Start a Chapter

Reforming Atopic Skin Health Education

Interested in the Miami Itch Center?

The Miami Itch Center, directed by Dr. Gil Yosipovitch, is one of the nation’s only comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinics dedicated to the diagnosis and management of a variety of itchy conditions.

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Interested in starting a chapter in your program? We would be happy to support you in expanding the RASHE initiative at the national level. Below are some of the types outlined to create the organization at your respective university.

Step 1: Assess Interest

Begin by assessing interest among medical students and faculty. You will need individuals to form part of the E-board, serve as volunteer educators, and a faculty member to serve as the sponsor for your student organization. Consider collaborating with other dermatology and pediatric student organizations to find peers with a similar interest.
Step 2: Establish An E-Board

Form a leadership team to manage the organization and define a clear mission statement regarding the goal of forming a branch RASHE chapter -- emphasizing the goal of educating middle school students about atopic dermatitis to increase awareness and reduce stigma associated with the condition. Typically, such roles include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Outreach Coordinator but vary from chapter to chapter and depend on university-specific criteria. Confirm a faculty member to serve as the faculty sponsor for your program.
Step 3: Contact RASHE National

While you are welcome to contact us (rasheeducation@gmail.com) at any time during the process of starting your chapter, we especially recommend reaching out before you officially submit any branch student organization documentation. We want to ensure all programs have the necessary tools to provide the same standardized education across chapters, and to provide you with any necessary documentation needed (including educational material) to register your organization at your medical school.
Step 4: Submit Student Organization Registration

Each university will have its own timeline, but typically in the late spring/summer semester there will be an open window for new student organizations to register with the medical school for the upcoming academic year. Make sure to have your team and the necessary documentation ready for that timeline.
Step 5: Train Volunteers

Organize training sessions for your members. Focus on teaching them how to effectively communicate with younger students and handle sensitive topics related to health and body image. Include information on managing diverse classroom dynamics and engaging students in interactive learning. We highly encourage having a senior student (MS3/MS4/research fellow) with experience in pediatrics or dermatology with a focus in eczema to serve as the lead point for these sessions.
Step 6: Form Partnerships with Local Schools

Reach out to local middle schools to establish partnerships. Contact school principals or school district officials to propose educational sessions. Outline the benefits of the program for students and how it aligns with health education goals. Be prepared to adapt to the schools' scheduling needs and any requirements they might have.
Step 7: Get Started!

We greatly appreciate your commitment to advancing our joint effort of increasing health knowledge of atopic dermatitis in an effort to reduce the stigma suffered by individuals living with the condition. Once you are officially started, send an email to our national chapter (rasheeducation@gmail.com) so we can add you to the list of active participating schools.

Start a Chapter

Interested in the Miami Itch Center?

Step 1: Assess Interest

Step 2: Establish An E-Board

Step 3: Contact RASHE National

Step 4: Submit Student Organization Registration

Step 5: Train Volunteers

Step 6: Form Partnerships with Local Schools

Step 7: Get Started!