TLC's Newest Star Dr. Mercy Dishes On Her Medical Series - Exclusive Interview

There's something seriously addicting about those medical shows that you just can't look away from. If you're a fan of series like "Dr. Pimple Popper" that show — in excruciating detail — the ins and outs of extreme dermatological cases, you're going to love TLC's newest show "Dr. Mercy." It follows Dr. Mercy Odueyungbo, a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist who specializes in malignant growths, benign lesions, Mohs surgery for skin cancers, and more (via the Baraga County Memorial Hospital). But despite her impressive knowledge and expertise, she sees her patients as more than just cases — she seeks to change lives. "So, a lot of what we do in dermatology, it's not just the skin that you're treating, you're treating a person as a whole," she explained on her show, per E! News.

The List recently sat down with Dr. Mercy to learn all about the inspiration behind her career, the work that goes into her practice, and what we can expect from the exciting first season of her show. She also shared some insider information regarding her top dermatological tips that you're not going to want to miss.

Yeah. And I'm curious, I'm sure you've kind of seen it all in your field, but is there anything that makes you squeamish or makes you a little uncomfortable to see?

Yeah. So most people think, because we remove all these things, I don't get sick from it. So as long as it's inside the patient's body, I'm okay. When it comes out, I'm okay. But it has to leave the room. I don't know how to explain it. Just knowing it's there and smelling it, that gets me. There's actually one episode that I ran to the bathroom to throw up.

Did you? Oh my gosh. Wow, I'm eager to see that.

Yep. It was a patient in particular that wanted to take her cyst home and was playing with it and rubbing it and shaking it and bouncing it ... By the time she did all of that, that really did me. I was like —

You were over it. No, you were over it. Do people do that a lot? Do they want to take home the cyst?

No. Most people want to see it. Most people will name it, but it's really rare to meet someone that wants to keep it or play with it.

Did she end up taking it home?

You're not supposed to do this, but I let her take two home. You have to sign a release form to take it home, but she took two home.

Interesting. Okay. Well, maybe it's sitting on her mantle right now. Who knows?

That's exactly where she said she was going to put it, in her bedroom on her mantle.

Very specific design aesthetic happening there.

Is there anything you can tell us about the first season and what we can expect to see?

Yeah. There's lots of transformation, lots of stories. We get to follow a lot of patients where we give them their lives back. So there are a few patients that can actually start hanging out with their kids again. Spouses, they can have a better marriage. People can actually go back and get jobs now, because they are normal again and people aren't going to be staring at them. And also, learning about people's stories and learning to be more compassionate. You never know what people are going through. I wish that we would be more compassionate as a society and just be more loving and caring. We're all going through something. So we all need each other's help.

Yeah. Well said. And can you tell us a little bit about the process of starting working with TLC and how you found each other?

Yeah. So this was not something I was looking for. I love my job, but I'm very shy. And I'm very introverted, weird enough.

I don't believe that!

So I'm in Chicago. But where I live in, in Michigan, it's called the Upper Peninsula. It's kind of like a small rural area. I'm not a person that's looking for the limelight. So in 2019, I think they were doing a nationwide casting. They were trying to expand their medical shows, and they actually found me on social media. And I thought it was a joke when they called my office saying they wanted me to audition. I was like, "Okay." And I actually didn't even think I knew what I was signing up for, but I saw it as an opportunity to help, to show positive representation of women, women running their practices, having a family and just having a positive imagery on TV and also being able to help patients and change people's lives. But they actually found me on social media, weird enough.

I bet they're just going to keep growing, I'm sure. Do you have any go-to dermatological advice that you'd give our readers?

I think the biggest thing is for anything that you're suffering from, find a board-certified dermatologist. Find a doctor that you can set up a rapport with — someone that you feel comfortable with, someone that will listen to your question, someone that will take the time. I think a lot of patients get scared of medicine in general. They're very intimidated by doctors, and I didn't realize that until I met a lot of my patients. But just find someone that you click with, someone that understands you. And seek help before it gets too big.

What are some of the initial signs that people should look out for at the beginning before something gets too serious?

Oh, yes. So for example, if something starts growing, if you notice a lump in your skin, if you notice any moles that are changing color, like from pink to red, if anything's bleeding, anything going from pink to black, if you just don't feel good. I always say patients know their bodies well. Sometimes patients will say, "Dr. Mercy, this doesn't look right." And I'm like, "I think you're right." And listen to the patients, listen to your body, listen to your intuition. If it doesn't feel right, you're probably correct. And go and seek help.

That's really good advice. I think one of the reasons that a lot of people are nervous to go is because they feel like sometimes doctors can be a bit reductive to what they're experiencing. And they say, "This hurts or this doesn't look normal." And there may be like, their worries are diminished a little bit. So I love that you sound like you support your patients so much. And if they feel like something's not normal, you're going to encourage them and support them on that.

Yep.

That's great. I think that's what makes a great doctor, in my opinion.

Thank you. Thanks, Cassidy.

Awesome. Will you watch some of the episodes with your family?

Oh, of course. I think it's weird hearing my own voice. You probably feel the same way. It's weird watching yourself or listening to your own voice. And it's weird. I watched a few [episodes] of it, and it feels like I'm not the one doing it. I feel like I'm watching someone else. It's very strange. I feel like I'm watching someone else on TV, not me.

That is something I've heard so many people I've interviewed say.

Really?

Absolutely. Said the exact same thing, where they said that they don't like the sound of their own voice. And then they also feel as though they're watching someone else and then they're like, "Oh wait, that's me on the screen." I don't think it's normal to watch yourself back, so I can see that being a challenge. And what does Lily say? Does she think it's cool that you're on TV? What does she think?

Well, I had to do a video for TLC recently, and she has a little iPad that syncs with mine. So she just learned that my name is also Dr. Mercy. So she didn't know that. So now she goes around and calls every doctor Mercy. She's only three, so she doesn't really know. So every now and again, she will call me Dr. Mercy.

Oh, my God. She just learned that your name is not actually mom.

Exactly. Yeah. So now I'm Dr. Mercy at home.

That's so cute. Well, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me. It's been so great talking to you. And we're so excited to watch the season coming out really soon.

Oh, thank you so much. I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. I enjoyed talking with you, Cassidy. Thank you.

The new series "Dr. Mercy" begins Wednesday, September 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.