Pfizer Canada ULC and the Skin Spectrum Summit have announced dermatology residents Dr. Edgar Akuffo-Addo from the University of Toronto and Dr. Farhan Mahmood from McGill University as winners of the 2024 Canadian Skin of Colour & Diversity Scholarship program.
Now in its second year, the scholarship program aims to improve dermatologic care for underrepresented populations, including those with deeper skin tones, Indigenous Peoples, and other racialized individuals.
An independent committee of Canadian dermatologists selected both scholarship winners. Each recipient will receive $20,000 to fund their innovative projects.
“We are pleased, for the second year, to be able to recognize exceptional dermatology residents and support their ambitious goals to positively change the dermatology care for Indigenous and racialized persons experiencing health inequities across Canada,” said Dr. Marissa Joseph, chair of the 2024 scholarship steering committee for the Canadian Skin of Colour & Diversity Scholarship, in a press release. “As long as disparity in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions exists in Canada, we have work to do. I look forward to the important impact this year’s winners will have on dermatological practice across the country.”
Dr. Joseph is the Medical Director of the Ricky Kanee Schachter Dermatology Centre at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto.
The winning projects focus on identifying and addressing prevalent disparities in dermatologic care while also helping expand medical students’ knowledge about the experience of patients with skin of colour.
Dr. Akuffo-Addo’s project is titled “Voicing Opinions, Identifying Concerns, and Expectations of Patients with Skin of Colour Accessing Dermatological Care in Canada (VOICE-Canada Project).”
This project will focus on better understanding the experiences and unmet needs of patients with skin of colour seeking dermatologic care in Canada. In addition, the project aims to establish and evaluate a nationwide Dermatology Mentorship Program for medical students from underrepresented backgrounds to increase diversity in the field.
“Addressing racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare is a very personal mission for me,” said Dr. Akuffo-Addo. “It is my hope that the VOICE-Canada Project helps increase representation of minority groups in the dermatologic workforce while also uncovering areas where we can improve dermatology practices. We hope to develop concrete recommendations that can be implemented to ensure that all patients, regardless of skin type, receive outstanding care.”
Dr. Mahmood’s project is titled “Painting the Gaps with Colour: A Learning Module on Skin of Colour Dermatoses and the Experiences of Indigenous Populations in Dermatology.”
It will focus on developing a national self-learning module addressing common dermatoses in skin of colour, health disparities faced by Indigenous and skin of colour individuals, and the experiences of these patients from both a social determinants of health and cultural perspective. Dr. Mahmood’s goal is to see the module integrated into the medical school and dermatology residency program curricula across the country.
“I am excited to address the gaps in dermatology and medical education concerning the underrepresentation of skin of colour, including Indigenous health,” said Dr. Mahmood. “This scholarship will empower me to pursue my scholarly endeavours without financial constraints while also enabling me to innovate effective medical education tools for my colleagues and future physicians.”
Dr. Akuffo-Addo and Dr. Mahmood will each share the outcomes of their projects at the 2025 Skin Spectrum Summit annual conference on October 4, 2025, in Toronto.
“Equity is one of our core values at Pfizer, and we know that addressing equity in care begins with learning and active listening,” said Frédéric Lavoie, Specialty Care Lead for Pfizer Canada. “We are proud to support the Canadian Skin of Colour & Diversity Scholarship and the exceptional research and work that will help improve patient experiences and outcomes.”
“Change is a product of curiosity and commitment,” said Mitchell Shannon, CEO and Publisher of Chronicle Companies and Conference Secretariat of Skin Spectrum Summit. “The winners of this year’s scholarships are taking those qualities and setting out on new, innovative paths. We are confident their work will bring us closer to the goal of more diverse, inclusive dermatology care for all.”
Pfizer Canada and the Skin Spectrum Summit are pleased to support the Canadian Skin of Colour and Diversity Scholarship again in 2025. Details will be available in spring 2025 at www.skinofcolourscholarship.com.
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