Nicole Negbenebor, MD, is a clinical assistant professor of dermatology and the director of the Skin of Color Clinic for the University of Iowa, as well as a Skin of Color Society (SOCS) member.

Nicole Negbenebor, MD

Using Writing to Advocate for Patients in Dermatology, With Nicole Negbenebor, MD

Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color

 in partnership with the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), Nicole Negbenebor, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology and director of the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of Iowa, discusses how writing and collaboration have shaped her academic and clinical work in 

Negbenebor reflects on her longstanding passion for writing, noting that scholarly work has become a meaningful extension of her clinical practice. For her, writing offers an opportunity to translate real-world patient experiences into broader conversations that can inform the dermatology community. Whether through case reports, reviews, or perspective pieces, she views academic writing as a way to highlight clinical observations, raise awareness about conditions affecting patients with skin of color, and contribute to the evolving dermatologic literature.

She explains that writing also allows physicians to address structural challenges within healthcare. Topics such as barriers to treatment access, insurance limitations for certain therapies, and disparities in dermatologic care are areas where published work can help spark discussion and drive change. By documenting these issues in the literature, clinicians can bring attention to systemic challenges that affect patient care.

Negbenebor also emphasizes the collaborative nature of academic work. She highlights how partnerships with colleagues, both within dermatology and across other specialties, can strengthen research and lead to more comprehensive perspectives on complex topics. Collaborative writing projects, she notes, often bring together clinicians with diverse expertise, allowing for richer analysis and a broader impact within the field.

In addition to advancing scholarship, collaboration also serves as a valuable mentorship opportunity. Negbenebor encourages trainees and early-career dermatologists to seek out collaborative projects as a way to develop writing skills, build professional networks, and contribute to ongoing research efforts.

Together, these experiences reflect Negbenebor’s broader view of academic dermatology as a collective effort. By combining clinical insight with collaborative scholarship, dermatologists can continue to expand the evidence base, share practical lessons from patient care, and advocate for improved outcomes for diverse patient populations.

Editor’s note: This summary was developed with the help of AI tools.

Negbenebor N. Skin of Color Savvy: Challenges and Successes in a Dermatologist’s Career, With Nicole Negbenebor, MD. HCPLive. March 10, 2026. Accessed March 14, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/skin-of-color-savvy-challenges-successes-dermatologist-career-nicole-negbenebor-md

Videos

Nicole Negbenebor, MD, discusses how writing and collaboration help advance dermatologic research and patient advocacy.

Discussing Work as the Director of a Skin of Color Clinic in Dermatology

 in partnership with the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), Nicole Negbenebor, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology and director of the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of Iowa, highlights key clinical and cultural considerations when caring for patients with skin of color.

Negbenebor discusses how dermatologic conditions in diverse patient populations often require a broader clinical perspective integrating cultural awareness with evidence-based care. While many dermatologic diseases present across all skin types, she notes differences in pigmentary response, hair-care practices, and product use can influence both disease presentation and treatment outcomes. As a result, dermatologists must remain attentive to patient-specific factors potentially shaping clinical decision-making.

A central theme of the discussion is the importance of listening to patients and creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their concerns. Negbenebor notes patients with skin of color may sometimes feel their symptoms or experiences have been overlooked in healthcare settings. Building trust through open communication, particularly around culturally relevant practices such as hair care routines or skincare products, can improve diagnostic accuracy and strengthen therapeutic relationships.

Negbenebor also emphasizes the value of education and mentorship in expanding dermatologists’ ability to care for diverse populations. Through her work at the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of Iowa, she helps train residents to recognize conditions that may be more prevalent or present differently in patients with darker skin types, including pigmentary disorders, scarring alopecias, and inflammatory dermatoses potentially leading to postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

The segment further underscores the importance of continued research and scholarly engagement in advancing dermatologic care. Negbenebor describes writing and academic work as providing opportunities to highlight patient experiences, address gaps in clinical knowledge, and advocate for improved access to therapies.

Taken together, this portion of the conversation reflects Negbenebor’s broader message throughout the episode: delivering effective dermatologic care requires not only clinical expertise, but also cultural awareness, mentorship, and a commitment to expanding the evidence base for patients with skin of color.

In this segment of the latest Skin of Color Savvy podcast, Nicole Negbenebor, MD, highlights her experiences as director of a Skin of Color Clinic.

Skin of Color Savvy: Challenges and Successes in a Dermatologist’s Career, With Nicole Negbenebor, MD

 leaders, Nicole Negbenebor, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology and director of the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of Iowa, discusses her professional journey in 

, highlighting her clinical interests, research advocacy, and commitment to improving care for diverse patient populations.

Negbenebor reflects on the factors drawing her to dermatology back during medical school, citing the specialty’s breadth, diagnostic complexity, and ability to reveal systemic disease through cutaneous findings. She notes that dermatology’s combination of medical management, surgery, pathology, and patient education allows physicians to pursue varied interests while maintaining a strong investigative component. This multidimensional nature of the specialty continues to shape her clinical and research pursuits.

A significant portion of Negbenebor’s work centers on her leadership of the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of Iowa, originally established by a mentor. In this role, she treats a wide spectrum of conditions affecting patients with diverse skin types, including vitiligo, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), acne keloidalis nuchae, scarring alopecias, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

The clinic also addresses cosmetic dermatology concerns and provides education to dermatology residents rotating through the program. Negbenebor emphasizes the importance of culturally informed care, noting that treatment strategies must often account for hair-care practices, product use, and other cultural considerations not extensively addressed in traditional dermatology training.

Throughout the discussion, she highlights ongoing improvements in awareness of skin of color dermatology but describes some patients as still feeling unheard in clinical settings. Creating spaces where patients feel comfortable discussing concerns, including hair care practices or culturally specific skincare routines, can improve trust and treatment outcomes. Integrating such knowledge into dermatologic care, she adds, is essential to delivering effective and patient-centered management.

Negbenebor also shares examples from her clinical practice illustrating the complexity of dermatologic care. In one case, she describes treating a patient with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans requiring Mohs surgery, multidisciplinary collaboration, and coordination of social support services, including interpretation and childcare. Experiences such as these underscore the importance of teamwork across specialties to optimize patient outcomes.

Beyond clinical practice, Negbenebor highlights writing and research as key avenues for advocacy. She describes academic writing as a way to document patient experiences, address barriers such as insurance restrictions for biologic therapies, and contribute to broader systemic improvements in care.

Reflecting on her experiences with SOCS, Negbenebor credits the organization’s mentorship programs and educational resources with fostering community and advancing expertise in dermatologic care for patients with skin of color. She concludes by encouraging trainees to seek mentorship, remain persistent in pursuing dermatology, and maintain a strong sense of purpose in caring for patients whose dermatologic conditions significantly affect quality of life.

To learn more about SOCS’s programs and initiatives, visit 

Editor’s note: This summary was edited with the help of AI tools.

Podcasts

This March episode highlights one SOCS member’s journey in dermatology, covering clinical and research passions as well as lessons learned along the way.

Nicole Negbenebor, MD

Articles