From medical hair loss to skin cancer, a group of Milwaukee-area dermatologists worked to help people in the city’s Black community get treatment early.
At popular barbershop Gee’s Clippers, Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin staff offered visitors free skin, hair, and nail screenings on Saturday, Feb. 18, for the third year in a row.
“I feel good coming here,” visitor Arlyn Lacking said. “I’m more comfortable coming here than having to go to an actual regular doctor’s office.”
Community Outreach Nurse Jasmine Johnikin said the event’s goal was to bring care directly to the community, particularly those without insurance, and help them understand the importance of routine screenings.
“People do not take their skin, their hair, or their nails seriously,” Johnikin said. “They’re like ‘Oh we’re black. We have melanin. We don’t have anything to worry about’ but in fact, we do have things that we should consider.”
Assistant Professor with Froedtert MCW Dr. Shola Vaughn said screenings like the one at Gee’s are especially important because dermatological conditions often go undiagnosed for people of color.