Nationwide — Two sisters, Dr. Jacqueline Philips and Lorraine Phillips, have come collectively to launch Melanin Physician, the primary Black-owned telehealth service devoted completely to Black girls.
Constructed from each skilled experience and private conviction, their mission is straightforward however pressing: to deal with the healthcare disparities throughout the Black group that mainstream medication has lengthy neglected – beginning with entry to life-changing weight reduction therapies.
The sisters’ ardour for this work can be deeply private. After watching their mom, who struggled with diabetes and weight achieve, expertise a exceptional transformation with GLP-1 drugs, they noticed firsthand the life-changing potential of therapies that too typically stay out of attain for Black sufferers. That have strengthened their dedication to make sure extra girls of their group may entry the identical alternatives for higher well being.
Black girls face disproportionately excessive charges of weight problems and diabetes, with 57% labeled as overweight in comparison with 36% of White girls, and 12.7% identified with diabetes in comparison with 6.9% of White women¹. But regardless of greater medical want, Black sufferers are much less prone to be prescribed GLP-1 weight reduction drugs, even when clinically eligible².
“Since beginning Melanin Physician, we’ve spoken with numerous Black girls who had by no means heard of GLP-1 remedy from their medical doctors – or worse, had their questions dismissed beneath the belief they couldn’t afford it,” mentioned Lorraine Phillips, co-founder of Melanin Physician. As sisters, and as daughters who noticed our personal mom’s well being rework, we constructed this firm for girls like us – to ensure entry, solutions, and choices are lastly inside attain.”
By its direct-to-patient on-line platform, Melanin Physician connects sufferers with licensed clinicians, whereas additionally offering clear schooling on therapy choices akin to GLP-1 drugs. The corporate’s mannequin is constructed round transparency, affordability, and accessibility – eradicating systemic boundaries which have traditionally saved Black sufferers from receiving the care they deserve.“Our purpose is to take away the guesswork and confusion that always comes with navigating healthcare,” mentioned Dr. Jacqueline Philips, Chief Medical Officer of Melanin Physician. “Too typically, Black sufferers are unnoticed of conversations about the simplest therapies. At Melanin Physician, we’re dedicated to making sure sufferers not solely have entry to the fitting drugs, but additionally the schooling and steering they should make the very best choices for his or her well being.”
Sufferers are already seeing the impression. Robin Nettles, a present Melanin Physician affected person, shared: “I can inform that each facet of this program was designed with Black sufferers in thoughts. I really feel heard and seen. I don’t really feel like simply one other quantity, and I do know I’m receiving the very best take care of me – one thing I haven’t felt in a very long time.”
Past addressing well being inequities, the sisters are additionally dedicated to creating financial empowerment alternatives. Melanin Physician has pledged to rent Black clinicians and construct distant profession paths for Black well being professionals nationwide. Whereas the model is beginning with GLP-1 weight reduction drugs for Black girls, companies will quickly develop to welcome Black males too.
Melanin Physician is now accepting new sufferers nationwide by its digital platform. To be taught extra or to see in case you qualify for care, go to MelaninDoctor.com
AboutMelanin Physician is the primary telehealth service constructed completely for Black sufferers. Its mission is to shut the racial well being hole by offering inexpensive, accessible, and culturally competent take care of situations that disproportionately have an effect on Black communities. By centering illustration, belief, and empowerment, Melanin Physician is reimagining healthcare for a future the place Black well being is prioritized, not neglected.
Sources¹ Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). “Diabetes Information & Analysis.” https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
² Journal of the American School of Cardiology (JACC). “Disparities in GLP-1 Prescription Patterns.” https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.101819
For press inquiries, contact Dan Gillespie at dan@melanindoctor.com
