‍

Month 4: Mahogany Telederm Nurse Internship Reflection
By Dr. Kimberly Madison, DNP and Jade Trevino, BSN, RN

‍

Jade Trevino, RN
This month, we focused on activities that will help position both me and Dr. Madison as Key Authorities in Dermatology Nursing Education. We pitched ourselves as speakers for a conference and a podcast, submitted written work for publication, and explored new collaborations that reflect our values and areas of expertise. Each of these efforts is helping us build credibility, visibility, and alignment with the kind of work we want to be known for, not just clinically, but creatively and strategically.

The theme of putting myself out there showed up in a lot of ways this month. Here are a few things I did:

With the help (and gentle nudging) from Kimberly, I submitted my first-ever conference proposal, a pitch to speak on a panel about AI in dermatology. As soon as I read the email from Kimberly asking if I wanted to participate, I felt a wave of fear rush in. But what surprised me was that the fear wasn’t about being rejected. It was about being selected. The idea of standing in front of a crowd and having something worth listening to felt terrifying. But I’m starting to realize that fear is just part of the process of becoming more visible. A few weeks later, I received an update that I had been selected to join the panel. It’s exciting and scary all at once, but I’m grateful to have time to prepare, and I’ll definitely be leaning on Kimberly for guidance every step of the way.

I also challenged myself by sharing my business idea with both trusted colleagues and strangers.

I started by reaching out to six dermatologists I’ve previously worked with, sharing my idea and asking for feedback. This was something Kimberly suggested I do a couple of months ago, and I told her I’d think about it. It took some time to work up the courage, but I’m proud that I finally did it. Only two responded, but their feedback was honest and incredibly helpful. I’ve been afraid of people pointing out what could go wrong, but I’m learning to take those comments and use them to strengthen the weak spots. If I want this idea to work, I have to get comfortable hearing the tough stuff early.

Next, I used that momentum and newfound courage to ask strangers for their opinions. I posted a one-question poll in five different Facebook groups and got over 200 responses. That was surprising. I received both positive and negative feedback, which was okay. In the book Key Person of Influence, the author says it doesn’t matter what kind of response you get; what matters is that people are paying attention.

Later in the month, I did some cold outreach to dermatologists on LinkedIn to talk about a new research idea. One actually responded and hopped on a call with me. It’s still unclear if anything will come of it, but I’m glad I stepped out there. I also received a follow-up from a prominent leader in dermatology about an idea I pitched. Not only did they say yes, they loved it, and asked if I’d be interested in continuing to write and pursue a creative partnership. That still feels surreal.

Another highlight was getting to sit in on a brainstorming session between Dr. Madison and Ni-Ka Ford, a Certified Medical Illustrator. Watching them work through ideas in real time gave me a new perspective on how brand partnerships take shape. It was a behind-the-scenes look at the early stages of collaboration and a reminder that creative partnerships often start with simple conversations and shared values. This project will be part of a larger collaboration between Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research and Enlight Visuals.

One thing I didn’t accomplish was taking the dermatology nurse certification exam. It was a personal goal I set earlier in the year, and I’ve felt disappointed in myself for not following through. But I also know the time I’ve spent on other projects, building confidence, starting conversations, and creating content, has helped me grow in ways I didn’t plan for, but needed.

‍

Key Takeaways this Month:
Fear and growth often show up at the same time. I’m learning that discomfort can be a signal that I’m headed in the right direction.

Not everyone will respond, and not all feedback will be positive. But the ones who do respond can offer clarity and push my ideas forward.

Just because a goal isn’t checked off doesn’t mean I’m not progressing. Sometimes growth shows up in unexpected places.

‍

Challenges I Faced:
I didn’t follow through on studying for my certification and I’ve had to work through some internal disappointment about that.

Cold outreach was intimidating. It brought up fears of rejection and being perceived as unqualified, but I pushed through and started anyway.

Learning how to pitch myself and my ideas publicly is still new for me. I’m building that confidence one conversation at a time.

‍

‍Looking Ahead:

• I am committed to getting back on track with my certification studies and setting a clear test date.
• Im continuing to work on my systematic review, and I’m making great progress.
• I plan to explore an offer to be a blog chair and start thinking about my next article for submission.
• I’ll also keep sharing my business idea, because each time I do, I get a little more clear and a little more brave.

This month reminded me that showing up, even imperfectly, still counts. Progress isn’t always loud or flashy. Sometimes, it looks like quiet courage, small wins, and the decision to keep going.

‍

‍

Dr. Kimberly Madison, DNP

Building Our Own Tables
This past month felt like a masterclass in advancement. We kicked off the month with a bold, strategic move: pitching ourselves for public speaking opportunities. You'll soon hear us on podcasts and at national nursing conferences, marking the beginning of a long-term media tour. This isn't just about getting seen; it's about carving out a vital space in dermatology education to address gaps in nursing, business acumen, and digital innovation. We're not just asking for seats at the table, we're building entirely new ones.

When it come to writing her first peer-reviewed article, Jade gradually started to understand the benefits of completing an evidence table as one of the first areas to focus on, which will make it much easier to write the results, discussion, and limitation sections. This research isn't just academic; it's deeply personal, reflecting our shared clinical interests and a bigger-picture commitment to public health and access to care. We believe that nurse-led innovation, especially leveraging AI and AR, is a non-negotiable key to solving persistent workforce and access challenges in communities of color and rural areas. This piece lays that critical groundwork.

‍

Collaboration and Elevating Voices
Collaboration was a cornerstone in April. I continued exciting project discussions with Ni-Ka Ford, a Certified Medical Illustrator whose work beautifully bridges science and art. Our shared goal? To create visuals that truly empower providers. When we talk about the lack of diversity in dermatology, it begins with our didactic learning: textbooks and the images which help us conceptualize complex diseases and mechanisms of action. This is even more critical given that dermatology is a visual speciality where clinical confidence and critical thinking are proportional to repetition and exposure to a variety of challenges and presentations.

Jade truly stepped into a new level of visibility this month. I strongly encouraged her to document her entrepreneurial journey across multiple formats and platforms. Now, she's sharing lessons in real-time, thoughtfully building her personal brand, and modeling the kind of growth we all experience when we are persistent and consistent. She's a great example of the type of leadership that doesn't wait for permission.

Personally, it was an honor to speak to a group of young adults about my journey as a nurse and entrepreneur. I'll admit, finding the balance between storytelling and sharing my offerings felt like a puzzle at first. But through that experience, I crafted a framework that feels authentic, truly educational, and deeply empowering. It was a powerful reminder that mentorship and marketing aren't mutually exclusive; both can thrive in the same space when led by purpose. A huge thank you to Felicia Young, Regional Coordinator at Family, Inc. (parent company of Family Scholar House), for inviting me to pour into such a thoughtful and inspiring audience.

I also had the privilege of attending an advisory board meeting with Hair for You. As a reminder, this group of interdisciplinary clinicians sought to create national competencies for proper hair care for hospitalized adolescents and children of every ethnicity. Dr. Cheri Frey also sits on this board, a special opportunity for me given she's from my hometown, the DMV.  She is a board-certified dermatologist, assistant professor of dermatology at Howard University, and Chair of the dermatology section of the National Medical Association. Dr. Frey also practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology at Howard University in Washington, DC. Hearing about the research milestones and the powerful nurse-led impact from Dr. Renée Roberts-Turner and the team at Children’s National Hospital was genuinely energizing. There’s nothing more impactful than visionary nurses leading with intention and driving real change. The work they have done is nothing short of pioneering, and they're just getting started. Experiences like this, seeing how my voice has impact, have only cemented my love for nursing over the last 15 years and it's my wish for all my colleagues: step beyond the bedside and watch how much more you can save lives. Hear from Dr. Roberts-Turner here.

‍

‍

Scaling with Purpose and Community
‍My cohort and I completed the first 10 weeks of Your Biggest Launch Ever with Jasmine Star and her phenomenal team, and I have to be honest, I almost didn’t do it. I nearly talked myself out of joining, but I’m so glad I trusted my gut. This wasn’t just another business course, it was a transformational experience that redefined what launching means for a mission-driven brand like mine. Over the semester, I gained clarity, structure, and momentum, walking away with a personalized roadmap for growing Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research in a way that’s both strategic and sustainable. I learned how to craft messaging that speaks directly to Dermatology NPs and Aesthetic Nurse Entrepreneurs, how to build content and email strategies that convert without burnout, and how to implement systems that elevate both reach and revenue. But the biggest shift wasn’t tactical, it was mindset. I learned how to sell transformation, not just services. That’s a game-changer for NPs navigating clinical care, entrepreneurship, and the constant pressure to do it all. Selling is no longer about convincing, it’s about connecting. For the first time, I saw what’s possible when a nurse-led business leans into its purpose with a plan. We’re no longer hustling like a startup, we’re scaling like a legacy brand. The foundation for a 7- and 8-figure business is in motion, and I’m more committed than ever to centering dermatology nursing education, business acumen, and digital fluency in everything we build.

‍

Podcast Power

We also launched a brand-new podcast series, "Anatomy & Physiology" on The Melanin Initiative Podcast. Our aim is to help caregivers confidently talk to their children about their bodies, fostering better health literacy and cultivating healthy habits from a young age. Deep gratitude goes to Dr. Shannon Trotter, whose passionate advocacy and support helped bring this crucial vision to life. Dr. Trotter is a board-certified dermatologist, passionate about skin cancer, and the Founder and Host of Derm-It Trotter: Don't Swear About Skincare podcast.

Then, I had the honor of joining Chinelo A. Okoye, FNP-C, CPNP-PC, FIEL, on her incredible show, Nurse on Purpose, to talk about an issue that continues to weigh heavily on our profession, the lack of nurse representation in media. In this powerful episode, we explored the findings of the Woodhull Study Revisited and unpacked why nurses are still so often excluded from critical healthcare conversations. We discussed how nurses can begin showing up as experts not just at the bedside, but in the boardroom, on panels, and across public platforms. We also touched on the role of dermatology education, and why mentorship, research, and visibility are essential for advancing our field. Chinelo is doing extraordinary work to elevate the voices of nurses, and I’m deeply grateful for her platform and the meaningful conversations she’s leading. If you care about the future of nursing, you need to be subscribed to her show. Watch the episode here.

In one of my favorite moments this month, I had the pleasure of meeting 10th grader Emily Chow, founder of the Sunsun Podcast which she started to increase awareness amongst her peers about the importance of wearing sunscreen and decreasing the risk for skin cancer. It's adorable, each episode is less than 10 minutes long, but packed with must-hear content. Her voice is a powerful reminder that leadership isn't confined by age, degree, or title. It's about showing up, asking better questions, and courageously creating what you wish existed. Please follow and support her work.

Finally, I closed the month with a vibrant social media campaign to crowdsource the cover of my upcoming book, Nursing Aesthetics: An Introductory Guide for Nurse Practitioners & Entrepreneurs. The outpouring of votes and support from our incredible community moved me deeply. Whether you voted, commented, or shared, please know it meant everything. Thank you for walking this journey with me.

As we stepped into Month 5, our focus sharpened on partnership-building, solidifying brand authority, and meticulously setting the stage for our summer initiatives. We're not just learning here; we're leading. And the Mahogany Telederm Internship continues to prove, month after month, that when nurses are given the right tools, they don’t just participate in change, they are the catalysts for it.

‍

‍

My Key Takeaways:
Brave moves create bold momentum, especially when they’re backed by clarity, community, and consistency.

There’s power in imperfect action. You don’t need every detail figured out before you begin. Done is better than perfect.

Our community is growing because we’re willing to go first, share our work publicly, and mentor others along the way.

‍

‍

Articles Published on the Mahogany Dermatology Blog in April

-How Allergan’s Dream Initiative is Shaping the Future for Skin of Color in Aesthetics. Read it here.

-Reimagining Aesthetics for Nurse Practitioners. Read it here.

-Nursing Aesthetics: An Introductory Guide for Nurse Practitioners & Entrepreneurs. Read it here.

-Start Here: Resources for Nurse Practitioners in Aesthetic and Dermatology Practice. A “Start Here” guide to help RNs and NPs transition into dermatology, includes my most recommended resources to get you started! Read it here.

-Mahogany Dermatology Internship: When Fear Meets Momentum (March internship reflection article). Read it here.

‍

‍

References

Mahogany Dermatology Internship: When Fear Meets Momentum. March Reflection Article. Retrieved from here.

The Business of Dermatology: What We Learned in Month 2 from the Mahogany Telederm Nurse Internship. February Reflection Article. Retrieved from here.‍‍‍

Bridging the Gap in Dermatology Nursing: The Mahogany Dermatology Experience. January Reflection Article. Retrieved from here.

Finding Purpose in Dermatology: Jade Dupree Trevino’s Inspiring Journey. Introductory Article. Retrieved from here.

‍

‍

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.‍

‍

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.

‍