People and Places - Week of January 17, 2025

Fairfax-based Integrated Dermatology recently announced the addition of Raina Bembry, M.D., to its team of expert dermatologists. Practice officials said Bembry, who specializes in a wide range of treatments, has medical and cosmetic dermatology expertise.

She is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical dermatology, skin cancer treatment, and pediatric dermatology. She is dedicated to providing inclusive care for diverse patients, including expertise in treating skin of color.

"Dr. Bembry’s extensive dermatology expertise, coupled with her passion for serving a diverse range of patients, makes her an invaluable addition to our team," said Rebecca Satoskar, M.D., medical director at Integrated Dermatology of Fairfax. "Her commitment goes beyond clinical excellence – she truly cares about getting to know each patient. We’re excited to have her on board to help us continue providing high-quality services to our community.”

A native of northern New Jersey, Bembry earned her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., where she developed a deep appreciation for the DMV area and its community. She completed her internship at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark before pursuing a clinical research fellowship in contact dermatitis at Duke University Medical Center. During this time, she made significant contributions to the field, co-authoring several articles in prestigious scientific journals such as DermWorld and the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. She completed her residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where she served as chief resident in her final year.

Bembry is an active Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the Skin of Color Society, reflecting her ongoing commitment to staying at the forefront of best dermatologic practices.

Local girls’ school receives $60 million gift

The Madeira School, a local girls’ college preparatory and boarding school, received a transformative gift of $60 million from an anonymous alumna. School officials say this marks the largest single donation in its 118-year history and is the largest ever to an independent girls’ school.

According to Madeira School officials, the gift builds upon a foundation of generosity that has supported Madeira's mission of “launching women who change the world,” positioning the school to continue its commitment to providing deep, ambitious learning for young women. At the donor's request, the gift will be invested for at least five years as part of Madeira’s endowment and then integrated into the School's strategic priorities to ensure a thoughtful and impactful approach to supporting Madeira's innovative educational programs.

Founded in 1906 by Lucy Madeira, The Madeira School provides 338 students in grades 9-12 with an immersive learning program designed to build confidence, courage, and experiences beyond the classroom so they can thrive and become leaders in an ever-evolving world. The School’s innovative academic schedule fosters deeper learning and allows students to explore interests, retain information effectively, and gain real-life experiences through three internships before graduation.

"This transformational contribution represents a profound commitment to girls' education and Madeira’s mission to prepare young women to become leaders and changemakers,” said Christina Kyong, head of school. “This gift is a powerful recognition of the impact the school has had on the donor’s life and the lives of countless young women. We are deeply moved by her immense confidence in Madeira's leadership and our vision to educate students for generations to come."

"Rooted in the tradition of donor support that has shaped Madeira's journey and enabled our most significant achievements, this extraordinary contribution continues the school's remarkable trajectory,” added Anita Patel Tolani ’91, P ‘24, Chair of Madeira’s Board of Trustees. “It supports future generations of women and will inspire our entire community to continue supporting girls' education."