We are thrilled to see such phenomenal attendance and response to our virtual series addressing “The Impact of Skin Color and Ethnicity on Clinical Diagnosis and Research.” This educational series is collaborative, presented by the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Group, and VisualDx, with in-kind support from Zoom Video Communications.
Media guests from several dozen news outlets gathered with high interest and engagement for the 4th Annual Skin of Color Society Media Day, “Facing the Future.” This info-rich and people-packed event was graciously hosted by Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, in his stylish offices of Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery. The program featured a rotating format so that smaller groups of editorial guests moved through each of the five presentation rooms featuring a pair of SOCS experts on their designated topic.
This year’s theme focused on what’s new and what’s next in skin of color dermatology treatments, trends and emerging tech.
As the Skin of Color Society’s 15th anniversary year draws to a close, we look back on 2019, and proudly say that it has been quite a banner year, with many exciting highlights!
SOCS Networking & Educational Symposium Event Co-Hosts Susan C. Taylor, MD and Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH toast to the 15th Anniversary of the Skin of Color Society and the 20th Anniversary of the Skin of Color Center.
A lively, engaged crowd of longtime Skin of Color Society members, dermatology colleagues from the Skin of Color Center at Mount Sinai-St Luke’s, derm residents and new faces packed the room at the stylish Boulud Sud restaurant near Lincoln Center in late July to celebrate two important milestones in the history and evolution of the field of skin of color dermatology: the 15th anniversary of the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) and the 20th anniversary of the Skin of Color Center (SOCC) at Mount Sinai-St.Luke’s. This special celebratory SOCS Networking & Educational Symposium was graciously co-hosted by Dr. Susan C. Taylor, SOCS Founder (2004) and SOCC Co-Founder (with Dr. Vince DeLeo in 1999), and Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, SOCS Scientific Committee Co-chair and current Director of the SOCC and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai West.
We are always delighted when we see evidence that the field of skin of color dermatology is blossoming and growing! So, as we commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), as well as the 20th anniversary of the Skin of Color Center at Mount. Sinai-St. Luke’s in NYC, we now have yet another cause for celebration over the news that a skin of color dermatology clinic has recently been established at the University of California—San Francisco… and it’s headed up by SOCS member Jenna Lester, MD.
Dr. Lester is a young dermatologist with great vision, a strong sense of purpose and a true passion for helping others. She comes from a family of African American women who have dedicated their lives to medicine: Her grandmother, Ruby Brangman, became a nurse practitioner during the 1970s— one of the first black women in her profession in New York State. A generation later, Dr. Lester’s mother, Sharon Brangman, MD, became a doctor of geriatric medicine. Inspired by these role models, Dr. Lester pursued her own path in dermatology, after completing her undergraduate education at Harvard University, followed by her medical degree from Brown University.