Two sisters, Dr. Jacqueline Philips and Lorraine Phillips, have come together to launch Melanin Doctor, the first Black-owned telehealth service dedicated exclusively to Black women.
Built from both professional expertise and personal conviction, their mission is simple but urgent: to tackle the healthcare disparities within the Black community that mainstream medicine has long overlooked – starting with access to life-changing weight loss treatments.
The sisters’ passion for this work is also deeply personal. After watching their mother, who struggled with diabetes and weight gain, experience a remarkable transformation with GLP-1 medications, they saw firsthand the life-changing potential of treatments that too often remain out of reach for Black patients. That experience reinforced their determination to ensure more women in their community could access the same opportunities for better health.
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Black women face disproportionately high rates of obesity and diabetes, with 57% classified as obese compared to 36% of White women, and 12.7% diagnosed with diabetes compared to 6.9% of White women¹. Yet despite higher medical need, Black patients are less likely to be prescribed GLP-1 weight loss medications, even when clinically eligible².
“Since starting Melanin Doctor, we’ve spoken with countless Black women who had never heard of GLP-1 medication from their doctors – or worse, had their questions dismissed under the assumption they couldn’t afford it,” said Lorraine Phillips, co-founder of Melanin Doctor. As sisters, and as daughters who saw our own mother’s health transform, we built this company for women like us – to make sure access, answers, and options are finally within reach.”
Through its direct-to-patient online platform, Melanin Doctor connects patients with licensed clinicians, while also providing clear education on treatment options such as GLP-1 medications. The company’s model is built around transparency, affordability, and accessibility – removing systemic barriers that have historically kept Black patients from receiving the care they deserve.
“Our goal is to remove the guesswork and confusion that often comes with navigating healthcare,” said Dr. Jacqueline Philips, Chief Medical Officer of Melanin Doctor. “Too often, Black patients are left out of conversations about the most effective treatments. At Melanin Doctor, we’re committed to ensuring patients not only have access to the right medications, but also the education and guidance they need to make the best decisions for their health.”
Patients are already seeing the impact. Robin Nettles, a current Melanin Doctor patient, shared: “I can tell that every aspect of this program was designed with Black patients in mind. I feel heard and seen. I don’t feel like just another number, and I know I’m receiving the best care for me – something I haven’t felt in a long time.”
Beyond addressing health inequities, the sisters are also committed to creating economic empowerment opportunities. Melanin Doctor has pledged to hire Black clinicians and build remote career paths for Black health professionals nationwide. While the brand is starting with GLP-1 weight loss medications for Black women, services will soon expand to welcome Black men too.
Melanin Doctor is now accepting new patients nationwide through its digital platform. To learn more or to see if you qualify for care, visit MelaninDoctor.com
About
Melanin Doctor is the first telehealth service built exclusively for Black patients. Its mission is to close the racial health gap by providing affordable, accessible, and culturally competent care for conditions that disproportionately affect Black communities. By centering representation, trust, and empowerment, Melanin Doctor is reimagining healthcare for a future where Black health is prioritized, not overlooked.
Sources
¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Diabetes Data & Research.” https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/
² Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). “Disparities in GLP-1 Prescription Patterns.” https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/
For press inquiries, contact Dan Gillespie at dan@melanindoctor.com
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