Outreach and Community Advancement in Residency Training

At Harvard Dermatology, we are committed to expanding access to dermatologic care, advancing medical education, and fostering a supportive community where all members can flourish. Through a combination of community service, specialized clinical training, mentorship, and professional development, we aim to equip our residents and faculty with the skills and experiences needed to provide exceptional care across all patient populations.

Together in Medicine (TiM): A Community for Connection & Mentorship

At Harvard Dermatology, we recognize that some residents may have faced structural barriers on their path to medicine or may feel that there are few people like them in our field. Together in Medicine (TiM) is a professional community designed to provide faculty and peer mentorship, networking, and support for any residents who seek a space to navigate these shared experiences.

TiM is open to any residents who:

• Have faced barriers to accessing opportunities in medicine and seek mentorship on career development, leadership, and professional growth. For example:

  -First-generation medical students.

  -Those without a home dermatology program.

   -Residents from areas with limited access to specialty care.

-Those with financial barriers to training opportunities.

• Feel underrepresented in dermatology and would benefit from a structured community to foster connections with peers and faculty.

• Want to build relationships with mentors and colleagues who understand their journey and can provide guidance and support.

Through mentorship pairings and informal gatherings, TiM provides a space for residents to connect, share experiences, and advance their careers. This initiative reflects our program’s commitment to ensuring every resident has access to the support and community they need to thrive.

Expanding Access to Dermatologic Care

Our program is dedicated to ensuring high-quality dermatologic care reaches all patients, particularly those in settings where access to specialty care is limited. Residents have the opportunity to participate in clinical experiences that serve patients facing medical, geographic, or financial barriers to care.

Clinical Engagement in Medically Underserved Communities

• BIDMC Dermatology Access Clinic – A student-run evening clinic providing extended dermatologic visits for patients with limited access to specialty care. Residents mentor medical students while treating patients with interpreter and social work support.

• Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program (Barbara McInnis House) – Residents provide outpatient and inpatient dermatologic care for patients experiencing housing insecurity.

• MGH Chelsea Health Center & BIDMC Chelsea – Community-based dermatology clinics serving linguistically and patient populations from a wide array of cultures in the Greater Boston area.

• Cambridge Health Alliance Dermatology Clinic – A community-based dermatology clinic offering care in a multilingual, neighborhood clinic setting.

• Fenway Health Dermatology Program – Specialized dermatologic care addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ patients and those with specific dermatologic concerns related to gender-affirming care.

• VA Clinic, West Roxbury – Providing outpatient and inpatient dermatologic care for veterans.

• Shiprock Service Unit, Navajo Nation (New Mexico) – A one- to two-week elective rotation providing dermatologic care in a geographically remote medical center serving a population with limited specialty access.

• Vietnam Vascular Anomalies Center – An international collaboration focused on the diagnosis and treatment of vascular anomalies, pigmented birthmarks, and wound care.

• AAD SPOT Skin Cancer Screenings – Annual free skin cancer screening events expanding access to early detection and sun safety education.

Expertise in Skin of Color

The term "Skin of Color" refers not to racial or ethnic groups but rather to a broad range of human skin tones featuring keratinocytes with large and widely distributed melanosomes. These keratinocytes produce skin tones ranging from tan to brown in patients of all racial backgrounds, and they influence the presentation of dermatologic conditions. Skin of Color clinics therefore specialize not in serving particular racial or ethnic groups, but in providing the highest standard of individualized care for patients with these dermatological cellular characteristics.  

Residents receive didactic and hands-on training through the following opportunities:

Specialty Clinics and Training

• BIDMC Skin & Hair Clinic – Focused on pigmentary disorders, hair conditions, and dermatologic care in skin of color.

• BWH Cutaneous Sarcoidosis & Granulomatous Diseases Clinic – Specialized care for sarcoidosis, a condition disproportionately affecting patients with richly pigmented skin.

• BWH Skin of Color Program – A referral-based clinic providing specialized dermatologic care tailored to patients with tan to brown skin tones.

• MGH Pigmentary & Laser Dermatology Clinic – Expertise in treating pigmentary disorders and safely performing laser procedures across all Fitzpatrick skin types.

• BWH Vitiligo Clinic – Providing advanced treatments for vitiligo, with a focus on treatment nuances in tan to brown skin tones.

Didactic & Educational Series

• Skin & Hair Variability Series – Faculty-led lectures focusing on the diagnosis and management of dermatologic conditions that manifest differently in skin of color.

• Patient-Centered Dermatology Series – Educational sessions on best practices for dermatologic care across a wide array of patient backgrounds.

• BIDMC Cosmetic & Laser Experience – A hands-on series covering best practices for treating richly pigmented skin with cosmetic and laser procedures.

• Meeting the Moment - Medicine in Social Context is an educational series that explores how historical, social, and structural factors shape healthcare access, patient outcomes, and medical practice. Through expert lectures and community discussions, this series provides practical insights into addressing systemic challenges, fostering collaborative medical environments, and advancing patient-centered care.

Fostering Community and Professional Development

Harvard Dermatology recognizes that a thriving learning environment is built on strong connections, mentorship, and opportunities for professional growth. We actively cultivate a supportive community where faculty and residents can flourish.

Professional Development & Leadership Opportunities

• Health Policy Leadership Track – A collaboration with the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship, allowing residents to complete dermatology residency while earning a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) or Master’s in Public Administration (MPA).

• Recruitment, Outreach, and Community Advancement Committee (ROCA) – A resident- and faculty-led group dedicated to recruitment, mentorship, and program-wide community-building initiatives.

• Harvard Dermatology Mentorship Programs – Opportunities for residents to receive mentorship from faculty with shared clinical, research, or career interests, as well as mentor medical students interested in dermatology.

Building a Stronger Harvard Dermatology Community

• Resident Social & Wellness Events – Organized gatherings to promote camaraderie and work-life balance, including seasonal outings, small-group dinners, and informal meetups.

• Annual Retreats & Celebrations – Opportunities for residents and faculty to connect outside of the clinical setting, including the annual residency retreat, graduation, and faculty appreciation events.

• Affinity & Interest-Based Gatherings – Residents and faculty are encouraged to connect through shared interests, including journal clubs, advocacy efforts, and informal discussion groups.

A Residency Experience Without Limits

At Harvard Dermatology, we believe that your training should be as expansive and innovative as your ambitions. Whether you are passionate about clinical excellence, health policy, mentorship, education, global health, or research, our program provides the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to help you thrive.