~10 minute read

Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research is a pioneering organization dedicated to advancing dermatology nursing education and research, with a special focus on skin of color. Our mission is to equip nurses and nurse practitioners with the knowledge, tools, and training needed to excel in dermatology while bridging critical gaps in education, clinical training, and business development.

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Our Key Initiatives:
✅ Expanding Access to Dermatology Education – Addressing the preceptor shortage and increasing training opportunities for nurses.
✅ Developing Medical Education Tools – Creating clinical guides, resources, and digital tools to help providers assess and treat skin of color at the point of care.
✅ Leveraging AI & AR in Training – Using artificial intelligence and augmented reality to enhance dermatology education and increase access to care in rural and global communities
✅ Supporting Nurses and Nurse Practitioners in Business – Helping clinicians build, operate, and scale their dermatology practices with strong business acumen and digital literacy.
✅ Contributing to Research & Thought Leadership – Engaging in peer-reviewed research, social media content creation, and professional collaborations to advance dermatology knowledge.

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For the remainder of the year, we'll be sharing our monthly reflections to include research initiatives, AI and organization tools, and communication strategies as we develop the Mahogany Dermatology Nurse Intern Framework. As an entrepreneur, I often say, if you are persistent and consistent your business will grow. When it grows, you will need help. When it comes to identifying help, you need a strategy so you can find the right people for your team and identify ways to invest in them and their future. I will be demonstrating what that looks like for me through my partnership and mentorship with Jade. I am a firm believer in the power and necessity of mentorship. I believe mentorship should be fruitful and be more purposeful than sharing a cup of coffee without an agenda. In my own experience, I have learned the most by doing the work - yes - even without clinical experience which is only one aspect of the value you can contribute to any relationship. As an entrepreneur, our time and capital are limited. Simultaneously, well-qualified people are looking for an opportunity, but no one will hire them because they lack the desired experience. This leaves the well-qualified person wondering how they can get experience if no one will hire them. We've all been there.

I saw an opportunity which led to the creation of the Mahogany Telederm Internship. While I share my time, intellectual property, resources, and network, Jade will help me with my primary mission: publish more articles and increase access to dermatology education for nurses and nurse practitioners with an emphasis on skin of color. Additionally, she will help me grow my business and execute proven strategies. Along the way, she'll continue to expand her dermatology nursing knowledge as it relates to clinical practice, research, and business. She will refine her business plan and begin to lay the foundation for it. We've already begun to identify potential partnerships and how to keep one another in business. Next week, we'll share our first monthly reflection. We've already had our first in-person meeting and she'll be at the Diversity in Dermatology 2025 Conference, we hope you'll join us for the entire journey!

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A Road Less Traveled: A Journey To Purpose in Dermatology

Intern, for me, seems like an unlikely title—a title I thought I would hear one of my college-aged sons use, not myself. Usually, interns are young adults at the beginning of their careers or still students. I am neither of those (right now). I come to you with over 10 years of experience in dermatology, having held several roles. This path I’ve chosen to take as an intern is a little off the beaten road, but I’m not one to let traditional titles or nontraditional paths deter me from opportunities to be involved in a specialty I love.

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Allow me to introduce myself: I am Jade Dupree Trevino, RN, and I am excited to join Mahogany Dermatology as the first (of many) interns.
While many people shy away from nontraditional paths, this is not the first time I’ve taken one. Several years ago, at the age of 31, I enrolled in school to earn my bachelor’s degree in nursing. I waited until my twins were a little older and much more independent, but more importantly, I waited until it felt right for me. While most of my peers had earned their degrees and were well into their careers, I felt like I was starting over. There were times when I felt left behind by my peers or like what I had accomplished up to that point didn’t matter. It took me a long time to realize that none of that was true. Instead, every step I took—regardless of how it felt at the time—slowly propelled me and prepared me for a moment like this. Each step was necessary for me to figure out my purpose.

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Many may hear the term “internship” and think it’s a step backward or that, as a busy adult, they already have enough on their plate. But I recognized the great opportunity ahead of me. I applied to the Mahogany Dermatology internship program for the chance to learn in motion—by actually doing the work that moves the needle. This program is also an opportunity to learn from a passionate entrepreneur, Dr. Kimberly Madison, who has a strong desire to educate. In today’s world, where so many entrepreneurs create courses to sell their intellectual property, Dr. Madison has chosen to take the road less traveled, a nontraditional path, and for that, I am thankful.

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This opportunity came to me during a major life transition. I had worked in dermatology as a Dermatology Medical Assistant for 8 years and then as a Registered Nurse and Clinical Nurse Coordinator (CNC) for almost 4 years. In my last role as CNC, I was laid off from a well-known hospital in Houston, Texas. This career shift forced me to reflect on what I truly wanted and whether dermatology could still play a meaningful role in my life. A part of me wondered if my dermatology career was over because there aren’t many job opportunities for RNs in the dermatology space.

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That reflection taught me two things: First, I realized I needed to actively seek answers to my questions. I began researching entrepreneurial ways to stay connected to dermatology, which is how I found Mahogany Dermatology. Dr. Madison’s ideas about alternative and nontraditional pathways to dermatology resonated with me. Her platform showed me that there are many ways to make positive contributions to dermatology outside of traditional employment. This realization, combined with the benefits of the internship, made my decision to apply an easy one.

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Second—and more importantly—I learned that finding purpose is rarely straightforward but instead a journey walked one day at a time. My journey has been filled with twists and turns. I used to think my purpose would simply reveal itself to me, but I’ve come to understand that it unfolds gradually, often through moments of reflection and growth. I also assumed that purpose had to come from a hobby or leisure activity because, let’s be honest, who really loves “work”? I didn’t think dermatology could be part of my purpose because, to me, it was “just a job.” For years, I couldn’t find anything I loved enough to call a “passion,” and without passion, I couldn’t find purpose.

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Over time, I’ve realized that true passion lies at the intersection of three things:
1. What you’re good at.
2. What others recognize you’re good at.
3. What makes you happy.

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For me, only two things fit that description: dermatology (as you’ve probably guessed) and education. Teaching and sharing knowledge are woven into the fiber of my being, and they fuel my commitment to dermatology. As it turns out, I have unknowingly been walking towards my purpose for years—it was just disguised as “doing my job.” All the years I thought were wasted as a Dermatology Medical Assistant were actually purpose-full. All the years I spent educating patients and team members were definitely me walking in my purpose. Yes, those things were part of my job, but more importantly, they gave me space to improve and hone my knowledge and skills. These are the same skills I will use and build upon during this internship to help me move to the next level.

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Through this internship, I am looking forward to using the years of knowledge and experience I’ve gained to bring forth innovative ideas, help create more educational resources, and make dermatology more inclusive. I’m excited to advance the mission of Mahogany Dermatology while also expanding my knowledge of research, writing, technology, and business as they relate to dermatology. I am eager to share my new experiences and thoughts while developing novel perspectives based on everything I will learn.

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As I take you all on this journey with me, I encourage you to reflect on a few things:
1. Never be afraid to take the road less traveled—or as I like to call it, the nontraditional route. On that route, there is more space to spread your wings and fly.
2. Consider your own passions and purpose. What are you doing today that might feel like “just a job” but could actually be fueling your purpose? What are you good at that also makes you happy? Could that be your purpose?

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"I truly believe we each find our purpose by doing the work, staying focused, and remaining consistent." - J. Trevino, RN
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Over the next 12 months, you will have the opportunity to hear more about my story, follow my journey, and witness how my purpose continues to unfold. Perhaps through reading about my journey, you too will find your purpose in dermatology.

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Be well.

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Jade Dupree Trevino, RN

I am a dedicated dermatology professional with over a decade of experience as a Dermatology Medical Assistant, Registered Nurse, and Clinical Nurse Coordinator. Passionate about education and inclusivity in dermatology, I joined the Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research Internship to expand my knowledge and contribute to the field I love. Through this blog, I aim to share my journey as a source of inspiration for those exploring nontraditional paths in dermatology. I’m excited to help create innovative educational resources and encourage others to discover their purpose in this dynamic specialty.

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Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, WCC

I am a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, educator, and author dedicated to advancing dermatology nursing education and research with an emphasis on skin of color. As the founder of Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research, I aim to expand access to dermatology research, business acumen, and innovation using artificial intelligence and augmented reality while also leading professional groups and mentoring clinicians. Through engaging and informative social media content and peer-reviewed research, I empower nurses and healthcare professionals to excel in dermatology and improve patient care.

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