"Denied Because He Is White" Doctor Says Find A Black Doctor Directory Excluded Him From Listings Because of His Race

Colorado dermatologist Dr. Travis Morrell has taken a physician directory called Find A Black Doctor into federal court, arguing that he was denied access to the directory because he is white. The lawsuit challenges a policy that limits directory listings to Black physicians and dentists in active clinical practice.

Morrell and the medical advocacy group Do No Harm contend that the directory's eligibility requirements violate federal civil rights protections dating back to the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Their complaint argues that physicians who do not meet the racial requirement are prevented from receiving the same promotional opportunities available through the listing service.

Records filed in federal court place the dispute at the center of a broader disagreement over race conscious initiatives in healthcare. According to Black Enterprise, Morrell applied to the directory in December 2025, later followed up about his application, and ultimately concluded that he was excluded because he did not satisfy the site's racial eligibility requirement.

Find A Black Doctor was created to help patients locate Black healthcare providers. Material published by the directory points to research and healthcare access concerns affecting Black communities and argues that greater access to Black physicians can improve health outcomes for some patients.

Dr. Dina Strachan, the dermatologist who founded the directory, is named as a defendant in the lawsuit. The legal challenge seeks a court order preventing the directory from considering race during the application process and also asks that Morrell's application be accepted. Compensatory and punitive damages were requested as part of the civil action.

Physicians involved with the effort describe the directory as a resource designed to address longstanding gaps in healthcare access and representation. Critics argue that limiting participation to one racial group crosses legal boundaries and conflicts with anti discrimination laws.

Questions raised by the lawsuit reach beyond a single website. The case could influence how courts view directories, programs and initiatives that use race based criteria while pursuing diversity or representation goals.

Going forward, a federal judge will determine whether the directory's eligibility rules serve a lawful purpose or violate statutes that prohibit racial discrimination in contractual relationships. The outcome could affect similar efforts operating in healthcare and other professions.