L’Oréal and CeraVe Partner with Mass General for a Global First
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Pictured: CeraVe and MGH Members with Inaugural Endowed Chair Dr. Esther Freeman.
Skin disease is more than a cosmetic concern; it is the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. Yet, for billions of people in underserved regions, access to a dermatologist remains out of reach.
To tackle this global crisis, CeraVe, the top dermatologist-recommended skincare brand in the U.S., has joined forces with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) to establish the L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty/CeraVe Endowed Chair in Global Health Dermatology.
This groundbreaking initiative represents a "global first", the first endowed chair in global health dermatology anywhere in the world and the first corporate-named chair at MGH.
Appointing a Global Leader: Dr. Esther Freeman
The inaugural chair has been awarded to Dr. Esther E. Freeman, a globally recognized leader in the field of global health dermatology. Dr. Freeman currently serves as the Director of Global Health Dermatology at MGH and is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School.
Since 2003, Dr. Freeman has dedicated her career to improving healthcare access, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Her work as a physician-scientist includes critical research on HIV, Mpox, COVID-19, and infectious diseases, alongside collaborations with the World Health Organization on global skin disease guidelines.
“This support will be instrumental in expanding our reach, training more healthcare workers, and improving skin health outcomes for vulnerable populations around the world,” said Dr. Freeman. “My goal is to help create a true ripple effect that will inspire sustainable care and empower the next generation of leaders.”
Closing the Access Gap: "Care For All"
The establishment of this chair is a central pillar of CeraVe’s "Care For All" social impact mission. Launched in 2022, the program aims to close the skin health access gap by providing frontline caregivers with the mentorship, training, and funding needed for accessible consultations in under-resourced settings.
The endowed chair provides Dr. Freeman with dedicated time, up to 20% protected time, and enhanced resources to focus on research, policy, and advocacy globally.
“As a brand that believes everyone deserves access to skin health and resources, CeraVe sees this endowed Chair as an opportunity to work alongside changemakers like Dr. Freeman,” said Gene Colón, CeraVe Global SVP of Medical Affairs & Communications.
A Milestone in Philanthropic Partnership
For MGH, this partnership signals a new era in medical advancement. An endowed chair is the highest honor the hospital can bestow, and this specific role is expected to provide lasting support for the future of global dermatology.
“This initiative is truly pioneering,” said Dr. William Curry, Chief Medical Officer at Mass General Brigham. “This new position marks a significant milestone in how we advance medicine through philanthropic partnerships.”
By investing in leadership and long-term mentorship, L’Oréal, CeraVe, and MGH are ensuring that the fight for global skin health becomes a permanent fixture in modern medicine.