Skin of Color Savvy: News Update—Career Journey, SOCS Leadership, & Advice on Mentorship

Welcome to Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color!

In this News Update episode of Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color, produced by HCPLive and the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), the HCPLive team speaks with Nkem Ugonabo, MD, MPH—a New York City–based board-certified dermatologist in private practice and assistant professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine—about her professional journey, clinical passions, and leadership roles within SOCS.

Ugonabo reflects on her path to dermatology, describing the specialty’s unique combination of hands-on procedural work and the blend of art and science, particularly in cosmetic and laser dermatology. She emphasizes how skin disease impacts not only physical health but also social and emotional well-being, given its visible nature. Her cosmetic practice focuses on pigmentary disorders such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, age-related skin changes, vascular conditions, and laser-based interventions.

A significant portion of the discussion centers on her research and clinical interests—especially acne, pigmentary disorders, acne scarring, and laser hair reduction. She highlights her SOCS Research Award–winning fellowship project, which explored combining a novel topical agent with laser therapy for melasma, aiming to improve outcomes beyond what either modality achieves alone. The project’s results were later presented at a leading national laser conference, underscoring the importance of SOCS support in advancing research for skin of color.

Ugonabo details her long-standing involvement with SOCS, starting as a dermatology resident drawn to the mentorship and trainee-focused programming. Over time, she became co-chair of the Media and Communications Committee, expanding SOCS’s social media reach to promote education, advocacy, and community engagement. Recently appointed to the SOCS Board of Directors, she expresses pride in shaping the organization’s future and fostering opportunities for the next generation of dermatologists.

She observes a growing awareness among clinicians and the public regarding how skin of color responds differently to various medical, cosmetic, and laser treatments. This, she notes, has translated into more tailored care and even into consumer product development—such as tinted sunscreens designed to match diverse skin tones—improving patient adherence and trust.

Offering advice to early-career physicians, Ugonabo encourages openness to organic career growth, leveraging mentorship from both senior colleagues and peers, and resisting the pressure to have a rigidly defined trajectory post-training. She stresses the importance of focusing one’s clinical work on procedures and treatments that inspire enthusiasm, referring out services outside one’s passions to ensure patients receive the best care possible.

Ugonabo’s reflections underscore the role of mentorship, research, and leadership in advancing equitable dermatologic care, while illustrating how SOCS serves as a platform for growth, advocacy, and innovation in the field.

To learn more about SOCS’s mentorship programs and initiatives, visit Skin of Color Society.