Committee Corner: The SOCS Professional Education Committee
Dr. Morayo Adisa (left) and Dr. Mona Shahriari, Co-chairs, SOCS Professional Education Committee
For this month’s Committee Corner, we are pleased to feature the SOCS Professional Education Committee, co-chaired by Drs. Morayo Adisa and Mona Shahriari.
This active and important committee is dedicated to advancing the knowledge and expertise of healthcare professionals in skin of color dermatology, with a particular focus on meeting the unique and diverse needs of patients with skin of color.
Formerly known as the Physician Education Committee, the Professional Education Committee is primarily focused on three key areas:
- Evaluating Medical Education Companies (MECs)
- Developing clinician-focused content for the website and other SOCS channels
- Overseeing clinical content for the SOCS podcast, Skin of Color Savvy
Meet the Co-chairs
Dr. Morayo Adisa is Medical Director, Dermatology Physicians SC, Chicago and Kenilworth, Illinois.
Dr. Mona Shahriari is Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, Associate Director of Clinical Trials CCD Research, and Founding Partner, Central CT Dermatology.
As Drs. Adisa and Shahriari jointly share, “Our vision for the coming year is clear: to make the Skin of Color Society the premier, gold-standard destination for all educational content related to skin of color. This year, we’re focused on strengthening our digital presence by significantly enhancing the educational offerings on the SOCS website—curating content that is not only evidence-based but also practical, relevant, and reflective of real-world clinical challenges.”
In addition to reviewing educational proposals from Medical Education Companies (MECs) to ensure quality and alignment with our values, this committee collaborates across other SOCS committees to bring forward innovative programming through The Exchange x SOCS and the Skin of Color Savvy podcast.
From the co-chairs’ perspectives, “Our aim isn’t just to inform—but to lead. That means contributing not only trusted clinical content, but also novel, forward-thinking material you won’t find anywhere else. We also recognize the importance of raising awareness about SOCS as a go-to resource and will continue to prioritize dissemination of our work and the broader mission of the organization. By working hand-in-hand with our fellow SOCS committees, we’re building a foundation of educational excellence that supports clinicians and ultimately improves care for patients of color. As co-chairs, our goal is to foster a learning environment where culturally competent care is not just emphasized—but expected. This work is personal, purposeful, and necessary.”
Call to Action
Drs. Adisa and Shahriari invite all SOCS members to engage with the committee’s educational offerings, share their expertise, and collaborate on future programming. Whether through speaking opportunities, mentorship, or resource development, your voice helps shape the next generation of leaders in skin of color dermatology.
SOCS members are encouraged to invite others to join the conversation—especially trainees, residents and fellows. By introducing them to the Society’s abundant resources early, we can ensure this content continues to serve as a trusted foundation throughout their careers. Our shared goal is to create a lasting, evolving educational platform that not only meets the needs of today’s clinicians, but also inspires and equips those of tomorrow.