Volunteerism
Community Service and Outreach
Members of our department are passionate about volunteerism and giving back to our community. Some of the ongoing projects in which we are involved are highlighted below:
- WooDerm is a resident-led volunteer initiative aimed at providing free and accessible dermatologic care to the Worcester community. Worcester is a diverse city with many residents facing barriers to specialty services such as lack of transportation, housing instability, substance use, lack of insurance, language barriers, and varying healthcare literacy. At WooDerm, we maintain a regular presence at the Epworth Worcester Free Clinic and the UMass Road to Care Mobile Addiction Service. Our team is founded by dermatology residents and medical students at UMass Chan Medical School, and we are supported by dermatology faculty who help staff our clinics.
- AAD’s Camp Discovery Connecticut was co-founded and is co-directed by two UMass Chan dermatology faculty members, Dr. Goldberg and Dr. Wiss. This week-long overnight summer camp experience is designed to create a nurturing and fun environment for children ages 8 to 16 with disabling or disfiguring skin conditions. Our residents can serve as medical staff counselors at the camp and participate in this life-changing experience.
- Our faculty and residents volunteer regularly at skin cancer screening events throughout the year, including larger events in the fall at Polar Park for local firefighters and in the spring in our clinic for the community at-large.
- Sunscreen dispensers in Worcester by Dr. Jess St. John & medical student Christopher Fay (supported by a Remillard Family Community Fund grant). Read the news article here.