Embracing diversity in dermatology: Creation of a culture of equity and inclusion in dermatology

Given the racial injustices, social tragedies, and health care inequities highlighted throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic and in multiple layers of our society over the past year, the implementation of strategies to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become necessary. Medical organizations play a crucial role in setting the stage for physician education, mentorship, research efforts, community knowledge, and advocacy. As dermatologists, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where members have the opportunity to succeed. DEI initiatives serve to provide the greatest quality of care for our patients, inclusive of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. We aim to promote diversity and inclusion within dermatologic organizations and their respective governance structures and programs, improve the quality of dermatological education to encompass conditions across all skin colors, address health inequities, and increase the number of underrepresented minority physicians, both in the field of dermatology and in leadership positions ( American Academy of Dermatology [AAD], 2021 ). By the year 2044, minorities will comprise greater than 50% of the U.S. census. This greater diversity will require better equity and better inclusion. As of yet, the racial diversification seen in the general population has not been reflected in medical schools, particularly more competitive medical specialties, including dermatology. Although Black individuals represent 12.8% and LatinX individuals 16.3% of the U.S. population, only 3% of dermatologists are Black and 4.2% are LatinX ( Henderson et al., 2012 ). According to a 2021 survey of pediatric dermatologists, 2.5% of individuals self-identified as Black and 8.5% identified as Latino ( Pritchett et al., 2018 ). The medical community at large is becoming more and more aware of and addressing this disparity. In dermatology, many organizations, such as the AAD, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), Skin of Color Society (SOCS), Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS), Association of Professors in Dermatology (APD), American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP), and American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS), exist to support dermatologists and subspecialists. Furthermore, the International League of Dermatological Societies works globally as a unifying body of all dermatological organizations. In short, even as a small specialty in the collective house of medicine, dermatology has a plethora of active, robust, and dynamic organizations whose goals are to serve their respective memberships. Our goal is to openly discuss DEI effort s, identify room f or improvement, and acknowledge and encourage historical steps taken by various dermatologic organizations. We hope that this is an opportunity for reflection, understanding, introspection, and growth,