Dr. Earlyn Noll's Perspectives on Narrative Medicine

What role do you think storytelling – your patients’ or your own – plays in healing, especially in a field like dermatology where so much is visual and visible?

Sharing stories about other patients’ experiences is a powerful way to help individuals connect with the treatments they’re considering. When patients hear actual stories of others who have undergone the same procedures, they can envision themselves in similar situations. They can better understand the process, anticipate the results, and feel more confident about moving forward. These stories help make the treatments less intimidating and more approachable.

In addition, when I share stories from my own experience, whether personal or professional, it helps establish a genuine connection. Storytelling builds rapport, puts patients at ease, and fosters trust. When patients feel that I understand their concerns, not just clinically, but personally, they are more likely to open up, feel supported, and trust me as their provider. I believe that trust is the foundation of effective, compassionate care and meaningful patient relationships.

At Tulane, were there any moments – clinical or personal – where you began to see medicine as more than diagnosis and treatment, but also as a form of storytelling?  

For me, the practice of medicine is a means of earning trust, building connections with patients, listening carefully, understanding their concerns, and providing thoughtful, compassionate care. Storytelling allows me to personally connect to my patients so they feel seen, heard, and understood. 

At your practice, Davis Dermatology, how do you create opportunities for patients to share their stories beyond their symptoms, and how has that impacted your approach to care? 

The best way to create meaningful space for patients is not only by sharing my own stories but also by inviting them to share their own. This happens through thoughtful prompts and truly listening to patients. Asking the right questions and showing genuine interest in their lives outside the office helps patients feel safe, heard, and valued. 

Running your own practice while raising four children is a remarkable feat. How have your roles as both a mother and a physician influenced each other, especially in how you listen to, empathize with, and advocate for your patients on a more human level? 

Being a mother and being a physician are very similar. Both roles are about caring for others, but as a mother, you also become a fixer, a teacher, and a source of support. Those tendencies naturally spill over into how I care for my patients. Being both a mother and a physician has made me more empathetic and more inclined to consider the whole person, not just the illness.

Author Biography

Dermatologist

Davis Dermatology

Dr. Noll is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in all aspects of skin care. She is committed to providing quality, individualized, and up-to-date healthcare to her patients. She is professionally trained and experienced in treating the spectrum of skin disorders, and in performing both skin surgeries and cosmetic procedures.

Dr. Noll earned her M.D. from Tulane University School of Medicine in her hometown of New Orleans, LA. After having four children and being a stay-at-home mom for 5 years, she returned to Tulane to complete a residency in dermatology. In her senior year of residency, she was appointed Chief Resident of Cosmetic and Surgical Dermatology. In 2010, she was awarded the Women’s Dermatologic Society Mentorship Award, which allowed her to train with Dr. Tina Alster, one of the country’s leading laser experts.

In 2011, Dr. Noll opened Davis Dermatology. She loves discovering the latest procedures and products to help her patients age well, but at the same time knows the importance of “watching and waiting” before bringing on something new to the practice.

Additionally, each of Dr. Noll’s four children is either a UCLA alumnus or a current student at UCLA. When Dr. Noll is not caring for her patients or running the practice, and now that her four children are currently attending or have graduated from college, she enjoys spending time with her husband, practicing yoga, Aikido, doing projects around the house, and gardening.