Fran E. Cook-Bolden, MD, is a renowned dermatologist, author, and sought-after speaker and lecturer known for her work with and research on skin of color. She is the director of the Skin Specialty Group and the Ethnic Skin Specialty Group in New York City, where she treats patients with a variety of skin and hair issues. Before the Skin Specialty Group, Dr. Cook-Bolden helped found the Skin of Color Center with a team of renowned dermatologists and cosmetic physicians.

With vast knowledge on skin and hair, Dr. Cook-Bolden is considered a leading researcher in the treatment of ethnic skin, lasers, cosmetic dermatology, and medical dermatology. She has private practices in dermatology, cosmetic and laser surgery, and continues to engage in cutting-edge research, directing a highly-qualified research team. Her book, Beautiful Skin of Color - A Comprehensive Guide to Asian, Olive, and Dark Skin, is an A-to-Z handbook for skin of color. 

Dr. Cook-Bolden was recently honored as one of America’s Top Doctors by Black Enterprise magazine and listed as one of the top Dermatologists in New York City in Moore magazine. She has been a guest on numerous local and national radio and television shows to address issues and trends, including:  Sirius Satellite Radio, “The Martha Stewart Show,” “CNN,” “The Today Show,” “Good Day Atlanta,” TheDiscoveryChannel.com, and others. She has been featured in numerous print publications, including: Essence, Elle, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others.

Dr. Cook-Bolden is on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Dermatologic Society and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, National Medical Association, American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, and Manhattan Medical Society. She serves on many advisory boards and consults for pharmaceutical, laser, and beauty companies. 

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, she has degrees from Dillard University in New Orleans and Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She completed an internal medicine/pediatric internship at Staten Island Hospital in New York, followed by an internal medicine residency at State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, New York. She also fulfilled a postdoctoral research fellowship in the department of Dermatology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in New York City.

Dr. Cook-Bolden is a wife and mother of a daughter and twin sons.