The Skin Diversity Learning Series: Expanding Perspectives in Dermatology
September – December 2021
The program will address knowledge gaps in providing optimal care to diverse skin types and tones for certified Canadian dermatologists. With Canada’s sizeable and growing multicultural population, dermatologists are looking to expand and update their knowledge of diverse skin, so that all patients receive representative, appropriate care. This is part of the CDA’s commitment to take action on understanding issues affecting Canadians of all ethnicities, and being part of the solution to ensure equitable access to care as outlined in the CDA’s Statement on Diversity & Inclusion.
This successful series has now come to an end. Recording links are available below.
September 23
Skin Spectrum: Understanding all aspects of skin colour
Speaker: Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD, Assistant Professor, University of Southern California
Learning objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Appreciate dermatologic similarities and differences across the skin spectrum.
- Define normal dermatologic findings in skin of colour.
- Explain how variations in skin tone can alter disease presentations.
Dr. Elbuluk is the founder and director of the USC Skin of Color Center and Pigmentary Disorders Clinic and also serves as the Director of the Dermatology Diversity and Inclusion Program. Dr. Elbuluk’s clinical and research interests include general medical and cosmetic dermatology, ethnic skin conditions, and pigmentary disorders including vitiligo, melasma, and post inflammatory pigmentation. She is passionate about teaching and advancing the field of dermatology through research on pigmentary disorders and ethnic skin conditions.
October 7
Textured hair and hair loss in people of colour
Speaker: Crystal Aguh, MD, FAAD, Assistant Professor Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Learning objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the structural differences of textured hair.
- Cite further considerations when diagnosing hair loss in people of colour.
- Advise and guide patients on ways to best care and manage textured hair.
Dr. Crystal Aguh is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr Aguh’s area of research focuses primarily on skin conditions that disproportionately impact minority populations, with particular emphasis on cicatricial alopecia. She has authored two books on hair loss and has published over two dozen peer-reviewed journal articles and given multiple national and international talks. As a result of her work, Dr. Aguh is the recipient of numerous prestigious research awards & grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Skin of Color Society, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, the Dermatology Foundation, and as a 40 under 40 Leaders in Minority Health award recipient.
November 4
Common skin and nail conditions
Speaker: Yvette Miller-Monthrope, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
Learning objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Appreciate the differences in clinical presentations of common skin conditions across the skin spectrum.
- Recognize manifestation differences in common nail conditions that can be found in dark skin tones.
- Integrate diagnostic pearls and practical tips into the management of skin and nail conditions commonly seen in skin of colour.
Dr. Miller-Monthrope is an academic Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist. She completed medical school, and residency training in both dermatology and anatomical pathology at the University of Toronto. After completing her first residency in dermatology, she practiced medical dermatology at Women’s College Hospital while completing a Master’s degree in Education. Dr. Miller Monthrope has special interests in curriculum development, resident education, clinical-pathological correlation, inflammatory dermatoses and diverse skin types. She currently splits her time between her medical dermatology practice at Women’s College Hospital and her dermatopathology practice at Unity Health (St. Michael’s Hospital & St. Joseph’s Health Centre). At all sites she is involved in medical student and residency education. Dr. Miller-Monthrope is also a busy mom of three small kids.
November 18
Pediatric dermatology and issues specific to dark skin tones
Speaker: Marissa Joseph, MSc, MD, FRCPC ( Pediatrics), FRCPC ( Dermatology), University of Toronto
Learning objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Approach common pediatric conditions seen in skin of colour patients.
- Better recognize disease manifestation differences in dark skin tones.
- Apply management pearls and diagnostic techniques applicable for this age group.
Dr. Joseph is full time academic faculty at the University of Toronto. She has received and has been nominated for teaching awards in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Dr. Joseph is the Medical Director of the Ricky Kanee Schachter Dermatology Centre at Women’s College Hospital. She also works at the Hospital For Sick Children where she manages children with complex dermatologic disease in outpatient and inpatient settings, as well as a pediatric laser treatment program. Dr. Joseph enjoys her diverse practice in general adult, pediatric and surgical dermatology. Her clinical and research interests include inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa; genodermatoses, and equity, diversity and inclusivity.
December 2
Aesthetic dermatology in dark skin tones
Speaker: Douglas Wu, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FAAD
Learning objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Better understand aesthetic medicine options and results possible in skin of colour.
- Identify aesthetic medicine procedures that should not be performed on skin of colour.
- Assess ways to manage procedural complications including those performed by others.
Dr. Douglas C. Wu is a double Board-Certified dermatologist in both Canada and the USA with specialty training in Cosmetic Surgery via the prestigious American Society of Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship program. He contributions to the fields of aesthetic medicine include work in advancing photorejuvenation, laser resurfacing, laser tattoo removal, injectable technique, liposculpture, non-invasive body contouring, and skin tightening. He has authored numerous medical articles and textbook chapters, and lectures at major conferences across the globe. Dr. Wu utilizes cutting edge techniques to develop uniquely tailored treatments designed to address the specific needs of his patients.
December 16
Skin cancer and sunscreen in dark skin tones
Speaker: Ade Adamson, MD, MPP, Assistant Professor, University of Texas
Learning objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Expand on risk factors associated with skin cancer in skin of colour.
- Appreciate further considerations when checking for skin cancer in dark skin tones.
- Better educate patients on sun protection and the products able to provide optimal protection.
- Incorporate practical tips and techniques when assessing for, and educating patients on, skin cancer.
Dr. Adamson is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. His primary clinical interest is in caring for patients at high risk for melanoma of the skin, such as those with many moles (particularly atypical moles) or a personal and/or family history of melanoma.
Adamson’s research involves understanding patterns of health care utilization including overuse and underuse in dermatology. He is interested in how effectively and efficiently the health care system delivers care to patients with skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States. He is passionate about health care disparities, access to specialty health care and health care costs. He speaks nationally about health care quality, value and the application of evidence-based medicine within dermatology.
If you missed a webinar, you may claim 0.5 Section 2 MOC Program credit for viewing the recording. Note, this credit cannot be claimed if you participated in the accredited live session and will be claiming the associated Section 1 credit.
This webinar series was co-developed with Johnson & Johnson Inc. and was planned to achieve scientific integrity, objectivity and balance.