A small light in a dark room
Seeking equality, equity, and justice for all. Patricia A. Treadwell, MD, FAAD, presented the John Kenney Jr., MD Lifetime Achievement Award and Lectureship.
Patricia A. Treadwell, MD, FAAD, the John Kenney Jr., MD Lifetime Achievement Award and Lectureship presenter, provided a roadmap of strategies to help dermatologists make a difference in their day-to-day work. During Sunday’s P151 – Plenary session, Dr. Treadwell broke down her personal view of equality, equity, and justice. She said equality means providing the same support for everyone; equity is everyone getting the support they need; while justice is removing the obstacles that make support necessary.
“I think diversity, which often gets a bad rap, refers to the diversity of thinking,” she said. “That includes looking at the way you have always done things through the lens of skin of color patients.”
Take action
So, what else can individual dermatologists do?
Practicing dermatologists can offer underrepresented in medicine students encouragement, precepting opportunities, and mentoring. She recommended the Skin of Color Society as an association that could assist with mentorship, research, and networking efforts.
She also cited the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, which was formed in 2020, to actively pursue diversity strategies. Their strategies included showing diversity in patient handouts including skin of color, Down syndrome, and the LGBTQ community. “Translating handouts into other languages also increases cultural competency,” she said.
“Melanin matters,” she said. According to the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau, Black individuals comprised 13.6% and Latino individuals made up 19.1% of the U.S. population.
Yet, ethnic diversity is non-existent in dermatology textbooks, she said, with 85.1% to 93% of images featuring identifiably white skin. According to Dr. Treadwell, this can result in delayed or missed diagnosis.
Apply your knowledge
“If you are contributing to textbooks, be sure to include different skin types,” she said.
“Thinking again about us being service leaders and decreasing issues with health equity,” she encouraged each practice to see a few underinsured or uninsured patients and volunteer at county hospital clinics.
Dr. Treadwill concluded with a poignant, inspirational quote from Dutch writer Miep Gies, who helped hide Anne Frank and her family: “But even an ordinary secretary or a housewife or a teenager can, within their own small way, turn on a small light in a dark room.”
