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

In this segment from her interview on Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color, produced by HCPLive 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 dermatology.

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.

References

1. 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.