Skin of Color Savvy: Mentorship in Dermatology—Building the Next Generation of Leaders

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

Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, joined host Jessica Mercer, MD, co-managing owner of Georgia Dermatology Partners near Atlanta, Georgia, on Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color, to discuss how mentorship shapes careers and improves care for patients with skin of color.

The podcast is produced by HCPLive and hosted by Skin of Color Society (SOCS) leaders. Alexis, who has mentored Mercer since early in her career, said mentorship offers guidance, support, and inspiration most physicians rely on. He explained that observing a mentor's clinical approach can spark interest in specific areas of dermatology, pointing to Mercer's path toward hair and pigmentary disorders as an example of how early exposure through mentorship can shape a lasting career focus.

How Should Mentees Approach the Mentor-Mentee Relationship?

Alexis advised mentees to fully immerse themselves in the experience rather than limiting engagement to scheduled clinical hours. He said valuable learning often occurs during informal moments after patients leave for the day, when mentors may be reviewing charts or handling administrative tasks, providing space for relaxed conversation and reflection. Mercer agreed, noting that mentees benefit from establishing clear goals with mentors at the outset of the relationship.

Does Mentorship Improve Outcomes for Patients With Skin of Color?

Alexis said mentorship can directly benefit patients with skin of color, particularly given inconsistent training exposure to conditions such as pigmentary disorders, keloids, and hair and scalp disorders across different programs. He explained that mentorship allows trainees to supplement textbook knowledge with real-world clinical experience, helping close training gaps that persist in the literature on skin of color dermatology.¹

Mercer reflected on her own path, crediting mentors including David Peng, MD, at the University of Southern California and Charles McDonald, MD, at Brown University for shaping her career, including her decision to pursue dermatopathology. She said she now mentors students and staff in her practice, several of whom have gone on to medical school or physician assistant programs, describing mentorship as a legacy that continues to expand equitable care in dermatology.

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. Alexis and Mercer had no relevant disclosures of note.

References

1. Perlman KL, Williams NM, Park JH, et al. Skin of color lacks representation in medical student resources: A cross-sectional study. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021 Jan 8;7(2):195-196. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.12.018. PMID: 33937492; PMCID: PMC8072497.