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

Welcome to Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color!

In this new episode of Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color, a podcast produced by HCPLive and hosted by Skin of Color Society (SOCS) 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 dermatology, 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 Skin of Color Society.

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