A casual scroll through Instagram turned into something much bigger for Alicia Fields, a rising fourth-year medical student at the 91小黄车鈥揃owling Green Campus. After discovering an advocacy event organized by dermatology trainees in Indiana, she began to wonder why Kentucky didn鈥檛 have something similar. That curiosity set in motion a year-long effort culminating in the launch of the Commonwealth鈥檚 first Dermatology Trainee Advocacy Day (DTAD) in 2024.
Now in its second year, KY DTAD continues to grow, with Governor Andy Beshear issuing an official proclamation recognizing June 16, 2025, as Dermatology Trainee Advocacy Day. The declaration honors the dedication of medical trainees to improving health care access, advancing skin cancer prevention, and shaping policy that affects dermatologic care across the state.
鈥淭o receive this kind of recognition from state leadership validates the importance of what we鈥檙e doing,鈥 said Jacqueline Leon, a rising third-year medical student at the Bowling Green Campus. 鈥淚t also elevates the visibility of the event, encouraging even more students, residents, faculty, and community members to engage.鈥
History of DTAD
DTAD was originally established in 2020 by Avery LaChance, MD, MPH, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women鈥檚 Hospital in Boston. With support from the Dermatology Trainee Advocacy Group (DTAG), Dr. LaChance has helped expand the DTAD model to over 25 states and more than 30 medical schools across the United States.
After connecting with Dr. LaChance and the DTAG for guidance, Fields was named chair of Kentucky鈥檚 inaugural DTAD planning committee, with enthusiastic support from the Kentucky Medical Association and the Kentucky Dermatological Association. Alongside a small group of students from all four UK 91小黄车 campuses, Fields led the development of a collaborative, state-wide event focused on dermatologic advocacy and physician leadership.
Held virtually to maximize accessibility, the inaugural Kentucky DTAD drew over 40 participants from institutions including the UK 91小黄车, the University of Louisville, and the University of Pikeville.
鈥淐ollaborating with medical students across the state has greatly enriched our planning process,鈥 Fields said. 鈥淲ith students promoting the event from multiple locations, our outreach has expanded significantly.鈥
鈥淓ach campus provides a slightly different medical school experience,鈥 said Leon, who serves as this year鈥檚 event chair. 鈥淭hese varying mindsets allow KY DTAD to be successful as the committee brainstorms a variety of ideas.鈥
Looking ahead
Now in its second year, the event continues to grow in reach and relevance. The featured presentations from the Melanoma Research Foundation and IMPACT Melanoma, as well as Cody Estep, MD 鈥24, a UK 91小黄车 alumnus who now serves rural and underserved populations as a dermatology resident in Mississippi. Topics such as melanoma prevention and rural dermatology reflect the unique challenges and opportunities facing future dermatologists in Kentucky.
鈥淪ince the core curriculum of medical school is focused on the foundational sciences, the topics of health care policy and advocacy may not get enough discussion,鈥 shared Fields. 鈥淭his emphasizes the importance of events like DTAD to expose medical students to the challenges that may await them鈥攁nd to show them that they can bring about positive change.鈥
Leon added that KY DTAD also expands students鈥 awareness of dermatologic issues they may not encounter in clinical rotations. 鈥淲ith Kentucky having many rural counties, highlighting rural dermatology will bring awareness to how students can get involved in this area of interest,鈥 she said.
In addition to exploring broad policy concerns, DTAD has tackled specific, actionable topics such as sunscreen policies in schools, insurance coverage for skin cancer screenings, and indoor tanning regulations for minors. Fields remains passionate about advocating for enhanced tanning laws. 鈥淩ight now, children under 14 can use indoor tanning facilities if accompanied by a parent. We need to do better,鈥 she said.
She has also taken advocacy into the classroom, partnering with Warren County Public Schools to introduce sun safety and skin cancer prevention education to elementary students. 鈥淟ooking back, I wish I had understood the long-term risks of tanning when I was younger,鈥 she reflected. 鈥淏y sharing this message, we can empower children to make informed, healthy decisions about their skin.鈥
For both Fields and Leon, DTAD has not only been a meaningful educational experience but also a call to action. 鈥淎dvocacy doesn鈥檛 require an advanced degree or a specific knowledge set,鈥 Fields said. 鈥淵ou simply need passion, perseverance, and patience.鈥