In the United States, only 3% of dermatologists are Black. It is a disproportion that can have devastating consequences for Black patients faced with skin and hair care concerns.
When it comes to treating dark skin, a missed or incorrect diagnosis can be fatal. Skin cancer, for example, is less common in Black patients, but they have the worst survival rates for melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Per the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Black patients are three times more likely than white patients to die within five years of their melanoma diagnosis because, unlike white people, most of their symptoms are not related to sun exposure. For us, the indicators of melanoma typically present on the palms or on the soles of our feet. An untrained practitioner could very well miss these areas while performing a skin exam or fail to identify these spots as warning signs of cancer altogether.
Doctors say the problem starts in medical school. Dark skin is rarely the subject of discussions surrounding skin cancer because most dermatological training and practice takes place on white skin. There is also a lower perceived risk of skin cancer for Black people, a racial disparity that imposes enormous barriers and terrifying prospects for Black patients specifically.
In part two of The Hub’s Melanin Matters series, we feature Black dermatologists from all across the United States who are proficient in caring for the needs of Black patients. Not only does this directory provide quick and easy access to doctors in major cities nationwide, but it also highlights their devotion to raising awareness for more inclusive education and cultural competence in medicine.
Illinois: Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD
CITY: Chicago, IL
SPECIALTY: Dermatology
WEBSITE: tonedermatology.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: Dr. Robinson chose dermatology because of her sister’s challenging childhood journey with vitiligo. After many years of navigating a broken healthcare system that underserved her, their family finally found a dermatologist who supported her self-confidence while properly treating her condition. Today, Dr. Robinson is a fierce advocate for diversity in dermatology, committed to bringing more awareness to the racial disparities in healthcare.
Texas: Adeline Kikam, DO, MS, FAAD
CITY: Houston, TX
SPECIALTY: General Dermatology
WEBSITE: dradelinekikam.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: “I was inspired to become a dermatologist because of struggles I faced with my own skin while growing up,” Dr. Kikam shares on her webpage. “I wanted to create a trusted space for expert-led skin care knowledge, as well as highlight common dermatologic conditions and issues with access to care for melanin-rich skin.”
Massachusetts: Yolanda Lenzy, MC, MPH
CITY: Chicopee, MA
SPECIALTY: Hair Loss, hair wellness, skin of color dermatology
WEBSITE: lenzyderm.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: After shadowing her own Black-woman dermatologist while she was in high school and a career in cosmetology, Dr. Yolanda Lenzy chose to specialize in helping patients of color effectively tackle all areas of concern for hair loss.
Georgia: Tiffany L. Clay, MD, FAAD
CITY: Atlanta, GA
SPECIALTY: General dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and surgeries
WEBSITE: dermatologyaffiliates.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: Dr. Clay’s choice to practice dermatology was inspired by personal visits to her dermatologist, who helped nurture her self-confidence as a teenager. She remains dedicated to doing the same for her patients.
New York: Angela J. Lamb
CITY: New York City, NY
SPECIALTY: General and cosmetic dermatology, breast cancer patients and survivors, chemotherapy skin reactions
WEBSITE: mountsainai.org
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: Although she is the child of a vascular surgeon, Dr. Lamb’s parents never encouraged her to pursue medicine. But the indirect exposure to the field helped her to realize it was her calling, too. Her passion for science, teaching and helping others who look like her directly aligns with her commitment to her patients and for stressing the importance of diversity in the field of dermatology.
New York: Carlos A. Charles, MD
CITY: Cornwall, NY
SPECIALTY: Medical dermatology, melanin-rich skin
WEBSITE: hudsondermatology.com
WHY HE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: As a dermatologist for patients with darker skin tones, Dr. Charles sees a great opportunity to make a positive change not only through direct patient care but also by focusing on mentorship for other physicians of color.
Massachusetts: Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD
CITY: Greater Boston, MA
SPECIALTY: Cosmetic dermatology, acne, hair loss
WEBSITE: vibrantdermatology.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: Dr. Ip says that in dermatology, she has found everything she loves about medicine. She says she is passionate about treating patients of all skin types, ages and ethnicities while making a difference in their everyday lives.
New Jersey: Jeanine B. Downie, MD, MA, FAAD
CITY: Montclair, NJ
SPECIALTY: Cosmetic dermatology
WEBSITE: imagedermatology.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: As a teenager, Dr. Downie experienced severe acne and because of it, endured ongoing, painful ridicule and mocking. Helping her patients look and feel their best remains the foundation of her 23-year practice.
Washington D.C.: Cheryl Burgess, MD, FAAD
CITY: Washington, D.C.
SPECIALTY: Medical and cosmetic dermatology
WEBSITE: ctr4dermatology.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: “I was exposed to dermatology during my second year of medical school by working with the Department of Dermatology at National Institutes of Health,” Dr. Burgess recounts in an interview with Allure. “I assisted on the Isotretinoin (Accutane) Phase IV safety and dosing studies. The clinical research experience heightened my interests in the field.”
North Carolina: Brooke Jackson, MD, FAAD
CITY: Durham, NC
SPECIALTY: Medical, aesthetic and surgical dermatology
WEBSITE: skinwellnessdermatology.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: For Dr. Jackson, her commitment to helping patients of color look and feel their best is equally as important as her highly innovative and customized treatment systems.
New York: Rosemarie Ingleton, MD, FAAD
CITY: New York City, NY
SPECIALTY: General and cosmetic dermatology
WEBSITE: ingletonmd.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: Dr. Ingleton’s interest in dermatology was always innate. Her natural love and enthusiasm for science, art and surgery allow her to diagnose and treat skin disorders for patients of color in more personalized ways.
New York: Elyse Love, MD, FAAD
CITY: New York City, NY
SPECIALTY: Cosmetic treatments, acne
WEBSITE: glamderm.com
WHY SHE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: Dr. Love’s journey with dermatology began as a patient. During her teenage years, she suffered from severe acne and struggled to find a dermatologist who understood her skin concerns. Today, her own personal experiences continue to drive her knowledge, compassion and respect for the values, attitudes and beliefs of her patients of color.
Prince Adotama, MD, FAAD
CITY: New York City, NY
SPECIALTY: General dermatology
WEBSITE: nyulangone.com
WHY HE CHOSE DERMATOLOGY: When it comes down to how dermatology can better serve patients with darker skin, for Dr. Adotama, not only is the representation key, but delivering high-quality, patient-centered care is also paramount. While growing up, he didn’t see enough dermatologists who looked like him, as dermatology is one of the least diverse fields in medicine.
