La Roche-Posay and the Women's Dermatologic Society Partner for Inaugural Diversity in Dermatology Fellowship at Howard University

During this year-long fellowship, the fellow will conduct translational and clinical research in addition to participating in Howard University's dermatology clinics and community outreach events.

La Roche-Posay is partnering with the Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS) to sponsor a Fellowship in the Department of Dermatology at Howard University's College of Medicine for UIM medical students. The fellowship was created to support UIM candidates who are seeking additional clinical or research experience in dermatology prior to applying to residency.

Dermatology is one of the most competitive medical specialties. It is also one of the least diverse, only second to orthopedic surgery, where only 3% of dermatologists are Black. Medical students must match with a program to move forward into residency. This Fellowship hopes to increase representation in Dermatology by providing an opportunity to support those students whose application may need to be strengthened. A fellowship of this nature can be a step in securing a spot in dermatology residency programs.

During this year-long fellowship, the fellow will conduct translational and clinical research in addition to participating in Howard University's dermatology clinics and community outreach events. Many Dermatology Fellowship programs are unfunded, which limits the number of people that can participate in them. Even if the candidate has the grades, talent, and drive to become a fellow, they may not have the financial means to support themselves.

The Diversity in Dermatology Fellowship was designed by a committee from the Women's Dermatologic Society, La Roche-Posay, and Howard University to include the following:

• A livable salary that includes a stipend for health insurance
• A grant for the fellow to conduct research in dermatology
• Funding for Howard University's dermatology professors to support the fellow's learning
• A travel stipend for the Fellow to attend match interviews as well as two family visits during the fellowship

This year's Diversity in Dermatology fellow is Chidubem Okeke. Ms. Okeke is a third year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine and Co-President of its Student Dermatology Society. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences and a Minor in Inequality Studies. She is primarily interested in understanding skin diseases that disproportionately affect skin of color patients to help reduce health disparities. Additional research interests include contact dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and diversity and inclusion in medical education. She is co-chair of the Scarring Alopecia Foundation's Journey to Acceptance medical student working group, which offers support resources for those affected by scarring hair loss. As the WDS-La Roche-Posay Dermatology fellow, she is excited to continue pursuing her passions for dermatology research as well as patient education and outreach.

"This inaugural first of its kind, collaborative fellowship is a three-year commitment which promises to prioritize DEI in dermatology. Change comes in the form of action, and that is precisely what this partnership is aiming to accomplish," says Mona Gohara, MD, President, Women's Dermatologic Society and Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine.

The partnership with WDS and La Roche-Posay with Howard University, a historically Black research university, brings together three separate institutions in the industries of academia and organized medicine for a visionary and first-of-its-kind collaboration. 

"I was fortunate enough to receive an academic scholarship to college, which was not something my family could have afforded otherwise. Being able to support funding for an incremental opportunity for a DEI candidate is something I am proud to pay forward. As someone who came from an economically challenged family, it was important for me to include the travel stipend so that this fellow would not have to choose between interviewing at a residency program or flying home to spend the holidays with their family. I have every confidence this program will allow a bright medical student to become an incredible dermatologist," says Tyler Steele, Vice President, Medical & Media Relations, La Roche-Posay.

"I am grateful to the WDS and La Roche-Posay for funding this fellowship. It provides an accessible opportunity for UIM students to obtain research experience, mentorship and networking opportunities at the only dermatology department at an Historically Black University. Although mentoring a fellow is rewarding and enjoyable, the time commitment is often under-appreciated. The structure of this fellowship acknowledges this, and provides funds for protected time for faculty who invest time into the fellow's development," says Ginette A. Okoye, MD FAAD.