
MISSION STATEMENT
Medical student volunteer service-learning opportunities in skin cancer prevention
A group of board-certified dermatologists at The Los Angeles Metropolitan Dermatological Society met one day in 2001 to discuss the alarming epidemic of skin cancer cases. Knowing that acquired sun damage is by far the leading cause, the doctors agreed to dedicate themselves to fighting this largely preventable cancer by promoting sun protection for children and adolescents. They created and named their new program Sun Safety for Kids, and set out to recruit schools to join them in the fight against skin cancer. Dermatologist, Jeff Ashley, MD, serves as President of Sun Safety for Kids, which is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit charity.
a partnership with the medical students was established
Fast forward to 2016, when Vadim Lincoln and Igor Krivitsky, both enrolled as medical students at the Keck School of Medicine of USC (University of Southern California) created an original presentation on skin cancer prevention and delivered it in nearby community high schools. When this caught the attention of Sun Safety for Kids a partnership with the medical students was established with the goal of disseminating their concept nationwide. The two med students, joined by fellow Keck-USC student, Shera Feinstein, proposed the UV&Me title, chose the design for its logo, created the first website, and served as the founding Medical Student National Directors. Each of the three med students left UV&Me to proceed with rigorous further education but, after completing his MD degree and specialty training in dermatology, Dr. Vadim Lincoln returned to join Dr. Jeff Ashley where they now both serve as UV&Me Professional Co-Directors.
day to day operations
As a division of Sun Safety for Kids (SSK), the UV&Me program is overseen by SSK’s board-certified dermatologists. The Professional Co-Directors of UV&Me, themselves dermatologists, supervise the day to day operations that are conducted by General Manager, Martin “Marty” Roark. In addition, International and U.S. Medical Student Directors share their insight and advice, contribute material, and provide support to their many dedicated fellow medical students who are starting or running a chapter.
chapter members volunteer to deliver a
UV&Me-approved presentation
Each local chapter of UV&Me is established at a medical school as a university-recognized Medical Student Organization (or the equivalent) in which a university-based Faculty Advisor supervises the medical student chapter members. The chapter members volunteer to deliver a UV&Me-approved presentation to children and adolescents in their school classroom, or other community venue, with the goal of preventing skin cancer by informing and motivating children to protect their skin from sun damage.
