Diversity/Inclusion in Residency Training

Our program educates trainees on cultural awareness, trains residents in dermatologic conditions in hair and skin of color, provides dermatologic care to marginalized populations, and mentors minority students of different educational levels.  We offer additional resources to residents who are underrepresented minorities in medicine and/or financially disadvantaged.

Equity Track

We are thrilled to offer residents the opportunity to elect into our Equity Track, beginning July 2022. This track is a collaboration between the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Program and the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at Harvard and allows our residents to complete dermatology residency training and obtain a Masters in Public Health or Public Administration in 3.25 years. The Commonwealth fellowship is a one year program that facilitates an MPH at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health or MPA at the Harvard Kennedy School with additional mentoring, forums and practicum project in health care delivery systems, minority health, and health policy. We are grateful to Dr. Joan Reede, Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership at the Harvard Medical School, for her partnership in this exciting new opportunity for our trainees.  Please find more information about our Equity Track here.

Didactic Curriculum

Cultural awareness series: Faculty led lectures that explore topics such as cultural competency, caring for individuals of different backgrounds, and recognizing and addressing biases in medicine. 

Skin/hair of color series: Faculty led lectures that focus on the diagnosis and management of dermatologic conditions more prevalent in persons of color.

Quarterly Educational Series on Racism and Social Justice in Medicine for faculty, residents and staff

Clinical Curriculum

• Barbara McInnis House/Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program: Outpatient and inpatient dermatologic care of patients experiencing homelessness.

• BIDMC Skin of Color Clinic

• Boston Children's Hospital Pediatric Dermatology Student Run Clinic: Monthly access clinic for underinsured children staffed by Harvard medical students, dermatology residents and BCH faculty

• BWH Cutaneous Sarcoidosis and Granulomatous Diseases Clinic  

• BWH Skin of Color Dermatology Program: Dermatology care to patients with darker skin, including patients of Asian, African American, Arab and Hispanic backgrounds. 

• BWH Vitiligo Clinic

• Cambridge Health Alliance: Dermatology care in a neighborhood clinic setting with an ethnically and racially diverse population. 

• Fenway Health Center: Dermatology care with an emphasis on the care of members of the LGBTQ community. 

• Hansen Clinic at Lahey: Clinic focused on the care of patients with leprosy 

• MGH Multi-Ethnic Skin and Pigmentary clinic: Clinic addressing the unique needs of patients with pigmentary disorders and darker skin tones. 

• MGH Multi-Ethnic Skin Laser Clinic: Laser and procedural clinic addressing the unique needs of patients with pigmentary disorders and darker skin tones. 

• MGH Chelsea Health Center and BIDMC Chelsea: Dermatology care in a neighborhood clinic setting with an ethnically diverse population. 

• VA Clinic, West Roxbury: Outpatient and inpatient care of veterans. 

Extracurricular Offerings

BIDMC Cosmetic and Laser Experience: Led by Drs. Erica Dommasch and Leah Chung, residents have the opportunity to participate in a 6-session series in BIDMC’s Chestnut Hill office, consisting of a short lecture, followed by hands-on experience for residents to practice cosmetic and/or laser procedures on each other. This curriculum will focus on how to treat different skin types and manage associated complications. The sessions will be taught in an alternating fashion with Dr. Chung focusing on the skin of color and Dr. Dommasch focusing on the skin types I-II. The first session of this curriculum will begin on March 10th.

Outreach Opportunities

• AAD SPOTT Skin Cancer Screening:  A number of skin screening clinics are coordinated throughout the year, geared toward providing this service to underserved and diverse populations. 

• Navajo Reservation, Shiprock NM:  One to two-week clinical experience providing dermatological care to this underserved population. 

• Project Phoenix: Pro bono tattoo removal for individuals leaving gang culture. 

• Telehealth at Cambridge Health Alliance

• Telehealth at Nantucket Cottage Hospital