20th Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium Sneak Peek

The Skin of Color Society debuted a new logo ahead of its 20 year anniversary to represent global tones, as SOCS now has members from over 30 countries.

The 20th Annual Skin of Color Society (SOCS) Scientific Symposium kicks off at 11 AM PST today with the theme “Pathways to Equity: Advancing Advocacy, Research, and Clinical Excellence” to celebrate a milestone year for the organization. Today’s symposium, in conjunction with the 2024 American Academy of Dermatology Meeting in San Diego, California, will showcase education on several topics to enhance patient care including melanocyte transplantation, hidradenitis suppurativa, molecular basis of itch in skin of color (SOC), review of challenging clinical cases, and more.

The Agenda

• 11–12:30 PM PST: SOCS & SOCS Foundation Annual General Business Meeting
• 12:45–5:45 PM PST: Scientific Symposium: Pathways to Equity sessions
• 6–9 PM PST: Reception: Celebrating SOCS at 20: Past, Present & Future

Leading Faculty Behind the Sessions

The SOCS president and scientific committee co-chairs have spent the last year planning sessions and showcasing those who have utilized SOCS funding for groundbreaking research to enhance patient care.

Left to right: Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD; Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD; Chere Lucas Anthony, MD, FAAD

Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD, professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, New York, and Dermatology Times Editorial Advisory Board member, currently serves as the SOCS president. Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD, associate professor of clinical dermatology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, is serving as a scientific committee co-chair alongside Chere Lucas Anthony, MD, FAAD, dermatologist at Rendon Center for Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine in Boca Raton, Florida, voluntary faculty at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Keynote Speaker Driving Symposium Theme

Aletha Maybank, MD, MPH

Aletha Maybank, MD, MPH, a distinguished pediatrician, preventive medicine physician, and public health professional, serves as a senior vice president within the American Medical Association (AMA). Holding the role of chief health equity officer, she spearheads the AMA's Center for Health Equity, leaving an indelible mark as a pioneer in embedding equity within the AMA Enterprise and throughout the broader healthcare ecosystem. Maybank is widely recognized as an influential speaker, writer, and expert in the realms of health equity and racial justice.

Through her position, Maybank utilizes her platform to bring attention to injustices within our health systems and across the nation. Her focus extends to advocating for solutions that not only acknowledge the historical context but also align with the principles of honoring ancestors while preserving collective aspirations for rest and joy. Her impactful work has garnered numerous awards, underscoring the significance of her groundbreaking efforts in the pursuit of a more equitable and just healthcare landscape.

Lights, Camera, Celebrate

SOCS drummed up excitement on their social media channels and featured symposium speakers who submitted videos to reflect on the theme of the day: Pathways to Equity and what they are looking forward to. Videos from founding members, SOCS funding recipients, and past leaders of the organization will be presented in-person as attendees reflect on SOCS’ advancement since it was founded 20 years ago by Susan Taylor, MD, professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Angel Byrd, MD, PhD, associate professor at Howard University in Washington, DC, shared that she utilized SOCS funding toensure diverse study populations leading to the data that will be presented in her session “Elucidating the Role of Autoantibodies in Hidradenitis Suppurativa.” Maggi Ahmed, MD, PhD, won a vitiligo research award in 2020 and was invited to present on her research in the session “Melanocyte Transplantation Plus Topical JAK Inhibitor or Tacrolimus for Treatment of Vitiligo: A Randomized Comparative Study.”