Dermatologists of Tomorrow Scholarship presented by Clinique and SOCSF
The Skin of Color Society Foundation (SOCSF), in collaboration with Clinique, is proud to introduce the Dermatologists of Tomorrow Scholarship presented by Clinique and SOCSF. This scholarship offers financial support and mentorship to underrepresented medical students pursuing dermatology, one of the most competitive and least diverse specialties in medicine. It aligns with SOCSF’s mission to promote dermatologic care for diverse and underserved populations, advancing health equity.
Awarding $200,000 in Scholarship Funding to Support Applicants
Medical Student Membership: Must be an active Medical Student Member of the Skin of Color Society (SOCS).
Residency Path: Planning to submit an ERAS application for dermatology residency in the current application cycle.
Medical School: Students who will be entering fourth year of medical school.
Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM): Applications are encouraged from individuals who identify as underrepresented in medicine (URiM), particularly those with financial need. This includes, but is not limited to:
Use of Funds: Scholarship funds are intended for dermatology residency-related expenses such as applications, away rotations, travel, conference registration, interview attire, and professional society memberships.
Active SOCS Membership: Maintain active membership in SOCS throughout the scholarship period, including transitioning from Medical Student to Resident membership.
Residency Match Notification: Notify SOCS once matched into a dermatology residency and join the SOCS alumni network for ongoing mentorship and community engagement.
Participation in Alumni Network: Awardees are encouraged to actively participate in the alumni network, fostering mentorship and sharing experiences with new recipients.
Participation in Surveys: Complete program-related surveys to provide insights and feedback about the scholarship experience.
Awardee Report: Submit a 500-word report detailing the impact of the scholarship on career development, especially regarding dermatology for skin of color.
Attendance at SOCS Symposium: Awardees are highly encouraged to attend the Scientific Symposium in the year following their award. An additional travel stipend will be provided to cover associated costs.
Testimonial Contribution: Provide testimonials for SOCS newsletters or other platforms, sharing how the scholarship supported your path in dermatology.
✔ Completed Application Form
✔ Personal Statement
Outline your career goals and commitment to dermatology, with a focus on skin of color.
✔ Community Engagement & Service Paragraph
Share any meaningful experiences in community engagement or service.
✔ Curriculum Vitae (CV)
✔ Two Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
From individuals who can speak to your teamwork, collaboration, and leadership potential.
✔ Letter of Enrollment & Good Standing
Official confirmation from your U.S. medical school.
✔ Step 1 Transcript
✔ Official Medical School Transcript
Start preparing now to ensure your application is complete when the call for applications opens!
For More Information
Visit the SOCS website for full details on how to apply, eligibility requirements, and important updates about the scholarship program.
The SOCS Public Education Committee
For this month’s Committee Corner, we are pleased to feature the Public Education Committee, (formerly known as Patient Education.)
Co-chaired by Drs. Heather Woolery-Lloyd and Oluwakemi Onajin, this busy and productive committee is dedicated to creating and disseminating high-quality educational resources tailored specifically for individuals with skin of color.
About the Committee
The committee develops materials that address the unique dermatologic needs, conditions, and concerns of the public, empowering them with knowledge for better skin health and well-being. By providing accessible and culturally relevant information, the committee aims to enhance awareness and understanding, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The committee oversees the educational content for the My Best Winter Skin campaign, an initiative that raises awareness about winter skin health while promoting volunteerism and donations to the SOCS Foundation.
In addition, the committee recently assumed the responsibilities of the SOC Images Task Force, whereby it will oversee the Society’s relationship with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), facilitating collaboration on the AAD Image Collection to ensure more inclusive visual representation. Further, the committee will focus on increasing the presence of skin of color images in educational materials, including medical textbooks and patient pamphlets. A key priority for the committee will be to examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can be leveraged to improve the quality and accessibility of educational resources and images.
Meet the Co-chairs
Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd is the Director, Skin of Color Division, Dr Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. A well-recognized expert in skin of color who lectures nationally and internationally, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd participates extensively in clinical research, serving as an investigator for clinical trials with an emphasis on increasing the inclusion of skin of color patients. A longtime SOCS leader, Dr. Woolery-Lloyd is also an active Academy member, where she was recently honored with the AAD's Presidential Citation for her commitment to education and research in skin of color dermatology.
Dr Woolery-Lloyd has worked with Dr. Onajin and their committee to make skin of color dermatology patient education more accessible and easier to understand, particularly on the updated SOCS website. “Providing reliable, accessible information on common dermatologic conditions in skin of color is an important mission of SOCS. This commitment to education is one of the reasons I find serving on the Public Education Committee to be so deeply rewarding,” she notes. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd adds, “Patient education is key to improving health outcomes. If you're passionate about empowering patients through education, consider joining our committee to help further our mission and impact!”
Dr. Onajin comments, “As co-chair of the Public Education Committee, I am committed to ensuring that individuals of all skin tones have access to accurate, culturally sensitive and empowering information about skin health. In an era marked by increasing political polarization, our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is more critical than ever. I urge SOCS members to continue to raise awareness about the disparities in dermatological care faced by people of color, and to advocate for policies that dismantle systemic barriers to dermatological care.”
Check out the Public Education section of the SOCS website!
The SOCS Scientific Committee
SOCS Scientific Committee Co-chairs, Drs. Crystal Aguh and Cesar Antonio Virgen
For this month’s Committee Corner, we are delighted to feature the SOCS Scientific Committee, co-chaired by Drs. Crystal Aguh and Cesar Antonio Virgen.
Under their dedicated leadership, this busy, highly engaged committee is responsible for planning and delivering the Skin of Color Society's Annual Scientific Symposium, happening on Thursday, March 6, 2025 in Orlando, FL.
About the Committee
The Scientific Committee is dedicated to advancing education for dermatologists, residents, and non-physician scientists on dermatologic conditions that specifically impact individuals with skin of color. Through these efforts, the committee aims to foster greater understanding, promote the latest research, and enhance the quality of care provided to this diverse patient population. The committee plays a key role in ensuring that the meeting serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and improving dermatologic practice for individuals with skin of color. In addition to the Symposium, the Committee is also charged with coordinating educational programming for ancillary meetings held at the World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV).
Dr. Aguh is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Her area of research focuses primarily on skin conditions that disproportionately impact minority populations, with particular emphasis on cicatricial alopecia. She has authored four books on hair loss and has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and given multiple national and international talks on these topics. Dr. Aguh is the recipient of numerous prestigious research awards & grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Skin of Color Society, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the Dermatology Foundation.
Dr. Virgen is a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Attending Physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York, NY. As a member of the inaugural cohort of MSKCC Faculty Scholars, he is dedicated to advancing dermatologic care and research in oncology. His clinical and research interests include cutaneous lymphomas and supportive oncodermatology, striving to enhance patient outcomes through research and compassionate care.
Message from the Co-Chairs
Dr. Aguh: “It has been so much fun working with such a wonderful group of dermatologists who have contributed so much to help develop a program that we feel will be enjoyed by the entire SOCS community. I have also thoroughly enjoyed working with my co-chair, Dr. Cesar Virgen, and collaborating with him through this entire process.
This year, the committee has been working hard to develop a Symposium that will highlight improving equity as it pertains to scientific research and clinical outcomes within dermatology. We have assembled a stellar line-up of experts in clinical care and scientific discovery. We are so excited to welcome our keynote speaker this year, Dr. Uche Blackstock, who has been a leader in advocating for healthcare equity.”
Dr. Virgen: “I am deeply grateful to my co-chair, Dr. Aguh, and the entire Scientific Committee for their dedication and hard work in curating an outstanding program for the upcoming Symposium, Innovating for Equity. I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to our committee members, who meticulously reviewed over a hundred abstract submissions and to the SOCS judges who helped select the top iPosters. Our work extends beyond medicine and science—it is about representation, equity, and driving meaningful change in dermatology.”
Both co-chairs enthusiastically encourage you to register for the upcoming 21st Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium, a program not to be missed!
Please upload LABELED files as a .zip OR upload multiple photos at once (max 50 images) if required, refresh page and send batch of files if you have more than 50.
Using this spreadsheet, record each image, identifying each file following this format:
SOCS_Your First and Last Name_Condition Shown_Skin Tone (light, medium or dark).
Once you have named your photos and put the corresponding entries within the sheet, please upload the completed sheet below.
(You will upload your photos in the final step 3)
*Make sure to submit before moving on to step 3*