High-interest presentations covered AI in Dermatology, Dermoscopy in Scarring Alopecia, Physician Leadership in Advancing Equity, Aesthetics in Skin of Color, Keloids, Pigmentary Disorders, Diagnostic Bias and other topics relevant to patients of color

CHICAGO /PRNewswire/ — The Skin of Color Society, (SOCS), the world’s leading professional organization dedicated to advancing skin of color dermatology through research, education, mentorship and advocacy, successfully presented its 18th Annual Scientific Symposium to a record number of attendees on March 24, 2022, held in conjunction with the American Academy of Dermatology’s Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

Skin of Color Society 2021-2022 Executive Committee at the 18th Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium (l-r): Candrice Heath, MD, FAAD, Secretary-Treasurer; Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD, FAAD, Immediate Past President; Valerie Harvey, MD, MPH, FAAD, President-elect, and Donald A. Glass II, MD, PhD, FAAD, President.

This year’s SOCS Scientific Symposium was co-chaired by Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD, Professor of Clinical Dermatology, Vice-Chair for Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Ginette A. Okoye, MD, FAAD, Professor and Chair of Dermatology, Howard University College of Medicine. Themed “Diversity in Action: Science, Healthcare & Society,” the Symposium kicked off the Society’s year-long theme for programming.

Representing 14 countries, the huge audience included physicians with an interest in skin of color, dermatology residents, fellows, medical students, researchers and industry professionals, who gained insights from invited speakers, interactive panels, oral abstract presentations and iPosters.

In keeping with the SOCS tradition of showcasing the work of up-and-coming researchers and young dermatologists, as well as world-renowned experts in the field, this well-rounded program featured the following high-interest sessions:Invited Speakers

Interactive Panels

Abstract Presentations

Dr. Donald A. Glass II, SOCS President (2021-2022), offered closing remarks with appreciation for his presidential year and welcomed incoming SOCS President, Valerie Harvey, MD, MPH, FAAD.

Following the program, attendees viewed a record number of scientific iPosters on display, totaling 107 iPosters on a wide range of topics. 

Immediately after the Symposium, an awards reception honored recipients of the 2022 SOCS Research and SOCS Career Development Awards, including:

The 2022 SOCS Research Awards and SOCS Career Development Award are made possible thanks to support from Pfizer.

The 18th Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium was supported by the following sponsors: Abbvie, Janssen, and Sanofi/Regeneron, (Champion Level); Bristol Myers Squibb, Dove, Lilly, Google Health, and Incyte Dermatology, (Ally Level); Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Beiersdorf, Dermavant Sciences, Ortho Dermatologics, P & G, and Scientis, (Partner Level); Burt’s Bees, Clinique, Senté Labs, UCB, and ZO® Skin Health, (Friend Level), and special acknowledgement to Dermstore, EltaMD, Hairstim, Pfizer, Revision Skincare, SkinCeuticals, SkinMedica, and Urban Skin Rx.

A recording of the SOCS Scientific Symposium will become available through the SOCS Dermatology E-Learning + Equity Platform (DEEP) in the near future.About the Skin of Color Society

The Skin of Color Society (SOCS) is an international professional dermatologic organization dedicated to achieving health equity and excellence in patient care through research, education, mentorship and advocacy. SOCS is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the field of dermatology to advance patient care. Established in 2004 by Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, SOCS has grown to include members from numerous countries around the world.

SOURCE Skin of Color Society