About SOCS

Our Committees

2023-2024 Committees & Purpose

Committee Code of Conduct

  • This committee provides strategic advice, counsel and recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding representation of society’s need for quality dermatologic care for people who have skin of color; current and emerging public policy issues impacting the provision of that care; and advancing the profession of skin of color dermatology in appropriate venues including legislative and regulatory arenas.
  • Maintain the Society’s bylaws, which is the set of rules that guide its operations and activities.
  • To develop the resources of the Society.
  • At the 2016 SOCS annual meeting, the Diversity in Action Task Force was initiated with a primary goal to build supportive networks and resources to increase the number individuals who are underrepresented in dermatology.
  • The DiCR mentoring task force will help develop resources and mentorship opportunities to increase the pipeline of potential underrepresented minority investigators.
  • Support the execution of proceeding and post summit activities from the Meeting the Challenge Summit: Diversity in Dermatology Clinical Trials, that took place on June 10-11, 2022, in Washington, DC, and to organize the defining race and ethnicity in dermatology round table for 2023.
  • This highly visible committee will work in conjunction with the Derm Foundation and other collaborative partners to help secure financial resources, evaluate grant applications, and award DEI focused mid-career awards.
  • Oversee SOCS finances, reserve fund and investment policy, making recommendations to the Board.
  • This committee will work to help secure financial resources, evaluate grant applications, and award Institutional Research Fellowship grants which will support Fellowships for physicians of color, who are disproportionately underrepresented in dermatology and medicine.
  • SOCS is considering launching a journal and enlisting a consulting firm/consultant that specializes in journal feasibility work to investigate further after strategic planning. This Task Force will oversee this process.
  • Increase publication opportunities
  • Review and vet membership applications prior to them going to the Board for approval.
  • Responsible for encouraging new international membership through national groups and international mentoring programs.
  • Invite Board Certified Dermatologists to join SOCS via AAD and APD
  • Evaluate member benefits program
  • Comprehensive program that connects young physicians with an approved expert from SOCS.
  • Professional development meetings (in-person or virtual) 3 to 4 times per year to discuss goal-setting, practical ways to increase knowledge in skin of color and more.
  • Develop/establish leadership training programs
  • Evaluate proposals from international and national organizations interested in collaborating with SOCS.
  • Expand relationships with non-Derm groups
  • Improve relationships with other professional societies that embrace SOCS’s mission/vision
  • Establish formal relationships and programming with other professional societies that share SOCS’s mission/vision
  • To determine candidates for board positions.
  • To provide educational materials for individuals with skin of color.
  • Develop content on the SOCS website and within its LMS (DEEP) to enhance understanding of the importance of Board Certified Derm and skin of color experience.
  • Create public awareness campaigns to educate the public.
  • Revise the SOCS LMS (DEEP) so it has public/patient content.
  • Collaborate with patient advocacy groups.
  • The Skin of Color Society Physician Education Committee will be dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and expertise of healthcare professionals in the field of SOC dermatology with a specific focus on the unique and diverse needs of patients with skin of color. 
  • The Committee will evaluate Medical Education Companies (MEC) proposals, develop physician-focused website content, curate DEEP topics and educational video content, and provide input on aspirational ideas for new initiatives to educate the Physician audience that empower dermatologists to deliver the highest standard of care for individuals with skin of color.   
  • The Committee would collaborate with other SOCS committees to develop relevant physician-focused content alongside other key SOCS program
  • Purpose: Comprised of former SOCS board presidents, the Presidents’ Council complements and supports the work of the SOCS Board of Directors. The Council may advise the current President on issues facing the association or related to its future activities. The Council is intended to take advantage of the expertise and experiences of SOCS former leaders as well as ensure a valuable link to the organization’s institutional memory.
  • To advance scientific study and promote investigative research of skin of color in the basic sciences, as well as in the clinical, surgical and cosmetic areas.
  • To compile a database of Society members interested in conducting research.
  • To form liaisons with industry to promote research on issues related to skin of color.
  • To organize and execute an annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium prior to the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting.
  • To compile a database of Society members interested in conducting research.
  • To promote the education of physicians, residents, and non-physician scientists in the unique properties, reaction patterns, and diseases that occur in individuals with skin of color, by encouraging courses in skin of color and other related topics at scientific meetings and dermatology training programs.
  • To inform Society members of meetings with subjects pertaining to skin of color.
  • To promote the exchange of information and ideas concerning skin of color.

To contribute to and oversee the following media and public-facing initiatives:     

  • Ongoing media relations and the Annual SOCS Media Day
  • SOCS Speaks initiative
  • SOCS website
  • SOCS social media channels 
  • SOCS branding
  • Conduct an ongoing comprehensive assessment of the various proposals submitted by external organizations with the goal of creating or expanding the use of skin of color images and/or collaborate on the development of a SOC database, while also actively fostering connections to enhance representation in medical textbooks and patient education materials, such as patient pamphlets. Furthermore, assess the utilization of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the context of skin of color (SOC) images.
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    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.