Become a Mentor
The Medical Dermatology Society Mentorship Program connects residents, fellows, and early-career faculty with experienced leaders in the field. By serving as a mentor, you provide personalized guidance, open doors to hands-on learning, and strengthen the pipeline of skilled medical dermatologists dedicated to caring for patients with complex skin diseases.
Whether you’ve mentored before or are considering it for the first time, your expertise and time make a lasting impact on the next generation—and on the future of our field.
Why Serve as a Mentor?
- Support rising clinicians navigating the complexities of medical dermatology
- Promote academic and clinical excellence across institutions
- Share your experience in patient care, research, and professional growth
- Help mentees envision and pursue diverse career paths
- Contribute meaningfully to a small, high-impact professional community
Program Structure
The mentorship program follows a 15-month cycle, from April through June of the following year. Individual mentorships include a four-week, in-person rotation scheduled within this timeframe.
You’ll help your mentee design a project plan, align expectations, and reflect on their experience. Mentors are also strongly encouraged to attend the MDS Annual Meeting and support their mentees’ presentation there.
Program Expectations
To serve as a mentor in the MDS Mentorship Program, you must:
- Be an active faculty member in an attending position
- Be a current member of the Medical Dermatology Society
- Not be affiliated with the mentee’s home institution
- Be available for regular communication and support during the mentee’s one-month rotation
- Provide a letter of recommendation for your mentee during the application process
- Work collaboratively with your mentee to shape a meaningful experience (clinical, educational, or research-focused)
Mentors may support more than one mentee per year, depending on availability and interest.
Ready to Sign Up?
Click below to complete a short interest form to become a part of the MDS mentor pool. We’ll be in touch with more information about the timeline and next steps.