of color dermatology.
SOCS serves as the go-to authority and source of skin of color dermatologic knowledge and expertise for patients of color, the dermatological workforce, trainees, collaborators in the medical community, industry, the media, and the public-at-large.
The Society heightens awareness, deepens understanding and bridges knowledge gaps as the leading repository of skin of color dermatology education, including information on a wide array of dermatologic conditions, challenges and issues affecting people of color.
As a result of the work of SOCS, patients of color, physicians, the field of dermatology reap ongoing benefits from a more diverse, highly competent, well-trained, culturally sensitive, and inclusive workforce that is representative of, and reaches parity with, the global population–ultimately delivering compassionate, excellent and equitable dermatologic care for all.
A continuous pipeline of dermatological students, residents and fellows is comprehensively trained in the care of diverse populations with ready access to highly skilled mentors in all aspects of skin of color dermatology (medical, cosmetic and surgical), spanning private practice, public service and academia. This significant, sustainable increase in the number and diversity of well-trained dermatologists enables us to achieve healthcare equity for patients of color, ensure excellence in patient care and introduce innovations that positively impact the entire dermatology ecosystem.
SOCS shapes the future of skin of color dermatology by providing leadership development opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders, as well as offering ongoing mentorship experiences to physicians at all career levels–resulting in the continuous evolution and growth of dermatologists and the specialty as a whole, ultimately benefiting patients of color.
Research in the field of skin of color dermatology thrives, leading to important scientific and technological discoveries and breakthroughs, including effective new treatments and even cures for complex conditions affecting people of color. Patients of color participate regularly and broadly in clinical trial research for a wide variety of new medications and treatments under investigation.
SOCS stands as the globally recognized leader in supporting skin of color research, facilitating funding for investigative study in this diverse dermatologic field. SOCS itself offers grants to support junior investigators and seasoned physician-scientists alike, whose scientific investigations advance the field and lead to better treatments and cures that will positively impact people of color.
On an ongoing basis, SOCS leverages effective partnerships with like-minded organizations to advance understanding of the science of hair, skin and internal diseases in patients of color, as well as the art of dermatology and vital healthcare considerations relevant to racially, ethnically and culturally diverse populations.
SOCS supports unified, diverse communities around the world consisting of dermatologists with expertise in, and a passion for, skin of color dermatology, who collaborate with supporting local institutions and organizations to ensure that patients of color have access to the highest quality dermatologic care in a culturally competent manner.
Officers
President – Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD
President-Elect – Candrice R. Heath, MD, FAAD
Secretary/Treasurer – Rebecca Vasquez, MD, FAAD
Immediate Past President – Victoria Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD
The Skin of Color Society Board of Directors
Prince Adotama, MD, FAAD
Murad Alam, MD, MSCI, MBA, FAAD
Nkemjika Ugonabo, MD, FAA
Adrian Rodriguez, MD, FAAD
Tarannum Jaleel, MD, FAAD
Ginette Okoye, MD, FAAD
Janiene Luke, MD, FAAD
Tiffany T. Mayo, MD, FAAD
E. Nikki Pritchett, MD, MPH, FAAD
Mary Thomas, DNB, FRCPC, FAAD
Jane Yoo, MD, FAAD
Founding Members
Victoria Barbosa, MD, FAAD
Valerie D. Callender, MD, FAAD
Vincent DeLeo, MD, FAAD
Pearl Grimes, MD, FAAD
Aditya Gupta, MD, FAAD
Rebat Halder, MD, FAAD
Sewon Kang, MD, FAAD
A. Paul Kelly, MD, FAAD
Henry W. Lim, MD, FAAD
Amit G. Pandya, MD, FAAD
Marta I. Rendon, MD, FAAD
David Rodriquez, MD, FAAD
Miguel Sanchez, MD, FAAD
Richard Scher, MD, FAAD
Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD
Want to serve, lead and help shape the future of dermatology?
Stay tuned to the Scoop and check in with our social media to hear about when our next cycle of elections will open for 2026!
Analysis of the population of the United States reveals that there will be a dramatic shift in the country’s demographics in the 21st century. The United States is rapidly becoming a country in which the majority of citizens have pigmented skin, which is also referred to as skin of color.
These changes in national and regional demographics, as well as international population shifts, underscore the need and importance of a thorough understanding of skin of color. The dermatology community may be faced with cutaneous diseases that occur more often in people with pigmented skin, present differently, inadequately understood, or are unique to this population. An increase in the body of dermatological literature concerning skin of color as well as the advancement of both basic science and clinical investigational research is necessary to meet the needs of the expanding skin of color population.
African American, Latine, Asian, Native American and Pacific Islander communities often have an inadequate understanding of the root causes of skin diseases that commonly affect them. Furthermore, they often face numerous challenges in their attempts to find information about these diseases. Many individuals of color adhere to misconceptions about the causes and potential cures for these diseases, and spend considerable financial resources on ineffectual non-prescription, folk, or home therapies.
We are dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion in dermatology.
EQUITY: We ensure inclusivity and diversity to achieve health equities in patient care.
EXCELLENCE: We leverage our recognition and authority within dermatology, the house of medicine, and the public as experts in skin of color dermatology.
MENTORSHIP: We value mentorship as a leadership development tool to foster a diverse workforce at all levels, developing and empowering future leaders in the field.
RESEARCH and INNOVATION: We lead research and innovation through our diverse array of advanced research activities, leveraging collaborations with domestic and international corporations and organizations.
EDUCATION: We educate the public, partners, and colleagues in support of our mission and noble purpose.
The Institutional Research Fellowship Grant (IRF) program provides outstanding opportunities for underrepresented minority (URM) physicians to conduct research on skin of color dermatologic conditions and train for and assume leadership roles in clinical care, public policy, health services research and biomedical research.
Application Closed
Application Deadline: October 15, 2024; 11:59pm CTThe Institutional Research Fellowship (IRF) is a groundbreaking initiative that supports critical research on dermatologic diseases in skin of color and provides valuable opportunities for physicians of color, who are disproportionately underrepresented in dermatology and medicine. SOCS recognizes the dire need to address these healthcare disparities and is working to increase the number of physicians from diverse backgrounds who can provide culturally competent care to these often—underserved communities.