SOCS encourages our membership to participate in achieving our mission and purpose through committee involvement.
SOCS members, please email
Please provide the following information with your inquiry (allow at least 7 business days for review/publishing process):
The AMA Foundation is seeking physicians to serve as mentors for their 2026-27 Leadership Development Institute (LDI). This year, the AMA Foundation is welcoming 40 individuals into the LDI program. We rely on dedicated physicians invested in inspiring the next generation of medicine to serve as mentors.
The LDI is dedicated to cultivating the skills of an aspiring group of physician leaders who are committed to their patients and communities. Through the yearlong program, the LDI offers medical students a unique opportunity to gain individualized insight into the skills needed to foster their careers and the future of medicine. LDI participants receive professional development opportunities and are paired with an experienced physician leader to work with throughout the program year.
During the year, mentors work 1:1 with an LDI participant. The expectations of our mentors are listed below.
If you are interested in serving, we ask that you fill out this short mentor interest form: https://wkf.ms/4rsPscX.
Contact Allison Wesel with any questions via email at
Job titles: Assistant or Associate Professor, Dermatology (Clin X Series)
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Website link: Click here to view job posting.
Contact information: Ampi Montiel;
Job titles: Pediatric/ General Dermatologist
Organization: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Website link: Click here to view job posting.
Contact information:
Job titles: Assistant Professor General Dermatologist/Mohs Surgeon
Organization: University of New Mexico Dermatology Department
Website link: Click here to view job posting.
Contact information:
Factors That Influence Dermatology Postgraduate Career Choice
Study Objective: Identify key determinants that support successful transitions into the specialty and encourage interest in dermatology.
Institution: Wayne State University Department of Dermatology
Preferred Listing Dates: 1/5/25 - 3/5/25
Contact information: Dr. Steven Daveluy:
Study Link: Click here!
Please reach out to
You must be a SOCS Member to submit a request, click here to join.
Topic: Skin of Color Provider Survey
Study Objective: We are conducting a survey study to understand the practice styles, strengths, and challenges of dermatologists who specialize in skin of color. Any dermatologist who self-identifies as a provider specializing in skin of color is invited to take this survey. We welcome you to share this with other providers who may be interested.
Contact: Stella Chen, MD
Survey Link: Click here!
Topic: Assessment of cosmetic education in skin of color for dermatology residents
Study Objective: The goal of this study is to better understand resident training of cosmetics in skin of color. This will be done by assessing the confidence of third year dermatology residents in their preparedness to practice cosmetic dermatology for patients of color.
Contact: Dr. Hye Jin Chung at
Survey Link: Click here!
Topic: Measuring the Burden of Post-Inflammatory Pigmentary Alteration – A Survey Study of Dermatologists
Study Objective: Identify how best to measure the burden or severity of post-inflammatory pigmentary alteration from the dermatologist perspective
Contact: Penn Medicine Dermatology
Survey Link: Click here!
Topic: Artificial Intelligence and Patient Education
Study Objective: To identify the most common dermatologic questions posed by patients with skin of color by utilizing an anonymous online survey posted to the Skin of Color Societies (SOCS) website
Contact: University of Missouri, Department of Dermatology, Isaac Weber,
Survey Link: Click Here!
The Human Tissues and Organs Research Resource (HTORR) provides the biomedical research community with human tissues for research. The 2-year award provided through our Pilot Award Program will include up to ~10 biological samples per awarded investigator, covering all costs associated with obtaining the biospecimens, including tissue preservation reagents and shipping costs.
To learn more, please visit the National Disease Research Interchange Pilot Award Program website or the NIAMS HTORR webpage
Explore NIH’s Grants & Funding search page (from the Office of Extramural Research) to find up-to-date information about NIH funding, including all NIAMS-related programs and opportunities.
Please visit: https://www.niams.nih.gov/grants-funding/funding-opportunities to learn more
We are pleased to share this news from the Association of Medical Illustrators, (AMI) which is now accepting proposals for its 2026 Annual Conference. We were delighted that SOCS Past President Dr. Lynn McKinley-Grant presented at this conference in 2024 and excited that the AMI has turned to us for speaker proposals for this year’s conference.
This event is a premier gathering for professionals in the field of medical illustration and adjacent fields, offering a unique platform for sharing knowledge, networking, and furthering the use of visual media to advance life sciences, medicine, and healthcare.
Details of the Call for Proposals:
Established in 2004 by Dr. Susan C. Taylor, the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) is the global leader in skin of color dermatology, promoting awareness of and excellence within the field, through research, education, mentorship, and advocacy.
SOCS is committed to the education of health care providers and the general public in dermatologic health issues related to skin of color.
Individuals with skin of color have increased pigmentation, diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and include those of the following ancestries: African, Asian, Hispanic/Latine, Native American, Pacific Islander, as well as individuals with mixed races and/or ethnicities.
SOCS encourages our membership to participate in achieving our mission and purpose through committee involvement.
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.
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.
SOCS leadership is comproised of the current Officers, The Skin of Color Society Board of Directors, and its Founding Members.
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.
As the world’s leading professional skin of color dermatology organization dedicated to advancing excellence and equity in patient care, the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) reports a highly impactful year of seminal achievements and contributions. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Susan C. Taylor, SOCS has grown dramatically over the past two decades to now include more than 1,330 members in 22 countries and offer many enriching and innovative programs to benefit physicians, patients, and the public...
SOCS Mission: 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.
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.
(Applications Closed – Reopening Soon)
Click a tab for more information:
We are proud to continue a groundbreaking initiative, the SOCS Center for Leadership (CFL), led by Victoria Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD, during her 2024–2025 SOCS presidency. The Center’s mission is to develop leaders who will drive the dermatology field forward with innovation, inclusivity, and excellence.
The innovative curriculum will include live and on-demand online programming, as well as a more structured cohort experience that blends webinars and online community with an immersive, in-person leadership development program that will be tailored to individual needs, interests and aspirations.
The SOCS Mentorship Program is a comprehensive program that connects young physicians and medical students with an approved skin of color expert from SOCS. The Mentorship Program is now open to medical students. Residents can serve as both a mentor (to medical students) AND as a mentee (matched with a practicing dermatologist).
Call for Applications: August 4 - October 27, 2026, 12:00 PM CT
The SOCS Observership Grant awards up to $2,500 USD grants to dermatology residents, medical students (2nd-4th year), and junior faculty to enable study with a SOCS mentor identified by the applicant. Grants are intended for travel, room and board as needed to establish and facilitate the mentoring relationship.
Call for Applications: August 4 - October 27, 2026, 12:00 PM CT
The Skin of Color Society, in conjunction with the NMA Dermatology Section, is proud to present the Clinical Investigator Training and Mentorship Program. This mentorship program is intended to:
Call for Applications: August 3 - November 2, 2026, 12:00 PM CT
The Skin of Color Society Foundation (SOCSF), in partnership with Clinique, is proud to continue the Dermatologists of Tomorrow Scholarship presented by Clinique & SOCSF. This initiative is designed to provide financial support and mentorship to individuals who are committed to health equity and aspire to pursue careers in dermatology. Recognizing dermatology as one of the most competitive medical specialties, this scholarship aims to increase access to the field.
Call for Applications: October 6 - December 22, 2026, 12:00 PM CT
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Eleryan, Misty, Friedman, Adam (2023). The Full Spectrum of Dermatology: A Diverse and Inclusive Atlas Digital Edition | Sanovaworks.
Donkor, Claudia, Aryee-Boi, Je
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Kinai M (2012). Dark Skin Dermatology Color Atlas: Clinical Dermatology. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
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Tay YK, Chan YC (2011). Textbook Of Laser And Light Dermatology In The Asian Skin. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing.
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Grimes PE (2006). Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery for Darker Skin Types. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Halder RM (2005). Dermatology and Dermatological Therapy of Pigmented Skins. Florida: CRC Press.
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Join clinical experts, thought leaders, and advocates for a collaborative discussion on the issues of health disparities, structural racism, and medicine as we examine specific dermatologic diseases in a series of four free and open educational webinars.
Register now for one event or all four!