Derm Dispatch: Pre-Med Student Champions Sun Safety Through Advocacy and Education

In an interview for Derm Dispatch, Renata Block, DMSc, MMS, PA-C, spoke with Broc Allen Vargo—a University of California, Berkeley senior studying biology and public health—about his personal and professional commitment to skin cancer prevention and equitable health care.

From Personal Experience to Public Health

While most pre-med students follow a familiar path through the sciences, Vargo’s journey took a unique turn when he enrolled in a public health course early in college. That class, he says, opened his eyes to the widespread health inequities faced by patients in the US.

“If I'm going to be treating patients in the future who face these disparities, it's extremely important that I educate myself about them,” he explained. “That way, I can practice with equity and contribute to breaking down systemic disparities in medicine.”

His drive to pair medical education with public health training comes from more than academic interest. Vargo grew up with parents who owned multiple tanning salons and were frequent tanners themselves. As a child working the front desk, he was surrounded by a culture that promoted tanning as beneficial and uplifting. That narrative started to unravel in fourth grade when a client casually told him, “You’re way too young for that, and it’s not good for you.”

That comment was a turning point. Vargo went home, did his own research, and was shocked to discover the scientific evidence linking indoor tanning to increased skin cancer risk.

“I ran to my parents in tears, telling them they were in danger,” he recalled. Although his warnings were initially dismissed, over time, he helped influence his parents to dramatically cut back on their tanning, dropping from daily sessions to just once a week or less.

Leading Change on Campus and Online

Now a leader in national sun safety initiatives, Vargo serves as the social media outreach coordinator for Don't Fry Day, a public awareness campaign spearheaded by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention. The initiative promotes sun protection messaging each year on the Friday before Memorial Day, marking the unofficial start of summer.

Since joining the committee as a sophomore, Vargo has helped transform Don’t Fry Day into a social media success, securing influencer support and growing the campaign’s online reach to more than 2 million views across platforms. “It’s been extremely valuable,” he said. “We’ve gotten videos from influencers with millions of followers.”

His involvement doesn’t stop there. Vargo also led the charge to make UC Berkeley a Skin Smart Campus, an initiative that prohibits indoor tanning services and promotes sun safety through educational resources and free sunscreen dispensers thanks to a partnership with Impact Melanoma.

“Ensuring my peers don’t have access to tanning beds was really important to me,” Vargo said. “Early intervention before habits form is one of the best ways to prevent tanning throughout life.”

Preparing for a Career in Dermatology

Vargo’s early exposure to harmful UV messaging and his efforts to reverse it are what initially sparked his interest in dermatology. But beyond skin cancer prevention, he sees the specialty as a space where public health, education, and patient advocacy intersect.

“Dermatology extends far beyond aesthetic concerns,” he said. “It plays a critical role in skin cancer prevention, patient education, and addressing disparities in health care access.”

His path forward includes 2 gap years before applying to medical school, during which he plans to gain more clinical experience, take the MCAT, and continue his work in public health. He is also interested in medical missions, though he approaches them with a critical eye. “There are concerns about sustainability and whether the work truly benefits the community long-term,” he noted. “If I pursue a mission, it would have to be one that’s equitable and impactful.”

For students aspiring to careers in medicine or dermatology, Vargo offered advice grounded in experience: “There are a vast amount of organizations that always need volunteers, so I really wouldn't limit your search to the organizations and clubs that are directly related to your university or high school. Keeping your options open, I think, really gives you the opportunity to find your own niche, and that feels really great to fulfill it.”