LEADderm & The Power of the Podium, with Jennifer Soung, MD

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In this episode of The Medical Sisterhood, host Mona Shahriari, MD, sits down with Jennifer Soung, MD—Director of Clinical Research at Southern California Dermatology, practicing dermatologist, educator, and founder of the LEADderm meeting—for a candid, inspiring conversation about career evolution, representation, and the transformative power of community in dermatology.

Soung reflects on her early trajectory from training at Mount Sinai and UC Irvine to establishing a thriving clinical research center in an underserved area of Santa Ana. She shares how early experiences with underrepresentation and balancing motherhood with professional ambitions shaped her approach to leadership.

The conversation flows from personal anecdotes—such as Soung’s thoughts on shifting from first names to full titles to allow for greater respect in male-dominated settings—to formative reflections on Soung's mentorship under pediatric endocrinologist Francine Kaufman, MD, who modeled a career blending clinical practice, research, and advocacy. Shahriari shares how Soung’s presence on the podium early in her own career served as a powerful model of representation, affirming that leadership can look different.

A focal point of their dialogue is LEADderm, a dermatology conference Soung created to address gaps in gender and ethnic diversity among academic and industry leaders. Beyond clinical science, LEADderm emphasizes emotional intelligence, sponsorship, and authentic work-life integration—topics traditionally underrepresented at major meetings.

Soung outlines the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, advocating for actionable steps to elevate others. The episode closes with a preview of the 2024 conference and a call to foster inclusive leadership through community, visibility, and purposeful connection.

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