Do you have a passion for skin of color? Is connecting with leaders in the field something that interests you?

The Skin of Color Society (SOCS) mentorship program is a comprehensive program that connects young physicians with an approved skin of color expert from SOCS. Mentoring will be provided for up to one year.

Application Timeline:

Application Available: August 1
Application Deadline: November 1
Applications past the deadline will not be accepted due to high interest in the program.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE A MENTEE?

• Participants must be existing members of SOCS

AND

• Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 Medical Students, or
• Dermatology residents, fellows/young dermatologists who completed residency no more than 3 years ago.
  
• Applicants matched with a mentor are required to be a member in good standing throughout the mentorship program period i.e. from application process until completion of the mentorship. Good standing means the mentee must pay membership dues in the year they are applying as well as the timeframe in which they are receiving mentorship.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE A MENTOR?

• Participants must be existing members of SOCS

AND

• Practicing Dermatologists, or Dermatology residents​
• Residents may serve as both a mentor (to medical students) AND as a mentee (matched with a practicing dermatologist). 

PARTICIPATION INVOLVEMENT REQUIREMENTS?

• An annual meeting with your mentor at the Skin of Color Symposium
• 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
• Participating in a short survey in August and February each year on your mentorship program experience
• Formal mentorship program will last one year. Applicants may reapply each year to be reassigned a mentor based on availability.

MENTOR-MENTEE BENEFITS

• Build positive working relationships
• Acquire and share new knowledge and skills in skin of color
• Collaborate in research opportunities in skin of color
• Enjoy networking opportunities with other skin of color experts

HOW ARE MENTORS ALLOCATED?

Young physicians can identify an approved mentor with whom they would like to connect or an approved mentor can be allocated by SOCS.

I WANT TO GET INVOLVED! WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

Complete the application form and include the required documents (see application form for details). Mentee application deadline is November 1.

 Applications will be reviewed by the Mentorship Committee and the Mentorship matches will be announced in the first quarter of 2024. 

Due to high interest in the program, SOCS may not be able to match every mentee applicant with a mentor.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Eva Kerby, MD and Neelam Khan, MD
2023-2024 SOCS Mentorship Co-Chairs
SOCS Headquarters
1932 S. Halsted St., Suite 413
Chicago, IL 60608 USA
info@skinofcolorsociety.org