We’re shining the ProjectIMPACT Spotlight on Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd is interviewed by Dominique Revan, a student at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and VisualDx Student Advisory Board member.
Tell us a little about yourself: where you are from, where did you go to medical school/residency and why you decided to go into dermatology?
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: I grew up in South Florida, but I am originally from Jamaica. I went to Georgetown University in Washington D.C. for my undergraduate studies and loved my time there. I returned home to complete medical school and residency at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Dermatology captured my interest because it offers such variety. You can see people of all ages, and I love that dermatology encompasses a range of medical, surgical, and cosmetic specialties. The field is also fast-paced and constantly evolving with exciting research, making it a dynamic career choice.
Please describe your job and your favorite aspects of your current position:
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: I see patients in private practice and at the University of Miami where I serve as the director of the Skin of Color Division. At the University of Miami, I primarily see medical dermatology patients, while in private practice, I see cosmetic patients and participate in clinical research.
Outside of the office, I enjoy speaking regularly at national and international conferences. I also create educational social media content on skincare and dermatology to help increase the availability of this type of information online. I founded DermFriends, a platform and newsletter dedicated to skincare education for content creators or anyone interested in learning about skincare.
My favorite aspect of my job is the continual challenge. Juggling the different aspects of my work can be demanding, but I find it very rewarding.
What do you see are the biggest challenges in reducing bias in healthcare?
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: Increasing dermatology research in skin of color remains a challenge. As research in this area increases, we can better reduce bias in managing dermatologic disease in diverse populations. A strong emphasis on evidence-based medicine helps mitigate bias, but we need more data to achieve this.
By increasing research that includes diverse skin types and rigorously applying those findings, we can ensure more accurate diagnoses and appropriate care for our patients.
What are you currently working on that addresses health care equity?
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: One area I’m particularly passionate about is increasing participation of skin of color patients in clinical trials. Historically, these patients have been underrepresented, which can limit the development of treatments that work effectively for all skin types. By actively participating as an investigator in trials that prioritize diverse enrollment, I hope to contribute to a more equitable healthcare landscape, ensuring patients have access to the most effective treatments.
What are some of the ways in which students or residents can work to improve healthcare disparities and rebuild confidence in medicine for patients of color?
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: There are two ways students and residents can improve healthcare disparities and rebuild trust with patients of color:
- Focusing research on diseases that disproportionately affect these communities is crucial. This type of research can directly translate into better treatment options and improved health outcomes.
- Actively participating in community outreach can bridge the gap between underserved patients and the medical field. By engaging with communities of color, students and residents can build trust, address concerns, and increase healthcare literacy.
Even in conditions that disproportionately affect people of color, these populations are often significantly underrepresented in clinical trials. What change would you like to see in this area?
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: You’re absolutely right. Even for diseases that disproportionately affect skin of color, these populations are often underrepresented in clinical trials. To address this, we need to start by broadening the investigator pool for these trials. Including dermatologists who treat diverse patient populations will help ensure studies recruit patients from the communities most affected by the disease.
Additionally, incorporating inclusive study design is essential. This involves involving experts who can identify and reduce potential biases in recruitment criteria. For example, in some cosmetic trials, I have seen the broad exclusion criterion of “history of hyperpigmentation.” Most skin of color subjects have some history of hyperpigmentation, and this criteria may unnecessarily exclude subjects who would otherwise be good candidates.
By making these changes, we can ensure clinical trials are more representative of the general population and better understand how treatments work in different patient populations.
How do you pledge to make an impact to improve health equity?
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: I will continue to participate in research focusing on dermatological conditions common in skin of color. This type of research directly contributes to a better understanding of skin of color and can lead to improved treatment options. Additionally, I will continue to mentor students interested in dermatology, encouraging them to focus their research on diseases that disproportionately affect underserved communities. Finally, I will continue to participate in educational programs and share evidence-based treatment approaches for conditions affecting our skin of color patients.
This Project IMPACT blog series was created to highlight leaders who are making a positive impact in healthcare by reducing racial bias in medicine.