Vinod E. Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH, is affiliated with Brigham and Women's Hospital and specializes in Dermatology and Internal Medicine.

Vinod E. Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH

Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital spoke with 

’s editorial team on-site at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, and in a segment of the 

 spoke about advancing dermatologic education in terms of diversity.

During this interview, included as a segment of the podcast, Nambudiri spoke about the progress made in improving clinical education image diversity and remaining gaps in addressing conditions that disproportionately affect individuals with skin of color. Specifically, he spoke about the AAD Clinical Image Collection, launched in 2025, and its impact on these issues.

In the following Q&A summary, Nambudiri’s responses to inquiries by 

 reflected the increasing momentum in the dermatology space regarding both inclusivity and equity:

 We are on-site, live at the AAD 2026 Meeting in Denver, Colorado, here with Dr. Vinod Nambudiri, who is going to talk to us a little bit about some different topics today. Would you first describe a little bit about your background?

Thanks so much for having me here…I am a medical dermatologist based out of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and my clinical work spans medical dermatology as well as the care of patients in oncodermatology or cutaneous oncology. Outside of my clinical work, I also spend a lot of time thinking about medical education, overseeing our residency program for trainees in the Harvard combined dermatology residency system, and I do some administrative work in our hospital related to clinician well-being, as well as thinking about some of the factors that are at play there.

 We wanted to talk to you today about the AAD Clinical Image Collection, which is a topic we've discussed a bit before. Could you first go into a bit about the impetus for developing this collection and what kinds of gaps it was designed to fill?

Sure. The image collection is a several-year process in the making, and the AAD has historically been a wonderful leader in the space of education in dermatology, often viewed as sort of the gold standard of educational materials and products and resources for the training of dermatologists. [This is] both during their clinical training phase, but also lifelong. They also do a lot of work related to patient education materials and such. One of the gaps that was noted, not only in the AAD’s scope of medical education, but really in many forms of resources that exist and particularly dermatology textbooks and other kind of reference materials for educating dermatologists about skin disease, is that there was a real lack of diversity of representation within the teaching materials, within these clinical images.

In particular, one of the things that was lacking was a spectrum of skin tones or skin colors in which various clinical conditions were presented. And in fact, in some cases where skin tones or skin colors were overrepresented disproportionately, that could lead to potential downstream consequences for dermatologists or other physicians having gaps in their knowledge about how diseases present in a variety of skin tones and skin colors. So, with that impetus of really wanting to meet a need for the dermatologist's membership, that was recognized by dermatologists themselves. The Clinical Image Collection was set up by the AAD in order to help address that gap.

 How has the collection sort of grown since its launch in 2025?

We got things off the ground officially in January 2025 with sort of a soft launch, a little bit of buzz. Then by March of 2025, at the AAD in Orlando, at that time, we had our first official welcoming and launch event at that meeting, which was really fantastic. We have a work group of about 8 or 9 members that are involved. All of them are AAD members who are actively engaged in curating this collection. We're very fortunate to be partnering with Skin of Color Society, and they have representation in our work group as well to have inputs from a variety of dermatologists who are passionate about this work.

Since that time, we have grown tremendously. We started with a few dozen images in the collection. As of February of this year, just over a year after our launch, we have over 1800 images in our collection, over 3000 members who have accessed or created an account to access the AAD clinical image collection, and over 65,000 views of the images. So I think we've had tremendous growth in that one year. It's definitely been something that generated a fair amount of buzz within our specialty, and was really celebrated by the leadership of the AAD, which I think has helped champion it to a variety of our members, and has allowed it to grow through the contributions of individual AAD members themselves.

 What kind of images are included in the collection, and how can clinicians in dermatology use the collection?

 Fantastic question. We really are wide open in terms of diseases and morphologies. We want this to be a representative collection, meaning everything is fair game when an AAD member goes to submit a clinical photo or clinical image. They tag it to a specific diagnosis, and those diagnoses represent the full spectrum of dermatology. So we have pictures of inflammatory diseases like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hydratinitis, and alopecia, the spectrum of inflammatory diseases. We have pictures of skin malignancies, including melanomas, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and cutaneous lymphomas. We have pictures that represent chronic conditions in various states.

So, pre-treatment or post-treatment, we have images of infectious diseases of the skin, and so I'd say it really, truly represents a wide spectrum of disease and continues to grow. So those are a handful of the categories of diagnosis that are there. We also have every image in the collection tagged, not only by its diagnosis, but by its skin tone that it represents, essentially light, medium, or dark. That allows for a user to search through it for individual images based on those tagged diagnoses or skin tone, or even the relative age of the patient. Is this a pediatric patient? Is this an adult patient? So, we really hope to make this a usable, user-friendly platform or site for our members to be able to take advantage of.

We also wanted to ask who can use the collection?

 It's open to any and all AAD members. We hope that they are able to take those images and use them to educate, and really quite broadly across the scope of medicine and medical education. Whether that's their own trainees in the field of dermatology, whether it's medical students who are going into any different discipline, whether it is peers and colleagues in other specialties of medicine, maybe an emergency room physician who is diagnosing a rash, maybe an allergist that is diagnosing a drug reaction in the skin, any of these groups of individuals could really stand to benefit from additional clinical imaging that's been vetted and curated by dermatologists to represent disease across a spectrum of skin tones. So that's really the use case.

I know of colleagues who have used images from the collection in talks at the AAD. And that's a great kind of full circle moment here, of something that, like the membership identified that they needed, we created, pushed out to them, and then has now been used to, like, educate more members. I think that's sort of like a really nice, full-circle moment, and we're anticipating more of those as time comes.

What is your hope for expansion of the collection?

Well, some really exciting news on that front. We are, as I've mentioned, dependent upon members to really engage with us and donate images or upload images to the collection, and we've had really great uptake, hundreds of members who have thus far contributed. But we're very excited that we can announce or that we've been the recipient of a few large donations each, well over 1000 images that will allow us over the course of the next year, as we vet and process and digitize and upload all of these to have our goal over 10,000 of these uploaded into the collection as soon as we're able to so I think that really speaks to this exponential growth that we're able to achieve due to the support of our membership.

The quotes used in this Q&A summary were edited for the purposes of clarity.

Nambudiri V. Skin of Color Savvy: Updates on the AAD Clinical Image Collection, With Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH. HCPLive. April 14, 2026. Accessed April 29, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/skin-of-color-savvy-updates-aad-clinical-image-collection-vinod-nambudiri-md-mba-mph

Nambudiri V. How the AAD Clinical Image Collection Can Help Dermatologists, With Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH. HCPLive. April 16, 2026. Accessed April 29, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/how-aad-clinical-image-collection-can-help-dermatologists-vinod-nambudiri-md-mba-mph

Articles

Vinod Nambudiri outlines efforts to improve dermatologic diagnostic accuracy and equity through the AAD Clinical Image Collection, created to address underrepresentation of darker skin tones in teaching materials. Launched in early 2025 and curated by an 8–9 member workgroup with Skin of Color Society partnership, the resource expanded from dozens to >1,800 images, >3,000 users, and >65,000 views within a year. Images span inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic conditions, tagged by diagnosis, skin tone, age, and treatment state for searchable educational use.

This Q&A interview with Nambudiri covers the AAD Clinical Image Collection, launched in January 2025 to address diversity in dermatology education.



Q&A: How Dermatologists Can Utilize the AAD Clinical Image Collection, With Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH

What Changes Is AI Making in Dermatology? With Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH

2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 in Denver, following the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) Scientific Symposium, Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, spoke in the latest episode of the 

 on the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in dermatology alongside practical strategies to support clinician well-being.

Nambudiri emphasized that AI remains a topic of both enthusiasm and uncertainty within medicine, particularly as tools such as large language models and clinical workflow integrations become more widely accessible. He noted that, beyond general-use platforms, AI is increasingly being embedded into dermatology practice in ways that can meaningfully improve day-to-day efficiency. Among the most immediate applications are AI-powered scribe tools, which can assist with clinical documentation, a well-recognized contributor to physician burnout.

By reducing time spent on note-writing, these tools may allow dermatologists to redirect focus toward patient care. Similarly, Nambudiri pointed to emerging use of AI in managing patient communication, particularly through drafting responses to electronic health record messages. While not replacing clinician oversight, such tools can help streamline inbox management and reduce administrative burden, offering what he described as a “win-win” for both workflow efficiency and clinician well-being.

In addition to technological advancements, Nambudiri discussed key themes from a panel on physician wellness, underscoring the importance of individualized approaches to sustaining professional fulfillment. He highlighted the value of incorporating humor into daily practice as a means of maintaining perspective amid the inherent stressors of clinical work. Acknowledging moments of levity, he suggested, can help clinicians navigate the challenges of a demanding healthcare environment.

Nambudiri also stressed the importance of recognizing personal and professional limitations. He described the ability to acknowledge uncertainty, whether by telling a patient “I don’t know” or seeking input from colleagues, as a critical component of both effective care and personal resilience. Rather than diminishing physician confidence, he suggested that this transparency can strengthen the therapeutic relationship and support more thoughtful, collaborative decision-making.

Additional insights from the session included the role of habit formation, gratitude, and strong team dynamics in promoting well-being. Ultimately, Nambudiri framed clinician wellness as a highly individualized process, encouraging dermatologists to identify strategies that align with their own needs while continuing to adapt to an evolving clinical landscape shaped by innovations such as AI.

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

Videos

At the 2026 AAD Annual Meeting, Nambudiri spoke on various points, including how emerging AI tools may help reduce administrative burden in dermatology.

How the AAD Clinical Image Collection Can Help Dermatologists, With Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH

 brought forward a timely and clinically relevant discussion with Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, centered on advancing dermatologic care for diverse patient populations. The conversation highlighted both the progress made and the ongoing gaps in addressing conditions that disproportionately affect individuals with skin of color, with a particular emphasis on health equity, access to care, and emerging therapeutic strategies.

A central theme of Nambudiri’s discussion was the importance of recognizing how dermatologic diseases can present differently across skin tones, and how these variations can contribute to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. The speakers emphasized that improving clinician education remains critical, particularly in ensuring that providers are trained to identify subtle or atypical presentations in darker skin types. This gap in training continues to be a barrier to optimal care and underscores the need for more inclusive educational resources and clinical imagery.

The conversation also explored the psychosocial burden of dermatologic conditions in patients with skin of color, noting that visible skin diseases often carry significant stigma. This burden can be further compounded by cultural perceptions, societal pressures, and disparities in access to specialized care. As such, Nambudiri stressed the importance of culturally competent care and shared decision-making, ensuring that treatment plans align with patient preferences, expectations, and lived experiences.

Emerging therapies and innovations were another focal point, particularly in the context of conditions such as pigmentary disorders, inflammatory diseases, and hair disorders that are more prevalent or uniquely impactful in these populations. While new treatments are expanding the therapeutic landscape, the discussion underscored that clinical trial diversity remains insufficient. Increasing representation of patients with skin of color in research was identified as essential for generating data that are both generalizable and clinically meaningful.

In addition to therapeutic advancements, Nambudiri highlighted the role of community engagement and advocacy in driving change. Efforts to improve outreach, patient education, and trust in the healthcare system were noted as key components in addressing longstanding disparities. The integration of patient voices into both research and clinical practice was also emphasized as a means of ensuring more equitable and effective care delivery.

Overall, the discussion reflected a growing momentum within dermatology to prioritize inclusivity and equity. While meaningful strides have been made, the speakers acknowledged that sustained efforts are needed across education, research, and clinical practice to fully address disparities and improve outcomes for patients with skin of color.

Nambudiri discusses the AAD Clinical Image Collection, launched in January 2025 to address the lack of diverse representation in dermatology education.


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

Skin of Color Savvy: Updates on the AAD Clinical Image Collection, With Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH

, Vinod Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH, a medical dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and leader in dermatology education, spoke on-site at the 

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 in Denver about ongoing efforts to improve representation in clinical training resources, alongside emerging insights on artificial intelligence (AI) and physician well-being.

Nambudiri begins by outlining the development of the AAD’s clinical image collection, an initiative designed to address longstanding gaps in dermatologic education. Historically, many teaching materials have lacked sufficient diversity in skin tone representation, contributing to knowledge gaps in how diseases present across populations. The collection was created to provide a more inclusive and comprehensive visual resource, enabling clinicians to better recognize dermatologic conditions in patients with varying skin tones.

Since its initial launch in 2025, the collection has expanded rapidly, growing from a modest set of images to more than 1,800 curated clinical photographs within its first year. Thousands of dermatology professionals have accessed the platform, reflecting strong engagement from the field. Nambudiri describes the collection as spanning a wide spectrum of dermatologic conditions, including inflammatory diseases, skin cancers, infectious processes, and chronic disorders, with each image tagged by diagnosis, skin tone, and patient demographics. This structure allows for targeted searches and practical use in both clinical education and real-world diagnostic support.

The conversation also highlights the collaborative nature of the initiative, with contributions from dermatologists across the field and partnerships with organizations such as SOCS. Looking ahead, Nambudiri emphasizes plans for significant expansion, including large-scale image donations that could increase the database to more than 10,000 images, further strengthening its role as a key educational tool.

Nambudiri was asked to reflect on broader themes from his recent presentations, including the growing role of artificial intelligence in dermatology. He describes AI as both a source of excitement and uncertainty, noting its increasing integration into clinical workflows. Practical applications already in use include AI-assisted documentation tools designed to help reduce administrative burden and systems designed to streamline responses to patient messages. These technologies, he explains, have the potential to improve efficiency while allowing clinicians to focus more directly on patient care, with implications for both workflow optimization and physician well-being.

In discussing clinician wellness, Nambudiri underscores the importance of sustainable practices in a demanding field. He highlights the value of maintaining perspective through humor, recognizing personal limitations, and embracing collaborative problem-solving when faced with diagnostic uncertainty. Rather than viewing uncertainty as a shortcoming, he frames it as an opportunity to engage more thoughtfully with patients and colleagues.

The episode concludes by emphasizing both educational innovation and clinician well-being as critical to advancing equitable dermatologic care. By improving representation in training materials and thoughtfully integrating new technologies, dermatologists can enhance diagnostic accuracy, reduce disparities, and support a more sustainable and inclusive future for the specialty.

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

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

Podcasts

In this new episode of the Skin of Color Savvy podcast, Nambudiri speaks on-site at the AAD 2026 meeting in Denver about the clinical image collection.