SOCS Serves: Advancing Dermatology Through Service
SOCS Serves aims to advance the Skin of Color Society’s mission by creating impact both along the dermatology pathway and within communities. Anchored in service, the initiative empowers members to lead local events and outreach efforts—domestically and internationally—that foster a more diverse, informed, and representative physician workforce and elevate community education and health literacy.
Through structured programming and standardized toolkits, SOCS members can lead initiatives that:
SOCS Serves is a dual-armed service initiative designed to create meaningful impact along the dermatology pathway and within communities through two focused service arms:
SOCS Serves the Pathway introduces students—from K–12 through medical school—to careers in dermatology and healthcare.
By providing early exposure, mentorship, and educational programming, members help build a more diverse, informed, and representative future physician workforce.
Focus Areas:
- Classroom presentations and career panels
- Hands-on exposure to dermatology concepts
- Mentorship connections and pathway guidance
- Supporting underrepresented and underserved students
SOCS Serves the Community delivers culturally relevant dermatologic education to minority and underserved populations.
Through outreach events, partnerships, and public education efforts, members provide essential skin health guidance that improves awareness, prevention, and care.
Focus Areas:
-
Community health fairs and educational workshops
-
Public awareness campaigns on conditions affecting skin of color
-
Distribution of educational materials and referral resources
-
Collaboration with community-based organizations
My Best Winter Skin Day (MBWS)
Host a SOCS Serves event on Saturday, October 24 as part of our flagship My Best Winter Skin™ Day (MBWS) initiative. Through this nationwide day of service, SOCS members can request a ready-to-use Dry Skin Toolkit and lead educational events in their local communities focused on winter skin health for skin of color.
My Best Winter Skin™ Day exemplifies the mission of SOCS Serves, empowering members to deliver culturally relevant education and practical skincare guidance that improves dermatologic literacy and promotes health equity. By participating, hosts can make a meaningful impact by providing communities with evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage dry skin during the winter months.
How It Works
SOCS provides standardized toolkits to make hosting outreach events simple and impactful.
Each toolkit includes:
-
Ready-to-use presentation materials
-
Educational handouts
-
Sample access and demonstration materials (as applicable)
-
Referral guidance and resource lists
These structured resources allow members to confidently lead high-quality events that align with SOCS’ mission and strategic goals.
Get Involved
SOCS Serves empowers you to:
- Lead outreach in your local community
- Mentor and inspire the next generation
- Improve dermatologic health literacy
- Advance health equity in skin of color
Lead. Educate. Serve. Shape the future of dermatology.
