Dr. Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, WCC: A Visionary Leader in Dermatology & Cosmetic NP Entrepreneurship
Dr. Kimberly Madison is a Board-Certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience across the healthcare industry. Her journey, marked by obtaining multiple degrees in nursing and prior studies in biology and biomedical engineering, provides a unique and critical lens through which she views the evolving healthcare landscape. She is a staunch advocate for continuous education, though she openly critiques the industry's traditional educational models, particularly regarding student loan debt and the limitations of "patient-care school" that don't fully prepare NPs for diverse roles or entrepreneurship. Dr. Madison is also a proud member of an AI Think Tank, actively shaping the future of technology in healthcare.
Core Business & Mission:
Dr. Madison is the Founder of
Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research™. Her tagline, "It is not only our practice authority that needs to expand, it is our mind," encapsulates her core mission: to empower Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in dermatology and aesthetics to build legally sound, ethically grounded, and financially fulfilling careers through dedicated education, research, entrepreneurship, and media engagement.
Key Focus Areas & Initiatives: Mahogany Dermatology addresses critical gaps in the industry by:
Education & Innovation: Providing clinical guides, training programs, and leveraging cutting-edge AI/AR-enhanced education to close gaps in preceptorship and clinical care, particularly where traditional nursing education falls short. This year, Dr. Madison also launched the
Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research™ internship, joined by Jade Trevino, BSN, to further cultivate future leaders.
Skin of Color Advocacy: Championing culturally appropriate dermatology education and diagnostic support for
diverse skin tones, recognizing the severe disparities and lack of adequate training in this area.
Entrepreneurial Support: Offering strategic guidance for launching and scaling NP-led businesses, emphasizing modern technology, repeatable income models (especially B2B opportunities), and fostering financial fluency. She believes in the "trickle-down effect," similar to Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): when NP business owners thrive, patients gain access to needed care.
Research & Thought Leadership: Actively engaging in peer-reviewed research, editorial work, and academic mentorship to advance the field and position NPs as Key Authorities.
Digital Fluency: Equipping nurse entrepreneurs with skills to leverage digital tools, platforms, and automation to optimize clinical and business workflows, moving beyond traditional marketing. Dr. Madison also leads the
Alliance of Cosmetic Nurse Practitioners™ (ACNP), a professional membership community fostering career growth, business education, mentorship, and networking for NPs specializing in cosmetics and entrepreneurship. She also co-hosts
The Melanin Initiative (TMI) podcast, dedicated to simplifying complex health information and elevating the expertise of nurses as clinicians and entrepreneurs.
Extensive Authorship & Advisory Roles:
Dr. Madison is a prolific author and influential voice in the field. She has published
over 100 articles on the Mahogany Dermatology blog and released
over 100 episodes on The Melanin Initiative podcast, consistently delivering valuable insights. She is a
featured author for the Dermatology Nurses Association's member newsletter, FOCUS, covering vital topics such as
CCCA (Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia), aesthetics in skin of color, and the impact of AI. She sits on the
Hair for You Advisory Board at Children's Hospital, actively helping to establish nursing competencies for assessing and treating hair and scalp conditions. She is on the
Advisory Board for the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology's (JCAD) NP + PA Perspectives in Dermatology supplement, contributing to peer-reviewed discourse.
Recent Publications:
Dr. Madison is a published author and thought leader, contributing significantly to the discourse in dermatology nursing and entrepreneurship:
Nursing Aesthetics: An Introductory Guide for Nurse Practitioners & Entrepreneurs: This book offers a transformative roadmap for NP entrepreneurs (in training or practice) to build ethical, profitable businesses grounded in science and integrity, helping them build "brick by brick" with limited time and capital.
From Bedside to Dermatology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Nurses: The ultimate e-book for nurses looking to break into the field of dermatology. This comprehensive guide, inspired by common questions, equips nurses with actionable steps they won't learn in nursing school to meet the criteria for their first job in dermatology, whether aspiring to be a dermatology nurse, injector, or NP. It contains over 70 pages, including a resume/CV checklist, shadowing advice, social media presence guidance, job announcements, book recommendations, dermatology nurse competencies, certification info, and guidance for medical, surgical, and cosmetic nurses.
Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Starter-Kit: This digital guide is packed with resources to introduce aspiring NPs to dermatology, connect them with a community, and provide mentorship from experts. Say goodbye to endless internet searches and start confidently. This 20+ page e-book includes book recommendations, journals & organizations, conferences, in-person & online programs, surgical & aesthetic training, and guidance for medical, surgical, and cosmetic nurses.
The State of Nursing Education: Pathways, Purpose, and the Future of Cosmetic & Dermatology Practice, the 2025 Melanated Paper: A first-of-its-kind comprehensive guide in dermatology nursing, designed to transform confusion into clarity and confidence. It clarifies educational pathways (MD, NP, PA), details nursing education, provides insight into aesthetic practice, and unveils entrepreneurial opportunities, serving as a love letter to validate and elevate the nursing profession.
"Improving Diversity in Dermatology Nursing Education" (DNPs of Color Magazine, Inaugural Issue): This article explores critical gaps in diversity and skin of color education, highlights the NP's role in bridging physician shortages, and emphasizes the necessity of mentorship, digital fluency, and business acumen in dermatology training.
Core Perspective & Philosophy:
Dr. Madison believes in 9 Pillars Every Nurse Practitioner Should Master: P
atient care, personal well-being, professional development, financial literacy, research, policy, media, technology, and business. She advocates for a shift from being "good at doing multiple things" to "doing one thing exceptionally" to achieve mastery and profitability. Her perspective is rooted in the belief that NP entrepreneurs can fill critical gaps in the healthcare industry faster and more practically than traditional systems. She emphasizes
Provider-Centered Practice, advocating for the well-being of healthcare professionals (as nurses are patients too), and believes in fostering a culture of abundance over scarcity, promoting open sharing and collaboration. She champions the idea of getting paid for what you know and have, without needing additional certifications or degrees.
Key Challenges Addressed/Experienced:
Dr. Madison's work is driven by addressing significant challenges she and her peers face: student loan debt, lack of standardized guidance/mentorship, insufficient business acumen in nursing education, competitive markets & client attraction, burnout, digital/tech overwhelm, disparities in care/education for skin of color, preceptor shortage, and the underestimation of NP value.
Ultimate Mission & Impact:
Dr. Madison's ultimate goal is to empower Nurse Practitioner entrepreneurs to build resilient, ethical, and profitable businesses that not only achieve personal fulfillment but also significantly increase access to high-quality, culturally appropriate dermatology care, particularly for communities of color and in provider shortage areas, both domestically and globally (with a special interest in fostering partnerships in Africa). She aims to transform the industry by fostering a collective of NPs who lead with confidence, impact, and a legacy of positive change.