Meet Olnita Martini And Danielle Duffle | Dermatology Residents & Content Creators

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olnita Martini And Danielle Duffle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olnita Martini and Danielle Duffle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It all started at a dermatology conference during medical school. For months, we had bonded virtually over the chaos of audition rotations, the stress of a competitive match, and how we kept each other sane through it all. The friendships we built during that time were too good to leave behind.

When we finally met in person—wine in hand, appetizers on the table—we got to talking about a gap we saw on social media. People were either drowning in med-speak or misled by skinfluencers with zero training. That’s when Derm and Dermer was born.

We thought, why not combine our medical knowledge with creativity to bring people skin education that’s fun, accurate, and actually relatable?

What started as a passion project quickly became a platform where we get to show up as ourselves: dermatology residents, creatives, educators, and besties.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our careers have been shaped not just by medicine, but by culture, community, and the desire to make dermatology more inclusive and accessible. As two individuals from the same medical institution and both non-traditional students, we matched into the most competitive residency this year — dermatology.

Dr. Martini earned her Master’s in Global Medicine at Keck School of Medicine and worked in pharmaceutical research prior to starting medical school. Dr. Duffle was a yoga instructor/personal trainer and received her Master’s in Biomedical Science at Regis University. Our diverse and unconventional paths taught us the importance of bridging the gap between medical knowledge and patient understanding — especially in a specialty like dermatology, where disparities in care remain widespread. As a yoga teacher, you learn how to both lead and learn. In global medicine, you’re constantly reminded of how culture shapes the patient experience. These lessons stay with us.

What sets us apart is our belief that education should feel human, in the clinic, online, and everywhere in between. Through our platform, we use humor, transparency, and storytelling to share knowledge about skincare, debunk medical myths, and give an inside look at what it really takes to pursue medicine. We’re especially proud of our efforts to raise awareness about dermatology through social media, provide mentorship to medical students via the DIGA podcast, and always keep it grounded in humility and humor.

There were countless obstacles — imposter syndrome, pressure to succeed, and the challenge of building something that reaches and resonates with people. But we leaned on our mentors, our peers, and the purpose that led us to medicine in the first place. The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that your voice matters — especially when it brings something new to the table. You don’t have to fit the mold to make an impact.

What we want people to know is this: we’re here to keep the conversation real, to share our journey authentically, and to use our platform to educate, advocate, and hopefully make someone else’s path just a little easier to walk.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If our best friend came to visit Denver for the week, we’d make sure they experienced the perfect mix of Colorado adventure, good food, and local gems. This city has so much to offer, and it’s home to our biggest supporters. Dr. Duffle is a proud Colorado native, so there’s no better tour guide for the Mile High City!

We’d kick off the trip with brunch at Snooze in Union Station, followed by strolling through Larimer Square and grabbing dinner at Safta for the most amazing hummus ever. One day would be dedicated to the mountains; a morning hike at Lookout Mountain or North Table in Golden, followed by a brewery crawl through Golden’s local spots like Golden City Brewery and Mountain Toad, with a quick bite at Bob’s Atomic Burgers. We’d explore RiNo’s street art scene, sip coffee at Blue Sparrow, and visit the Denver Art Museum or get lost in Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station. For a true Colorado experience, we’d head to Red Rocks Amphitheatre at sunrise, stop by Boulder for brunch at The Buff, and maybe unwind at The Beer Spa back in Denver. Boulder would also get a full day, there is so much to do like hiking the Flatirons, lunch at Rosetta Hall, and strolling down Pearl Street Mall with ice cream from Sweet Cow. A thrift and chill day would include vintage shops like Goldmine Vintage and ARC, paddle boats at City Park, and dinner at El Five with sunset views of the skyline. We’d wrap up the week with coffee from Bakery Four, a morning walk in Cheesman Park, and one last cheers at Recess Beer Garden or Avanti. Denver is where our journey began, and we’re always grateful to share its magic with the people we love and with the incredible community that supports us here every day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to both of our families, the real MVPs behind the scenes. Through every late night, exam, and moment of doubt during medical school, they were our rock. As we step into this new journey of sharing, educating, and building community through social media, their love and encouragement has continued. This journey wouldn’t be possible without them.

Instagram: @derm_and_dermer

Youtube: @derm_and_dermer

Other: Tik Tok: @derm_and_dermer
Email: dermanddermer25@gmail.com

Image Credits
Brian Rivera