We’re shining the ProjectIMPACT Spotlight on Dr. Oyetewa Oyerinde, the Director of the Skin of Color Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, a leader making a significant impact in healthcare. Dr. Oyerinde is interviewed by Chinenye Onejeme, a 4th-year medical student at The University of Texas Medical Branch and and VisualDx Student Advisory Board member.
How would you describe your journey to medicine?
Dr. Oyerinde: My desire to become a doctor started at a young age. I was an avid reader, and books by notable figures like Ben Carson initially sparked my interest in pediatric neurosurgery. Growing up, my mother encouraged reading over television, which developed my love for books. Throughout college, I remained committed to pursuing medicine, though my focus gradually shifted towards pediatrics. Working as a nanny during college allowed me to spend time with children, but I also became aware of the challenges of dealing with parents, prompting me to explore other specialties as I applied to medical school.
During the application process, I became interested in adolescent healthcare and considered Ob-GYN as a good fit. After my first year at the University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC) medical school, I engaged in Ob-GYN research and community health initiatives. However, after my Ob-GYN rotation in my third year, I realized it wasn’t for me. Similarly, a two-week dermatology rotation left me unsure about that field as well, and I began to feel uncertain about my career path.
In my first year of medical school, representatives from the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program introduced a research opportunity. Initially hesitant about prolonging my journey to residency, I applied, following the advice to prioritize mentorship over the specific project. I I was accepted into the program and worked on a research project focused on “Tuberous Sclerosis Complex” under the guidance of a dermatologist and pulmonologist in Bethesda, MD, between my third and fourth years. Being near several dermatology programs allowed me to attend grand rounds and shadow dermatologists, ultimately solidifying my interest in the field and the impact I could make in dermatology.
Can you describe your current job and your favorite aspects of it?
Dr. Oyerinde: As the founder and director of the Skin of Color (SOC) Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, I chose Baylor specifically to establish this clinic. During my job search, I had two non-negotiables:
- founding a clinic focused on SOC and
- taking time off before starting work.
Additionally, I sought a location with a robust patient population for recruitment, and fortunately, Baylor’s Chair was keen on my initiative.
I assumed this position in April 2023, though I had completed residency over two years prior. What excites me most is helping Black women with hair loss. Many of my patients had seen dermatologists before but were told their hair loss couldn’t be managed or had received ineffective treatments. I hesitate to solely blame dermatologists—as education surrounding hair loss is limited—and there are also cultural and lifestyle disparities.
In my clinic, I see patients from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, exposing me to a wide spectrum of hair textures. I love treating these patients and educating residents and medical students on managing various hair disorders. It makes my day when residents text me after successfully treating a hair disorder thanks to something they learned from me.
What has been your experience working in a medical setting as a woman of color?
Dr. Oyerinde: It varies depending on which stage of my medical journey we are discussing. During medical school at UIC, I was fortunate to experience a diverse class with friends from various backgrounds. UIC prioritized diversity and equitable care, which was a pleasant surprise I had not anticipated before I enrolled.
Transitioning to residency at Harvard’s dermatology program, I found myself in a unique position. While I was not the first Black resident in the program’s history, I had been the only Black resident for many years. However, what stood out to me was the genuine willingness of my program and program director to address this imbalance. As I spent time in the program and on the admissions committee, I came to understand that the scarcity of Black residents was not necessarily due to the program’s recruitment priorities, but was also due to the fact that many Black residents were hesitant to relocate to Boston. There is often more to the situation than meets the eye, with many factors at play behind the scenes. Today, it is heartening to note that there are now multiple Black dermatology residents at Harvard, and it is nice to see this positive shift.
My residency also coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, during which racial injustice took center stage. As the only Black resident, I got numerous questions about handling such issues and addressing them appropriately. It felt overwhelming and uncomfortable to feel like the “spokesperson” for Black people, but I commended my program for initiating these discussions. My residency experiences proved to be valuable learning experiences overall.
Now, as the only Black physician in my department, I am grateful for the opportunity to provide specialized care to all patient groups, particularly Black women who often feel they do not receive the best care from dermatologists. While there are countless exceptional dermatologists, patients often feel more at ease with providers who share their cultural background or appearance, fostering a sense of understanding.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in reducing bias in healthcare?
Dr. Oyerinde: This is a tough question as there are so many challenges.
At the end of the day, doctors need real-world experience with a variety of patients, whether it be geographically, program-wise, or insurance-wise.
Generally speaking, someone who trains in Detroit, Philadelphia, or D.C., is probably going to be better at reducing their bias or putting their bias aside as they have seen a wide variety of patients compared to someone who trained in a less diverse region. This does not mean the physician who trained without a lot of variety is a bad person, it just means that throughout their training they did not get to see a wide range of cultures, so when they are faced with one person from a culture they are unfamiliar with, they have to draw on their preconceived notions about said culture and make a decision.
However, a certain degree of bias is necessary for optimal care delivery. Take for instance, a scenario where a patient exhibits slurred speech and is leaning to one side. In such a situation, the priority would be to address the immediate concerns, such as conducting a neurological assessment or a drug screen, rather than investigating unrelated issues like hip discomfort. Thus, there is some benefit to assessing a patient based on initial observations. However, it is crucial to temper this instinctive response with a consideration of what truly matters for the patient’s well-being.
Achieving this balance is very challenging without sufficient practice and guidance from experienced mentors. This is why I am extremely happy that I am at an academic center because I am able to be that guide and teacher for my residents and medical students. I always teach my residents and students the importance of asking questions rather than assuming in order to get objective data that is important to treating patients.
What or who inspires you?
Dr. Oyerinde: I have so many inspirations depending on what part of life we are talking about. If we are talking about dermatology specifically, I have to name two: Dr. Ginette Okoye and Dr. Crystal Aguh. I always consider Dr. Okoye as my “sponsor,” and I always tell students there is difference between an advisor, a mentor, and a sponsor. A sponsor is a person in a position of power that actively uplifts you while mentoring you. Mentors help to guide you and give you personalized advice, and anyone who gives you any advice can be considered an advisor. From my first meeting with Dr. Okoye as a medical student, she gave me personalized advice and guidance and provided opportunities and resources to help me succeed.
During my residency, I completed a rotation with Dr. Aguh at John’s Hopkins. I consider her to be the best public speaker in the field of dermatology and aspire to her level of expertise. She continues to motivate me to teach others about hair loss and I hold her in high esteem as a role model in the field.
Do you have any advice for underrepresented minority (URM) pre-medical and medical students navigating through this medicine?
Dr. Oyerinde: For aspiring URM pre-medical students, I encourage pursuing what genuinely interests you and getting good grades. While shadowing and research experiences can be beneficial, they are not necessarily mandatory. It is also important to maintain your hobbies and choose a major aligned with your passions. Ensure you fulfill all prerequisite courses as requirements may vary by program. Networking is invaluable, so consider attending events hosted by organizations like the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS).
As a URM medical student, clarity about your interests early on is advantageous, as it allows you get started early before clerkships. Ensure you enter medical school with a well thought-out plan to stay on track, and engage in leadership roles and community service from the outset. If your school lacks a specific interest group, consider establishing one. If research intrigues you, familiarize yourself with how studies work. Strive to be a well-rounded student, and compensate for weaknesses in one area with strengths in another, such as getting excellent clinical evaluations if you struggle to test well.
When reaching out to physicians for research opportunities, keep your email concise, highlight any shared interests, and attach your CV. Suggest potential research topics rather than simply inquiring about available projects, unless you are contacting a program known for providing research opportunities. Persistence is key, as responses will certainly not be immediate. Attend talks and conferences to network with individuals who share your interests, and follow up with them afterward. Effective networking can open doors to valuable opportunities.
How do you pledge to make an impact to improve health equity?
Dr. Oyerinde: For me, the three most important things are what I am doing with the clinic now, training residents and medical students, and community engagement. What our residents and medical students learn from our guidance as faculty is going to translate to how patients will be cared for in the next 10 years. Thus, my goal is to provide excellent training so that when they are in my position, they will be well-equipped to understand and respect cultural practices within diverse populations.
Lastly, I am passionate about patient education through community involvement. We host hair loss screenings and hair loss education initiatives, and we also had a festival last summer in the city where we discussed common causes of hair loss, educating the public on modifiable factors that may be contributing to their hair loss. Lastly, as we have limited data available on pigmentary skin disorders and hair loss prevention, and the appropriate frequency for skin cancer screenings in skin of color individuals, being involved in the community and having these discussions promotes equity as these patients now have the information regarding conditions that they would not have had otherwise.
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Oyerinde for generously sharing her experiences and for the impactful contributions she has made and continues to make in the field of dermatology. It has been a genuine pleasure to learn from you and to engage in this enlightening conversation together.
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