JOIN THE WORLD’S LEADING SKIN OF COLOR DERMATOLOGY ORGANIZATION!
The Skin of Color Society (SOCS) is the world’s leading professional dermatologic organization dedicated to achieving health equity and excellence in patient care through research, education, mentorship, and advocacy. SOCS is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the field of dermatology to advance patient care.
Established in 2004 by Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, SOCS has grown from a small, highly dedicated group of dermatologists to become a vibrant global organization with more than 1,200 members from nearly all the United States and 35 countries around the world.
As a premier international society devoted to skin of color dermatology, our work includes:
We invite your membership and participation in our growing, dynamic society!
Who can join?
You do not have to be an individual with skin of color to be a member of the Skin of Color Society. We welcome all races and ethnicities of qualified professionals who have a special interest and training in skin of color* dermatology.
SOCS membership categories are below. Visit here for details.
Fellow Member
Associate Member
Resident Member
Research Fellow
Student Member
Unique Benefits of SOCS Membership
“I am absolutely thrilled with the trajectory of SOCS since we began in 2004. When we look at how the membership has grown, it’s so rewarding to see the expansion in the numbers of members involved, as well as our diversity and the wide range of valuable programs and activities we now offer.”—Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, SOCS Founder
“We are a group that is truly committed to excellence, a really unique group. I wish we could call ourselves the Skin of Color Family instead of the Skin of Color Society, because this is a group where we use our commitment and passion for science and care and combine it with leadership, camaraderie and passion for everything that is related to skin of color dermatology.”—Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, SOCS Past President
“The Skin of Color Society is a great brotherhood or sisterhood…where people really learn from each other.”—Cheryl Burgess, MD, FAAD, Former Board member
“Being a part of the Skin of Color Society is being part of an international community of individuals ranging from dermatologists, members of industry, medical students, residents, all who share one passion: passion in advancing the care of dermatologic disorders in patients with skin of color, a population that has some unique unmet needs. SOCS really stands alone as the only and the premier organization that focuses on advancing the education, awareness and research into areas of importance for patients of color.”—Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, Co-chair, SOCS Scientific Committee
“I wouldn’t be the kind of dermatologist I am without the Skin of Color Society. I think it has really shaped who I am as a physician, as a person. I’ve learned a lot more about diversity, about my patients. I ask more questions. Hopefully I am better at what I do because of it.”—Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD, SOCS member
“The Skin of Color Society is so special because it is a group of extremely dedicated dermatologists. It’s national, it’s international…there are people who are academicians, clinicians in private practice, there’s a close network.”—Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD, FAAD, SOCS Past President
I’m constantly learning new things from my colleagues and co-members who are in this organization. Every day, I’m able to use something that I’m learning from one of my colleagues and incorporate that into my everyday practice.”—Crystal Aguh, MD, MPH, FAAD, SOCS Board Member
“We take the individual from the place where they’re just starting in their medical career and thinking about ‘where would I like to go?’ “Is dermatology right for me?” all the way through residency, through fellowship and into their practicing world. For someone who’s coming to the Society new, I would recommend they start with committee work, then start to move up in the Society as we are always looking for the next leaders.”—Amy McMichael, MD, FAAD, SOCS Past President
“One of the exciting parts about the Skin of Color Society is our Mentorship Program, and that’s where you bring these generational dermatologists together and you come up with new ideas and learn how to treat your patients, without the adverse events that we commonly see in patients with darker skin.”—Valerie Callender, MD, FAAD, SOCS Founding Member
We warmly invite you to join the Skin of Color Society family today!
*People with skin of color are of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and include African Americans, Asians, Hispanics or Latinos, Native Indians and Pacific Islanders primarily, as well as individuals from these groups who have intermarried
“I am absolutely thrilled with the trajectory of SOCS since we began in 2004. When we look at how the membership has grown, it’s so rewarding to see the expansion in the numbers of members involved, as well as our diversity and the wide range of valuable programs and activities we now offer.”—Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, SOCS Founder
“We are a group that is truly committed to excellence, a really unique group. I wish we could call ourselves the Skin of Color Family instead of the Skin of Color Society, because this is a group where we use our commitment and passion for science and care and combine it with leadership, camaraderie and passion for everything that is related to skin of color dermatology.”—Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, SOCS Past President
“The Skin of Color Society is a great brotherhood or sisterhood…where people really learn from each other.”—Cheryl Burgess, MD, FAAD, Former Board member
“Being a part of the Skin of Color Society is being part of an international community of individuals ranging from dermatologists, members of industry, medical students, residents, all who share one passion: passion in advancing the care of dermatologic disorders in patients with skin of color, a population that has some unique unmet needs. SOCS really stands alone as the only and the premier organization that focuses on advancing the education, awareness and research into areas of importance for patients of color.”—Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, Co-chair, SOCS Scientific Committee
“I wouldn’t be the kind of dermatologist I am without the Skin of Color Society. I think it has really shaped who I am as a physician, as a person. I’ve learned a lot more about diversity, about my patients. I ask more questions. Hopefully I am better at what I do because of it.”—Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD, SOCS member
“The Skin of Color Society is so special because it is a group of extremely dedicated dermatologists. It’s national, it’s international…there are people who are academicians, clinicians in private practice, there’s a close network.”—Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD, FAAD, SOCS Past President
I’m constantly learning new things from my colleagues and co-members who are in this organization. Every day, I’m able to use something that I’m learning from one of my colleagues and incorporate that into my everyday practice.”—Crystal Aguh, MD, MPH, FAAD, SOCS Board Member
Experiencing the Many Unique Benefits of Your SOCS Membership!
As we wrap up the Skin of Color Society membership renewal season, and gear up for the 18th Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium, we are looking ahead to a very exciting and enriching year for SOCS members—filled with outstanding opportunities to grow professionally and personally.
We invite you to more fully experience the many unique benefits of your SOCS membership in the coming year, such as:
Here’s what esteemed SOCS leaders have to say about being a part of SOCS:
“I am absolutely thrilled with the trajectory of SOCS since we began in 2004. When we look at how the membership has grown, it’s so rewarding to see the expansion in the numbers of members involved, as well as our diversity and the wide range of valuable programs and activities we now offer.”—Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, SOCS Founder
“We are a group that is truly committed to excellence, a really unique group. I wish we could call ourselves the Skin of Color Family instead of the Skin of Color Society, because this is a group where we use our commitment and passion for science and care and combine it with leadership, camaraderie and passion for everything that is related to skin of color dermatology.”—Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, SOCS Past President
“The Skin of Color Society is a great brotherhood or sisterhood…where people really learn from each other.”—Cheryl Burgess, MD, FAAD, Former Board member
“Being a part of the Skin of Color Society is being part of an international community of individuals ranging from dermatologists, members of industry, medical students, residents, all who share one passion: passion in advancing the care of dermatologic disorders in patients with skin of color, a population that has some unique unmet needs. SOCS really stands alone as the only and the premier organization that focuses on advancing the education, awareness and research into areas of importance for patients of color.”—Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, Co-chair, SOCS Scientific Committee
“I wouldn’t be the kind of dermatologist I am without the Skin of Color Society. I think it has really shaped who I am as a physician, as a person. I’ve learned a lot more about diversity, about my patients. I ask more questions. Hopefully I am better at what I do because of it.”—Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD, SOCS member
“The Skin of Color Society is so special because it is a group of extremely dedicated dermatologists. It’s national, it’s international…there are people who are academicians, clinicians in private practice, there’s a close network.”—Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD, FAAD, SOCS Past President
I’m constantly learning new things from my colleagues and co-members who are in this organization. Every day, I’m able to use something that I’m learning from one of my colleagues and incorporate that into my everyday practice.”—Crystal Aguh, MD, MPH, FAAD, SOCS Board Member
“We take the individual from the place where they’re just starting in their medical career and thinking about ‘where would I like to go?’ “Is dermatology right for me?” all the way through residency, through fellowship and into their practicing world. For someone who’s coming to the Society new, I would recommend they start with committee work, then start to move up in the Society as we are always looking for the next leaders.”—Amy McMichael, MD, FAAD, SOCS Past President
“One of the exciting parts about the Skin of Color Society is our Mentorship Program, and that’s where you bring these generational dermatologists together and you come up with new ideas and learn how to treat your patients, without the adverse events that we commonly see in patients with darker skin.”—Valerie Callender, MD, FAAD, SOCS Founding Member
We warmly invite you to renew your membership and invite others to join the Skin of Color Society family today!
*People with skin of color are of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and include African Americans, Asians, Hispanics or Latinos, Native Indians and Pacific Islanders primarily, as well as individuals from these groups who have intermarried.
The SOCS Dermatology E-Learning and Equity Platform (known as DEEP) is a first-of-its-kind online learning management system (LMS) using the Docebo platform that enables members to learn straight from the experts at their own pace through dermatology educational webinars and practice management content. Through this platform our members are able to benefit from unlimited and free access to all educational content. After six months, non-members will be invited to enter DEEP for a fee. Eventually, it will be used as a tool to curate learning for mentees as well.
DEEP is distinctive from other learning management systems in that our platform is CME-based, and serves a valuable benefit of SOCS membership. DEEP is also more practice-focused, rather than textbook-based, and reflects what leading skin of color dermatologists are doing in their practices in treating their patients, so “DEEP’ers" can expect “hot off the press” content. With these exciting points of distinction, we believe that DEEP will be a nimble resource that will offer emerging and highly relevant expert content.
As you know, the Society’s mission is to promote awareness of and excellence within skin of color dermatology through research, education, mentorship, and advocacy. The DEEP platform fits squarely within our mission as it is devoted to education (CME & non-CME) and practice management material. This unique educational program is made possible by a grant from L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty Brands: SkinCeuticals, La Roche-Posay and CeraVe. We are truly grateful for their support and collaboration which has allowed us to develop such an important resource that will be easily accessible to physicians at all career levels.
The initial course catalog includes these dermatology e-learning courses:
This unique educational program is made possible by a grant from L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty Brands: SkinCeuticals, La Roche-Posay and CeraVe. We are truly grateful for their support and collaboration which has allowed us to develop such an important resource that will be easily accessible to physicians at all career levels.
Reporting Claims of Copyright Infringement
The Skin of Color Society (“SOCS”) will respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement that comply with applicable law. If you believe any materials accessible on or from this site (the “Website”) infringe your copyright, you may request removal of those materials (or access to them) from the Website by submitting written notification to our copyright agent designated below. In accordance with the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”), the written notice (each a “DMCA Notice”) must include the following information:
Our designated copyright agent to receive DMCA Notices is:
Scott S. Fintzen
Gaido & Fintzen
320 Walnut Street
St. Charles, IL 60174
If you fail to comply with all of the requirements of Section 512(c)(3) of the DMCA, your DMCA Notice may not be effective. Please be aware that if you knowingly misrepresent that material or activity on the Website is infringing your copyright, you may be held liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) under Section 512(f) of the DMCA.
Counter Notification Procedures
If you believe material you posted to the Website was removed or access to it was disabled by mistake or misidentification, you may file a counter notification to SOCS (a “Counter Notice”) by submitting written notification to our copyright agent designated above. Pursuant to the DMCA, the Counter Notice must include:
The DMCA allows us to restore the removed content if the party filing the original DMCA Notice does not file a court action against you within ten business days of receiving the copy of your Counter Notice.
Please be aware that if you knowingly materially misrepresent that material or activity on the Website was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification, you may be held liable for damages (including costs and attorneys’ fees) under Section 512(f) of the DMCA.
Repeat Infringers
It is SOCS’s policy in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion to terminate access to the Website for users who may be repeat infringers of the copyrights of others.