About SOCS

2022 Reflections

2022 Achievements

BREAKING NEW GROUND

  • Two manuscripts submitted for publication in two high impact peer-reviewed dermatology journals.
  • Expansion of the task force’s focus to address language and classification of terms to be used in clinical trials. 
  • Creation of a working group to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based review focusing on the use and misuse of the current scales used to measure skin tone.
  • Coverage in Dermatology Times. 
  • The SOCS Foundation launched its first fundraising campaign, Project Gratitude, raising nearly $108,000 in donations from 241 donors. THX2U!
  • Thanks to the vision and generosity of Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD, SOCS introduced the Early Career Innovations Grant, which provides startup funding for young visionaries and innovators who have creative solutions addressing needs and opportunities within the skin of color dermatology ecosystem.    
  • We rolled out SOCS Speaks, which matches SOCS experts with public-facing opportunities to engage, enlighten and educate.   
  • We worked to increase recognition of the Society and its place/role in dermatology by expanding collaborative efforts to advance education and awareness around skin of color dermatology. We now have active relationships with nearly 40 external, mission-aligned partners.   
  • We presented a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on “Dermatologic Considerations for Monkeypox among People of Color” featuring SOCS leader Donald A. Glass II, MD, PhD, FAAD and Esther Freeman, MD, PhD, FAAD.
  • SOCS leaders completed and operationalized a comprehensive strategic plan.

SETTING NEW RECORDS

18th Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium

  • 478 attendees at the 18th Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium, including participants from 14 countries.
  • 108 accepted Scientific Abstracts in 2022 | 179 abstracts received for 19th Annual SOCS Symposium, 139 accepted.
  • 8 Resident Travel Grants were awarded to SOCS Resident Members to attend the Meeting the Challenge Summit.
  • 49 SOCS Mentor-mentee matches made through the SOCS Mentorship Program.
  • 17 SOCS Observership Awards of up to $2,000 were awarded through the SOCS Observership Program.
  • 1 Career Development Award of $100,000 was awarded to Shawn Kwatra, MD, FAAD for “Racial Differences in Germline and Somatic Mutations in Prurigo Nodularis.”
  • 3 SOCS Research Awards of $15,000 each were awarded to:                           
  • Jillian Richmond, PhD, Examining Gene and Protein Expression in Clinically Diverse Mycosis Fungoides Samples From Skin of Color Patients;
  • Shawn Shih, MD, The Utility of Topical Oxymetazoline in Preventing Post-filler Ecchymosis in Skin of Color Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Split-Face Study;
  • Nkemjika Ugonabo, MD, MPH, Combination Topical Cysteamine and Fractional 1927nm Low-Powered Diode Laser Resurfacing vs. Topical Cysteamine Alone in the Treatment of Melasma: A Prospective, Split-Face Cohort Study.     
  • 560 NEW Members from 35 countries around the world, continuing our place as the world’s premier skin of color dermatology organization.
  • Expanded our Dermatology E-learning +Equity Platform (DEEP) to include exciting new online educational content and new Meeting/Community groups within the platform.
  • 100 articles in the media featured SOCS members addressing dermatologic and healthcare issues of importance to patients of color and society.

SERVING CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS WITH EXCELLENCE

  • The Pfizer Regional Networking & Educational Symposia restarted in person with two well-attended programs hosted by Valerie Harvey, MD, MPH, FAAD in Williamsburg, Virginia and Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD in Chicago, Illinois.
  • A new SOCS Past Presidents Council was formed.
  • Our social media platforms continue to grow robustly. Connect with us: @SkinofColorSociety on Instagram and Facebook and @SkinofColor on Twitter.

We celebrate all that has brought us here and look forward with great anticipation to the road ahead!

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    Did You Know

    Skin of color patients comprise the majority in California, New Mexico and Texas…and soon will be the majority in Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, New York and Florida.

    By 2042, more than 50% of the US population will have skin of color.