Jadé Olayinka, MD

About:

Jadé Olayinka is a PGY-1 incoming NYU Dermatology resident. She earned her medical degree at SUNY Downstate, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Society, the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and is a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. Committed to addressing health disparities with a focus on advocacy for skin of color, Dr. Olayinka served as the co-chair of the VisualDx Student Advisory Board and was a recipient of the National Medical Fellowships United Health Foundation Awards, through which she implemented free health education webinars and conducted skin of color research.

Why does representation matter to you?

I would not be where I am today, nor have a clear vision of where I want to be, if not for representation. My interest in dermatology was not able to solidify into a firm pursuit of a career until I saw people who looked like me practicing in the field. I am grateful for their trailblazing and I hope to inspire others in the same way they inspired me. Most importantly, patient outcomes will improve through the diversification of the field.

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of my sisters and the young women they are becoming. We have been each others’ support system through tough times in life and there is nothing that makes me prouder than seeing them follow their dreams.

What advice would you give to someone inspired by you?

Achieving a huge goal is often the product of a thousand small decisions you made along the way— nights spent studying/working, cold emails, nervous conversations, taking chances on yourself. Don’t allow fear to hold you back. Don’t count yourself out before you even try. Surround yourself with mentors who are at every level of the career journey. Remember to reflect on how far you have come and how much you have achieved along the way.