Center for Global Health Equity

Dr. Abrantes grew up in a small farming village off the coast of Portugal, where limited access to medical and subspecialty care impacted many, including their uncle who suffered from palmoplantar pustular psoriasis without adequate treatment. These early experiences inspired a deep commitment to addressing healthcare access barriers. Throughout college and medical school, Dr. Abrantes led service trips with Global Medical Brigades in Nicaragua, helped establish clinics serving hundreds of patients, and founded Getting Under Your Skin, a community outreach program educating underserved Rhode Island students about skin cancer and sun protection. During medical school at Brown, Dr. Abrantes worked extensively with Clínica Esperanza and the Rhode Island Free Clinic, which serves a large immigrant population. They served as the medical student leader and liaison for the dermatology clinic and now, as a dermatology resident, co-direct the clinic. Fluent in Portuguese and conversational in Spanish, Dr. Abrantes uses their language skills to connect with underserved patients, ensuring clear communication and compassionate care.