Biography

Dr. Ginette Okoye (née Hinds) is Professor and Chair of Dermatology at Howard University College of Medicine. Her areas of clinical and research expertise are in cutaneous disorders that disproportionately affect people with pigmented skin, including hidradenitis suppurativa, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and alopecia. Dr. Okoye left her native Trinidad & Tobago to attend Barry University, where she earned her BS degree. She then earned her Medical Degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed her dermatology residency training at Yale University, where she also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Okoye has published many scientific papers as well as a textbook on the science of textured hair (“The Fundamentals of Ethnic Hair”). She has been recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology with the 2023 Mentor of the Year Award, the 2021 Patient Care Hero Award, a Presidential Citation, and a Volunteerism Award. In 2014, the Mayor of Point Fortin, Trinidad (her hometown) recognized her with an award for academic achievement and contributions to medicine. Dr. Okoye serves on the Board of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation and is the Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Skin of Color Society. She serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of the National Medical Association and the British Journal of Dermatology. During the COVID19 pandemic, Dr. Okoye served as the Medical Lead for Howard University’s COVID19 Community Testing Initiative and the Medical Director of Howard University’s Employee COVID19 testing clinic.