Chidiebere Ibe is revolutionizing medical education for Black students and patients.

Nigerian medical illustrator and first-year medical student Chidiebere Ibe is challenging the norms of medical representation by portraying anatomy, physiology, and pathology on Black skin—a crucial step toward equity in medical education. His work has garnered global attention, with a recent illustration of a pregnant Black woman and her baby in utero going viral as many viewers recognized it as the first time they had seen Black women depicted in this clinical format.

Ibe emphasizes the importance of representation in medical illustrations. On his GoFundMe page, where he is raising funds to support his medical education, he highlights research showing that Black students are more engaged with medical illustrations that reflect their skin color. Despite the scarcity of such images, Ibe is committed to changing that narrative. His Instagram page is now a rich repository of medical illustrations featuring Black individuals, covering a wide range of conditions and anatomical studies in the same detailed, scientific manner seen in textbooks and academic journals.

“I started medical illustrations to promote the use of Black skin illustrations in our medical textbooks to depict a typical African person,” Ibe explained. “Textbooks guide medical trainees through the conditions they will encounter in practice, yet most illustrations are on Caucasian skin. This lack of diversity has real implications for medical trainees and their future patients because many conditions and signs present differently depending on skin color. Black skin must be equally represented.”

By bridging this gap, Ibe is not only advocating for more inclusive education but also improving the quality of care for Black patients, who have historically been underrepresented in clinical studies and educational resources. His work underscores the reality that visual representation matters—both for learning and for equitable patient outcomes.

Ibe’s goal is to combine his medical training with his illustrative talent to further serve his community and ensure future healthcare professionals are equipped to recognize medical signs across diverse skin tones. His illustrations are now sought after by educators, medical institutions, and media outlets worldwide.

Through his efforts, Chidiebere Ibe is reshaping the way medical students and professionals visualize anatomy and pathology—making the field more inclusive, accurate, and culturally aware. His viral work is not only a triumph for representation but a vital step toward equity in healthcare.

Support his mission by contributing to his GoFundMe, and explore opportunities to license his now-famous illustration of a Black pregnant woman to help bring more inclusive medical education to classrooms around the world.