Pathways: Inclusivity in Dermatology

The Pathways program is working to create a more diverse and inclusive specialty by engaging students from Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, which are currently underrepresented in medicine, in programming from high school age through medical school that builds the skills, knowledge, and interest to pursue a career in dermatology. Through scholarship offerings, skills workshops, mentorship programs, and leadership training, the initiative aims to achieve the following over the next five years:

• Increase the number of dermatology residents from Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities from approximately 100 residents to 250 residents by 2027, or by over 150%.

• Increase dermatology program faculty from Black, Latino, and Indigenous backgrounds by 2%.

• Increase Pathways “touch-points” promoting dermatology to Black, Latino, and Indigenous high school, college, and medical school students by 10% each year.

These goals have the potential to substantially reduce barriers to care, as various studies have linked increased diversity in the physician workforce to improved health care and outcomes for people of color. According to “Increasing racial and ethnic diversity in dermatology: A call to action,” a study published in JAAD, diversity in the physician workforce improves outcomes not only for people of color, but for all patients. Studies also reveal that physicians of color are more likely to see non-white patients and provide a disproportionate share of care to underserved populations. This strongly suggests that increasing the number of practicing dermatologists from these populations can help reduce health care disparities. But according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, in 2020, just 65 of the 796 applicants for dermatology residencies were Black or African American, and only 39 were Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin.