Skin of Color Savvy—A New Generation of Dermatology Leadership, With Umayr Shaikh, MPH

Welcome to Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color!

In the latest ‘Savvy Stories’ episode of Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color, hosted by Skin of Color Society (SOCS) leaders and produced by HCPLive, Umayr Shaikh, MPH, an MD candidate at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, discussed his journey into medicine, his passion for dermatology, and the ways public health continues to shape his approach to research, advocacy, and patient care.

Shaikh reflected on an unconventional path to medicine that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. After studying communications and Spanish at Butler University, he volunteered at a free clinic in Indiana, where he discovered a passion for healthcare while assisting patients and serving as an interpreter. Wanting to bridge medicine with broader population-level issues, he pursued a Master of Public Health at Dartmouth College, an experience that ultimately cemented his interest in dermatology and healthcare access.

A formative public health project during graduate school played a particularly important role in shaping his career goals. While working with communities in rural New Hampshire, Shaikh and his team sought to understand disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates. Through conversations with local residents and public health officials, he observed how limited healthcare infrastructure and transportation barriers affected access to specialty care. One concern repeatedly raised by community members was the burden of skin cancer and the lack of dermatologic services available to them. For Shaikh, that experience highlighted the powerful intersection between dermatology and public health and inspired a long-term commitment to addressing healthcare disparities.

The discussion also focused on Shaikh’s award-winning research presented at the Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium.¹ Conducted during his research year with the University of Pennsylvania Department of Dermatologic Oncology, the project examined racial disparities among patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery for acral lentiginous melanoma, a melanoma subtype that disproportionately affects patients of color. Shaikh explained that his team found patients of color presented with more advanced disease, including larger surgical defects and greater tumor depth at diagnosis, compared with non-Hispanic White patients. While outcomes following Mohs surgery were comparable between groups, the findings underscored persistent disparities in disease presentation and highlighted opportunities for earlier diagnosis, improved referral pathways, and increased clinician education.

Throughout the conversation, Shaikh emphasized that many of his research interests stem from a desire to understand how social, geographic, and structural factors influence dermatologic outcomes. He pointed to skin of color research, rural health, patient education, and healthcare accessibility as areas where additional investigation is needed. In particular, he noted the importance of studying the intersection of skin of color and rural medicine, arguing that diverse populations are often overlooked in conversations about rural healthcare disparities.

A recurring theme of the episode was the importance of translating research findings into meaningful action. Drawing on advice from one of his mentors, Shaikh shared a philosophy that has guided much of his work: research should ultimately be conducted to change behavior. He argued that identifying disparities is only the first step; researchers and clinicians must also focus on implementing solutions through advocacy, community engagement, education, and policy efforts.

The conversation also explored mentorship, which Shaikh described as the single most influential factor in his professional development. He credited numerous mentors, including Susan C. Taylor, MD, Avery LaChance, MD, MPH, 2 SOCS leaders, as well as Leah Chung, MD, and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, for helping shape his interests and providing opportunities through the SOCS’s mentorship and observership programs. He described the organization as a career-defining resource that connected him with leaders in dermatology who share his commitment to health equity and skin of color research.

Looking ahead, Shaikh expressed interest in pursuing an academic career that remains deeply connected to the communities it serves. He also shared thoughtful perspectives on artificial intelligence, noting its potential to improve education, research, and patient communication while cautioning against overreliance on technology and highlighting concerns about environmental sustainability.

The episode concluded with a reflection on the value of humor and joy in medicine. Inspired by remarks from Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, Shaikh encouraged future physicians to maintain a sense of humor throughout their careers, emphasizing that laughter, connection, and perspective are essential components of both professional fulfillment and personal well-being.

To learn more about SOCS’s programs and initiatives, visit Skin of Color Society.

Editor’s note: This episode was summarized with the help of AI tools.

References

1. Annual Scientific Symposium. Skin of Color Society. Accessed June 23, 2026. https://skinofcolorsociety.org/what-we-do/education/annual-scientific-symposium.

2. Doctor Profiles. Skin of Color Society. Accessed June 23, 2026. https://skinofcolorsociety.org/events/dr-profiles/ogunleye-temitayo-md.