AAD pilots effort to address skin conditions among the unhoused
Academy Update
May 1, 2025
On Feb. 27, dermatologists gathered at the Mayfair Hotel in Los Angeles to pilot a new program to help address skin conditions among the unhoused. The hotel is owned by the city and is part of the Inside Safe initiative, offering temporary housing and numerous support services.
Six dermatologists participated in the event: Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, who made launching the pilot one of the final priorities of his term as AAD president; Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, who took office as the next AAD president two weeks later; Nada Elbuluk, MD, FAAD; Pearl Grimes, MD, FAAD; Mona Gohara, MD, FAAD; and Ivy Lee, MD, FAAD.
They provided training and resources for caseworkers and health care professionals to help them recognize common skin conditions, provide basic treatments, and connect with dermatologists for free telemedicine consults when necessary. They also encouraged Mayfair’s current temporary residents to sign up for free skin checks, answered questions, and distributed skin care supplies that were generously supplied by several corporate partners.
The effort was organized by the AAD Ad Hoc Task Force on Dermatologic Care for the Unhoused Population, which Dr. Desai and Dr. Grimes co-chair.
The AAD thanks the sponsors who made this event possible:
