Dermatology Medical Missions

Dermatology Medical Missions (DMM) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) volunteer organization dedicated to providing dermatology and related healthcare services to underserved groups of people in the United States and abroad. Our mission is to deliver healthcare services and promote the social welfare of the people we serve, empower medical and related volunteers, nurture and support the growth of our volunteers, train local leaders in their home countries, and facilitate ongoing collaborative work for research and delivery of medical care.

Our Work

DMM coordinates teams of doctors and related people to travel to medically underserved areas of the United States and the world. These teams work with local partners including nongovernmental organizations, hospitals, religious groups, universities, and governmental agencies to address the skin disease needs of people whose health is challenged by poverty and poor access to health care. DMM helps with expenses of dermatologist volunteer activities, such as medications and surgical supplies, as well as infrastructure involved in providing a dermatology presence within an established multi-specialty clinic location. This support leverages the tremendous value of donated physician time.

DMM also seeks to utilize the most efficient methods to identify dermatology needs and see their resolution. We carry out research of appropriate skin disease, such as studies focused on answering questions related to our mission. We select, design, and utilize technology to facilitate collaborative work.

Our Impact

In the USA, DMM has established a Dedicated Dermatology Clinic at the Caridad Center in Palm Beach County. Several physicians volunteer on a regular basis at Caridad to provide diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment as required by the patient, and follow-up care. The Dermatology Clinic at Caridad sees approximately ----- patients per year.

In the Caribbean, DMM has conducted medical missions in Grenada. DMM is in the planning stages of returning to Grenada and continuing our work with the Ministry of Health. Because of the tropical climate and sparse dermatology resources, skin care and especially skin cancer are serious problems. DMM's goal for Grenada is to provide dermatology services on a quarterly basis.

In Africa, DMM teaches clinical dermatology and cutaneous dermatologic surgery techniques. Skin cancer grows in children with albinism when they are only eight years old. The dark-skinned mothers of albino children want to learn how to care for a child with albinism. With your help, albino children can lead happy & healthy lives!

Leadership

John Strasswimmer, M.D., Ph. D. and President of Dermatology Medical Missions received his M.D. and Ph. D. (papillomavirus molecular biology) from Tufts University Medical School. He served his internship at Harvard Medical School and his dermatology residency at the Yale School of Medicine. He was a two-year laser fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School, where he studied laser related technology for skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. He completed a second fellowship in Mohs micrographic surgery through the Mohs College. Prior to coming to Florida, Dr. Strasswimmer was on staff at Massachusetts General Hospital and served as a member of the faculty of Harvard Medical School. He is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and is a Fellow of the Mohs College. Dr. Strasswimmer is the lead author of more than 20 peer-reviewed papers and regularly lectures nationally and internationally. He is a partner in Dermatology Associates of the Palm Beaches. PA, a group practice of eleven dermatologists. In addition, he is the Medical Director of the Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Tumor Board of the Lynn Regional Cancer Center at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. This past year, he founded the not-for-profit organization Dermatology Medical Missions, Inc. to bring together dermatologists and related volunteers to address the skin disease needs of the underserved.

Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering with DMM

If you are interested in volunteering with DMM, please contact us to learn more about our upcoming missions and how you can get involved.