April 25, 2023 2023 CDS DURM Mentorship ProgramThe Board of Directors of the Chicago Dermatological Society announces the Mentees for its 2023 DURM Mentorships.Medical students from diverse backgrounds identify a lack of access to adequate mentoring as a major challenge when facing career decisions. The individuals who responded demonstrated a strong interest in dermatology and were from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine. The mentorship program, now in its second year, runs from June 1 – 30, 2023 and will involve clinical sessions with Mentors and informal sessions with near-peer Advisors.
These Mentorships provide shadowing and experiential learning opportunities, interacting with positive role models, developing communication skills, and acquiring insights into dermatology and its subspecialties. Working with Mentors in their private practices, mentees experience a range of medical, cosmetic, and surgical procedures. They also learn more about diagnosing and treating diseases with patients of color. Working more informally with Advisors, mentees discuss career strategies for applying for postgraduate opportunities, health equity, advocacy, and other topics. The applications were thoughtfully considered by an independent panel of five medical professionals from a strong field of individuals from around the country. Members of the Selection Committee included: Dr. Stavonnie Patterson; Dr. Julia Mhlaba Riley; Dr. Sreya Talasila; Dr. Carla Sanchez-Palacios; and Dr. Rithu Srikantha. Dr. Jordan C. Carqueville is Chair of the CDS Mentorship Committee and a non-voting member.
The Applications were scored in six categories: Letter of Reference, Academics/Essays, Leadership/Extracurricular, Research/Scholarly Activity, Need/Fit, and Overall Score. Committee members expressed their enthusiasm for the qualified, dedicated, and passionate medical students who made up this year’s applicant pool.
The Committee was inspired by their personal essays of obstacles faced and challenges overcome. They were encouraged when the applicants wrote with conviction about addressing health inequities in the U.S, supporting global health initiatives, contributing to research and education, and providing excellent care to all patients, including the disadvantaged, people of color, and those from the LGBTQ+ communities. Many presented significant work history, publications, leadership, and volunteer experience. All applicants were urged to continue their drive to succeed and make a significant contribution through their medical careers.
The following five individuals were selected for participation in the 2023 CDS DURM Mentorships:
Brenda Abreu Molnar, Chicago, IL and affiliated with FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL
Precious Anurika Anyanwu, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Daniel R. Bamrick-Fernandez, University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School & McCombs School of Business, Austin, TX Damilola Oladinni, Chicago, IL and affiliated with A.T. Still University SOMA, Mesa, AZ
Jesutofunmi A. Omiye, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Five were named as Alternates/Finalists, including:
Faradia Kernizan, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans LA Ahmed Ibrahim, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Abel Woldu, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN Jahleel Perrin, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL Jandolyn Washington, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Chicago Dermatological Society is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1901. Its President is Dr. Joerg Albrecht and its Vice President is Dr. Wendy Kim. Dr. Stavonnie Patterson is Chair of its DEI Committee. The purpose of CDS is to educate its members and guests (medical residents and students) in dermatology and its subspecialities, and to promote excellence in patient care, adherence to a high level of ethical conduct and professionalism, dermatology related research, a spirit of community among its members, and a public interest relating to dermatology. Call for Applications is now closedCDS Dermatology Mentorships for Medical Students Underrepresented in MedicineThe Board of Directors of the Chicago Dermatological Society recently announced a National Call for Applications for current U.S. medical students who have completed First Year M1 Modules. This four-week Mentorship Program for four Mentees will take place in Chicago from June 1 – 30, 2023. Medical students from diverse backgrounds identify a lack of access to adequate mentoring as a major challenge when facing career decisions. Applicants with a strong interest in dermatology and from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine are encouraged to apply. These Mentorships provide shadowing and experiential learning opportunities, interacting with positive role models, developing communication skills, and acquiring insights into dermatology and its subspecialties. Working with Mentors in their practices, mentees will experience a range of medical, cosmetic, and surgical procedures. Working more informally with Advisors, mentees will discuss career strategies for applying for postgraduate opportunities, health equity, advocacy, and diagnosing and treating diseases with patients of color, among other topics. For this Call for Applications, we used the acronym DURM (Dermatology Underrepresented in Medicine) and its broad definitions. “Underrepresented in medicine means those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their number in the general population.” This lens currently includes students who identify as African American and/or Black, Hispanic/Latino, Puerto Rican, and Native American (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians). To this definition, we add medical students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who identify as members of the LGBTQ Community. The American Medical Association is confronting inequity at the system and community level to bring health equity to marginalized and minoritized communities in the U.S. As a key part of its DEI initiatives, the AMA has identified workplace diversity as a key goal. “Dermatology is one of the most competitive and least diverse specialties in medicine. Diversity in the physician workforce improves outcomes not only for people of color but for all patients.”
– Dr. Jordan C. Carqueville
Each Participant will receive an honorarium of $2,000. Applicants living out of state will receive an additional honorarium to cover travel, local transportation, and housing costs. The pilot program began in 2022 and was funded from the proceeds of CDS’s “The Art of Skin Gala” which was held on June 10, 2022. Proceeds from this gala will fund five additional years of this mentorship program. Mentees will be selected by an independent panel of medical professionals. The American Academy of Dermatology documented the Chicago Dermatological Society’s efforts with the inaugural Art of Skin Gala and the first year of the DURM Mentorship Program. Access the AAD’s recap video through this link.The Mentees for 2022 Were:
L to R: Ekpunobi, Onyekonwu, Henderson, Brady
Three individuals were named as Finalists: Chicago Dermatological Society is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1901. The purpose of CDS is to: educate its members and guests (medical residents and students) in dermatology and its subspecialties; promote excellence in patient care; adhere to a high level of ethical conduct and professionalism; promote dermatology-related research; create a spirit of community among its members; and encourage a public interest relating to dermatology. Joerg Albrecht, MD Jordan C. Carqueville, MD Stavonnie Patterson, MD For further information, please contact Tracy Schorle, CDS Executive Director
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