Joan Paul, MD, MPH, DTMH

If you’ve spent any time reading trustworthy articles about psoriasis, eczema, or other skin
conditions on major U.S. health sites, there’s a good chance you’ve already “met” Joan Paul,
MD, MPH, DTMH you just didn’t realize it. Behind the scenes, she’s the board-certified
dermatologist quietly making sure that what you read about skin is accurate, inclusive, and
grounded in real science rather than internet myths.

With training in dermatology, public health, and tropical medicine, plus hands-on experience
on multiple continents, Dr. Paul brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and global
perspective. She treats complex skin disease, advocates for people with skin of color, and
reviews articles for some of the largest health platforms in the United States. All of this
makes her a key name to know in modern dermatology.

Who Is Joan Paul, MD, MPH, DTMH?

Dr. Joan Paul is an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) board-certified dermatologist
who specializes in psoriasis, skin cancer, skin of color, and global health. She has served as
a medical reviewer and advisor for major health brands such as Healthline, Medical News Today,
Greatist, Psych Central, Healthgrades, and Optum’s medical affairs programs, lending her
expertise to articles, treatment explainers, and patient-facing guides.

Beyond the clinic and the screen, she has completed seven medical missions in countries
including Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Malawi, Uganda, India, and Botswana. That kind
of international work is unusual even among global health–minded physicians and reflects a
long-standing commitment to bringing dermatologic care and education to communities that may
not have easy access to specialists.

On a professional level, her resume checks all the boxes: rigorous training, publications,
academic appointments, and awards for clinical excellence. On a human level, her work reveals
a clear theme: making sure people of all skin tones and backgrounds get care and information
they can actually use.

Education and Training: A Global Path to Dermatology

From Liberal Arts to Medical School

Dr. Paul’s journey started with a strong foundation in the sciences and the humanities.
She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Siena College, graduating summa cum laude with
a double major in biology and psychology. That combination hard science plus an understanding
of human behavior is a solid preview of how she approaches medicine today: evidence-based,
but deeply aware that health decisions happen in the real world, not just in textbooks.

She went on to earn her medical degree (MD) from Albany Medical College, where she received
multiple academic recognitions and scholarships. Early honors and awards often signal both
academic strength and sustained effort; in her case, they also foreshadowed a career that would
blend excellence with service.

Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Before specializing in dermatology, Dr. Paul broadened her lens with advanced training in
public health and tropical medicine. She obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, focusing on global health. This kind of training
looks beyond individual patients to things like disease patterns, health systems, and the
social factors that shape who gets sick and who gets care.

She then completed a Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (DTMH) at the London School of
Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. This program zeroes in on infections and conditions that
disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, including parasitic diseases,
vector-borne infections, and skin manifestations of systemic illnesses. Tropical medicine may
sound far removed from a typical U.S. dermatology clinic, but in practice it means she’s
comfortable diagnosing and treating skin problems that appear in travelers, migrants, or people
with complex infectious histories.

Dermatology Residency and Leadership

Dr. Paul completed her dermatology residency at Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, where she
served as chief resident in her final year. Residency in dermatology is highly competitive, and
a chief position reflects both clinical competence and leadership skills. During this time,
she participated in research and published case reports on conditions ranging from Laugier–Hunziker
syndrome to lymphoma presenting with unusual skin findings. Those publications show a particular
interest in rare or challenging diagnoses the kinds of cases that make dermatology both
difficult and fascinating.

She has since held clinical roles in multiple states, including New Hampshire, California, and
Georgia, and an assistant professor appointment within a dermatology department affiliated with
Kaiser Permanente and academic institutions. Her career path bridges academic medicine, group
practice, and digital health a combination that gives her a wide-angle view of how people
actually experience the healthcare system.

Clinical Focus: Psoriasis, Eczema, Skin Cancer, and Skin of Color

If you skim through the articles Dr. Paul has reviewed or contributed to, some themes appear
again and again: psoriasis, eczema (atopic dermatitis), alopecia areata, and skin cancer.
These are common conditions, but they’re also conditions that can dramatically affect quality
of life, self-esteem, and in some cases survival.

Psoriasis and Eczema Expertise

In psoriasis, she weighs in on topics like topical treatments, systemic medications, and
biologic therapies explaining in plain language how newer drugs work, what side effects
patients should know about, and how to combine lifestyle strategies with medical treatment.
Her commentary often emphasizes realistic expectations: psoriasis can be controlled, but it
usually requires individualized strategies and ongoing adjustments rather than a single
“miracle cure.”

With eczema, Dr. Paul has addressed everything from bacterial infections complicating eczema
flares to when it might be time to try a biologic medication or systemic immunomodulator.
She explains how chronic inflammation disrupts the skin barrier, making it easier for bacteria
like Staphylococcus aureus to cause infection, and why managing triggers, moisture,
and gentle skin care is just as important as prescription creams in many cases.

Skin Cancer and Preventive Care

Skin cancer is another major focus. Board-certified dermatologists like Dr. Paul are on the
front lines of screening, diagnosing, and treating everything from common basal cell carcinomas
to more dangerous melanomas. Her public-facing work often includes explaining warning signs
(like changing moles), clarifying when to see a dermatologist, and emphasizing everyday
prevention strategies think sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, and not pretending that the
midday beach sun “doesn’t really count.”

Advocacy for Skin of Color

One of the most important aspects of Dr. Paul’s work is her emphasis on skin of color.
Historically, dermatology training and textbooks have focused heavily on lighter skin tones,
which can delay diagnoses in people with darker skin and contribute to health inequities.

By specializing in skin of color and publishing case reports involving pigmentary disorders
and oral or acral macules, she helps expand the visual library of what skin disease looks like
across the spectrum of human skin. In her educational content, she frequently notes that
conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or infections may appear differently on brown and Black
skin than on the pale images people often see online. For patients, that kind of visibility
can be both medically crucial and emotionally validating.

Global Health, Missions, and Tropical Skin Disease

Dr. Paul’s MPH and DTMH are not just decorative letters after her name they show up in how
and where she practices. She has completed at least seven international medical missions in
Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Malawi, Uganda, India, and Botswana. In these settings,
dermatologists encounter a mix of familiar conditions (like eczema and fungal infections) and
diseases that are rare in high-income countries, including certain parasitic skin conditions,
leprosy, and cutaneous manifestations of systemic infections.

Working in these environments means adapting to limited resources, improvising treatment plans
when the ideal medication isn’t available, and teaching local clinicians strategies that remain
practical after the visiting team leaves. It also reinforces a public health mindset: prevention,
community education, and sustainable systems matter just as much as individual clinic visits.

Her training in tropical medicine is especially relevant as global travel increases and
migrations shift disease patterns. A patient in New York or California may present with a skin
eruption tied to a trip abroad, a refugee’s prior exposure, or an infection that’s uncommon in
local practice. Clinicians like Dr. Paul, who are comfortable navigating both dermatology and
global infectious disease, help bridge that gap.

Research and Academic Contributions

While many people know Dr. Paul as a medical reviewer for consumer health content, she also
has a track record of scholarly work in dermatology. Her publications include case reports and
articles on:

• Laugier–Hunziker syndrome, a rare pigmentary condition affecting the lips
  and acral skin, which can mimic more serious systemic diseases and therefore needs careful
  evaluation.
• Secondary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma presenting as lipoatrophy
  in a patient with hepatitis C, highlighting how subtle skin changes can signal underlying
  hematologic disease.
• Unusual presentations of Kaposi sarcoma and other complex dermatoses,
  particularly in immunocompromised patients.

These kinds of academic reports serve several purposes. They help other physicians recognize
atypical presentations, expand the documented range of what certain diseases can look like, and
remind clinicians to think broadly when skin findings don’t fit the usual pattern. For medical
trainees and early-career dermatologists, they’re also a reminder that paying close attention
to “weird” cases can push the field forward.

Medical Reviewer and Digital Health Educator

Many patients first encounter Dr. Paul not in an exam room but in the “Medically reviewed by…”
line under an article. She serves as a reviewer or advisor for multiple major U.S. health
outlets, including:

• Healthline and its network of condition-specific resources
• Medical News Today
• Greatist
• Psych Central
• Healthgrades
• Optum’s medical affairs team and other health platforms

In this role, she doesn’t just check spelling or approve catchy headlines. Medical reviewers
verify that the content lines up with current clinical evidence, uses appropriate terminology,
and explains risks and benefits clearly. They may suggest clarifications, correct outdated
recommendations, or flag misleading claims before an article ever goes live.

For readers, that invisible labor matters. It means that when you’re Googling “Is eczema an
autoimmune disease?” or “Should I try a biologic for psoriasis?” at 2:00 a.m., the article you
land on is far more likely to reflect real-world dermatology practice rather than an
influencer’s opinion. For clinicians, it helps ensure that online content supports, rather than
undermines, the conversations happening in the exam room.

Award-Winning Care and Quality Improvement

Dr. Paul’s career includes recognition not just from academic institutions but also from the
patients and teams she’s worked with. She has received honors such as the Members Choice Award
at Kaiser Permanente a patient-nominated award for clinical excellence and earlier
academic awards dating back to college and medical school.

She has also completed Six Sigma Yellow Belt training, a quality-improvement framework that
focuses on reducing errors and increasing reliability in complex systems. In healthcare, those
principles can apply to everything from streamlining clinic workflows to improving how biopsy
results are tracked and communicated. It’s one more hint that she thinks in terms of systems,
not just isolated patient encounters.

Why Dr. Joan Paul’s Work Matters for Patients

For people living with chronic skin conditions, the difference between chaos and control often
comes down to having the right team and the right information. Dr. Paul’s work touches both.

As a clinician, she brings expertise in complex medical dermatology, skin cancer, and skin of
color to her patient visits. As a public health–trained physician, she recognizes the role of
social determinants, access, and education. As a global health practitioner, she’s used to
solving problems in resource-limited settings. And as a medical reviewer, she helps shape the
online health content that millions of people rely on every month.

In a world where misinformation travels fast and skin concerns can be deeply personal, that
blend of skills is incredibly valuable. Whether she’s discussing biologic options for eczema,
evaluating a suspicious mole, or editing a health article so it better reflects patients with
darker skin tones, the through line is the same: clear, accurate, and compassionate care.

Experiences and Reflections Inspired by Dr. Paul’s Work

To understand the impact of a physician like Dr. Joan Paul, it helps to zoom in on the kinds
experiences patients and communities might have with a dermatologist who carries her blend of
training and values. While the following scenarios are illustrative rather than direct case
reports, they show how her expertise can play out in real life.

A Patient with “Just Dry Skin”

Imagine a middle-aged office worker who has spent years brushing off their symptoms as “just
dry skin.” Their arms itch constantly, their sleep is fractured by scratching, and drugstore
creams barely make a dent. They finally land on an article medically reviewed by Dr. Paul that
explains the difference between simple dryness and eczema, how impaired skin-barrier function
invites bacterial infections, and why it’s important to see a dermatologist rather than
self-treat forever.

That article becomes the nudge they need to schedule an appointment. In clinic, a dermatologist
with a similar approach to Dr. Paul doesn’t just prescribe a steroid cream and send them on
their way. Instead, they talk through trigger management, daily skin-care routines, and what to
watch for if an infection develops. They might discuss newer biologic or targeted therapies if
the eczema is moderate to severe. The patient leaves not only with medication, but with a plan
that finally makes sense and the reassurance that their experience is valid, not “overreacting.”

Seeing Skin of Color Represented

Now picture a teenager with medium or dark skin who has been told that psoriasis “doesn’t
really happen” in people who look like them. Their plaques appear more violaceous or deep brown
than the classic bright red they’ve seen in online images, so they’re dismissed or misdiagnosed.

When they come across an article reviewed by a dermatologist who specializes in skin of color,
the photos and descriptions finally match what they see in the mirror. They read that psoriasis
can absolutely occur on darker skin, that it may look different from textbook images, and that
delayed diagnosis is a known problem that dermatologists are working to fix. That recognition
alone can reduce stigma and encourage them to seek specialist care earlier which, in turn,
can prevent years of unnecessary suffering.

Global Health Lessons at Home

A traveler returns from a months-long volunteer trip in sub-Saharan Africa with a strange rash
on their legs. Multiple urgent care visits result in a quick prescription for antifungal
creams, but the problem persists. When they finally see a dermatologist with tropical medicine
training, the history of travel, environmental exposure, and timing immediately expand the
diagnostic possibilities. Instead of a one-size-fits-all assumption, the clinician considers
parasitic infections, unusual arthropod reactions, and other conditions that might be rare
locally but common in the region they visited.

That global perspective is exactly what additional training like a DTMH provides. It protects
patients from the “if I haven’t seen it, it doesn’t exist” trap and underscores the reality
that, in an interconnected world, local practice needs global awareness.

Better Online Health Information for Everyone

Finally, think about the millions of people who never meet Dr. Paul but still benefit from her
work. They’re searching for “best treatments for alopecia areata,” “is eczema an autoimmune
disease,” or “when to try a biologic for psoriasis.” They click on an article she has reviewed,
skim the key takeaways, and head into their next appointment more prepared to ask specific
questions.

That behind-the-scenes influence is easy to overlook, but it shapes how patients and
clinicians communicate. Clear explanations of risks, benefits, and reasonable expectations can
turn a rushed 15-minute appointment into a collaborative conversation rather than a confusing
monologue. The ripple effect is huge: more informed patients, more efficient visits, and
treatment plans that people are actually willing and able to follow.

Taken together, these experiences show why a physician like Joan Paul, MD, MPH, DTMH matters
far beyond her own patient panel. Through clinical care, global health work, academic
publications, and meticulous medical review of digital content, she helps reshape what
dermatology looks like and who it serves.

Conclusion

Titles like MD, MPH, and DTMH can feel abstract until you see how they translate into real
people’s lives. In Dr. Joan Paul’s case, they add up to a dermatologist who brings medical,
public health, and global perspectives to every part of her work. She is at once a clinician,
an educator, a global health practitioner, and a guardian of accurate online health
information.

For patients dealing with chronic skin disease, for communities historically overlooked in
dermatology, and for anyone who relies on the internet to make sense of their symptoms, that
combination is more than impressive it’s genuinely empowering.