The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and Pfizer Global Medical Grants are collaborating to offer a grant program focused on broad implementation of GW’s Teledermatology Help Desk Clinic model in underserved areas across the United States. “During the pandemic, the healthcare divide became even more apparent across many underserved areas,” said Adam Friedman, M.D., chair of Dermatology and residency program director at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “However, as telemedicine enhanced access to dermatologic medical care for many, we also noticed that the divide itself was widened not just because there was a health desert – but now there’s also a technology desert.”
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Friedman spoke to Urban Health Today about dermatology disparities in underserved communities, and about the mission and importance of this grant program.