The Medical Sisterhood: The Pressure of Representation, With Tiffany Mayo, MD

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Tiffany Mayo, MD, associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who will soon join UT Southwestern in Dallas, joined host Mona Shahriari, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, on The Medical Sisterhood podcast to discuss what she called the pressure of representation that comes after becoming a leader in medicine.

Mayo, who specializes in alopecia and hidradenitis suppurativa, said she initially envisioned herself as a mentor for nontraditional medical students, but was surprised when established colleagues began reaching out to admire her work. She said the experience felt intimidating because she had not yet reached what she once imagined leadership should look like, before realizing that mentorship is rooted in the ongoing process of growth rather than a fixed destination.

How Does Leadership Change the Way Physicians Present Themselves?

Mayo and Shahriari discussed how visibility changes self-presentation, describing different professional versions of themselves that emerge depending on the setting. Mayo said these versions only become unsustainable when they stop feeling authentic, and that staying grounded in core values across situations prevents leadership from feeling like a performance.

Why Do Physician Leaders Struggle to Set Boundaries?

The conversation turned to boundaries, with both physicians acknowledging the discomfort of saying no as expectations grow alongside visibility. Mayo said protecting personal time is an ongoing challenge, particularly when mentees treat their own urgency as universal, and stressed the importance of communicating response-time expectations clearly.

How Does Representation Pressure Differ for Women of Color in Medicine?

As women of color active in the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), Mayo and Shahriari discussed the added pressure of representing broader communities, not just themselves, in professional spaces. Mayo said she has learned to view her presence at decision-making tables as an opportunity to offer a distinct perspective rather than conform, adding that authenticity, including physical self-presentation, becomes a marker of genuine comfort in leadership.

Editor’s note: Neither speaker had any relevant disclosures of note. This episode was summarized with the help of AI tools.

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References

1. Mayo T, et al. Skin of Color Savvy: HS Management in Skin of Color, with Tiffany Mayo, MD, Steven Daveluy, MD, Jasmine Ivanna Espy. HCPLive. May 12, 2025. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://www.hcplive.com/view/skin-of-color-savvy-hs-management-skin-of-color-tiffany-mayo-md-steven-daveluy-md-jasmine-ivanna-espy.