WDS Members Deliver 400 Service Hours in 2010

Part of the mission of the Women's Dermatologic Society is to help women in dermatology "realize and fulfill their greatest potential" by promoting research, patient care, and patient and public education.

A list of recent accomplishments suggests that this part of its mission – and more – was fulfilled in 2010.

The Society's "Play Safe in the Sun" campaign, for example, garnered strong support from members this past year – 400 volunteer hours, for starters – and skin cancer screenings, sun safe educational activities, and public service announcements were achieved as part of the campaign.

"Most of the work done through the 'Play Safe in the Sun' program was done through Ladies Professional Golf Association events," said Dr. Lisa A. Garner, president of the Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS), which has been a partner in the campaign.

Events are also now being held in conjunction with professional tennis events.

Volunteers, including 31 dermatologists, provided the 400 hours of service at events across the country, where they screened participants, from players, to audience members, to members of the media. The efforts paid off in healthy ways; the referral rate for suspicious lesions requiring follow-up was 35%, said Dr. Garner.

The series of public service announcements promoting sun safe practices produced as part of the campaign aired frequently on the Golf Channel. The WDS also provided assistance to members who wanted to conduct "Play Safe in the Sun" events in their own communities, she added.

The program was launched in 2004, and for the past 3 years has been supported by a grant from L’Oréal. A commitment for funding for the next 3 years was recently made by La Roche-Posay, Dr. Garner said.

In addition to the "Play Safe in the Sun" program, WDS provided 42 mentorship, 6 academic, and 3 career and community advancement awards in 2010.

These awards also serve to fulfill the Society's mission, she said.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of WDS, which was founded to provide women in dermatology with educational and networking opportunities, as well as leadership training. The Mentorship Awards are designed to help promote mentoring relationships that might otherwise be impossible because of distance or lack of funding, and they help promote leadership potential in residents or junior faculty members who demonstrate exceptional promise, Dr. Garner said.

The Academic Research Awards are provided to resident or early-career dermatologists who are conducting basic science or clinical research in dermatology. The awards of up to $10,000 each are granted largely on the basis of scientific merit and anticipated impact on the field of dermatology. And the Career and Community Advancement Awards provide grant money to practicing dermatologists who are working to advance their career through educational or community service pursuits that also advance the practice of dermatology.

Another accomplishment of the WDS in 2010 was the development of a 1-day International Leadership Development Forum to be held in conjunction with the World Congress of Dermatology in Seoul, South Korea this year. Many U.S. and international WDS members will be speaking at the event, which is being spearheaded by an international member and will take place just prior to the Congress, she noted.

Dr. Garner said that during her term as WDS president in 2010-2011, she has been in awe of the willingness of WDS members to volunteer their time and efforts, whether to mentor fellow dermatologists, to assist at screening events, or to speak at an educational forum.

"We have so many members ready and willing to volunteer at the drop of a hat," she said, noting that at a "Play Safe in the Sun" event last year, volunteers had to be turned away thanks to the outpouring of support from members.

"We continue to be a very strong and vibrant organization in the community, with dedicated and energetic members who love to mentor, who love to service, and who serve the profession of dermatology in ways that go beyond just taking good care of our patients," she said.

Dr. Garner's term as president ends Feb. 6 at the WDS annual meeting and luncheon when president-elect Dr. Diane Berson of New York will take the reins.

Part of the mission of the Women's Dermatologic Society is to help women in dermatology "realize and fulfill their greatest potential" by promoting research, patient care, and patient and public education.

A list of recent accomplishments suggests that this part of its mission – and more – was fulfilled in 2010.

The Society's "Play Safe in the Sun" campaign, for example, garnered strong support from members this past year – 400 volunteer hours, for starters – and skin cancer screenings, sun safe educational activities, and public service announcements were achieved as part of the campaign.

"Most of the work done through the 'Play Safe in the Sun' program was done through Ladies Professional Golf Association events," said Dr. Lisa A. Garner, president of the Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS), which has been a partner in the campaign.

Events are also now being held in conjunction with professional tennis events.

Volunteers, including 31 dermatologists, provided the 400 hours of service at events across the country, where they screened participants, from players, to audience members, to members of the media. The efforts paid off in healthy ways; the referral rate for suspicious lesions requiring follow-up was 35%, said Dr. Garner.

The series of public service announcements promoting sun safe practices produced as part of the campaign aired frequently on the Golf Channel. The WDS also provided assistance to members who wanted to conduct "Play Safe in the Sun" events in their own communities, she added.

The program was launched in 2004, and for the past 3 years has been supported by a grant from L’Oréal. A commitment for funding for the next 3 years was recently made by La Roche-Posay, Dr. Garner said.

In addition to the "Play Safe in the Sun" program, WDS provided 42 mentorship, 6 academic, and 3 career and community advancement awards in 2010.

These awards also serve to fulfill the Society's mission, she said.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of WDS, which was founded to provide women in dermatology with educational and networking opportunities, as well as leadership training. The Mentorship Awards are designed to help promote mentoring relationships that might otherwise be impossible because of distance or lack of funding, and they help promote leadership potential in residents or junior faculty members who demonstrate exceptional promise, Dr. Garner said.

The Academic Research Awards are provided to resident or early-career dermatologists who are conducting basic science or clinical research in dermatology. The awards of up to $10,000 each are granted largely on the basis of scientific merit and anticipated impact on the field of dermatology. And the Career and Community Advancement Awards provide grant money to practicing dermatologists who are working to advance their career through educational or community service pursuits that also advance the practice of dermatology.

Another accomplishment of the WDS in 2010 was the development of a 1-day International Leadership Development Forum to be held in conjunction with the World Congress of Dermatology in Seoul, South Korea this year. Many U.S. and international WDS members will be speaking at the event, which is being spearheaded by an international member and will take place just prior to the Congress, she noted.

Dr. Garner said that during her term as WDS president in 2010-2011, she has been in awe of the willingness of WDS members to volunteer their time and efforts, whether to mentor fellow dermatologists, to assist at screening events, or to speak at an educational forum.

"We have so many members ready and willing to volunteer at the drop of a hat," she said, noting that at a "Play Safe in the Sun" event last year, volunteers had to be turned away thanks to the outpouring of support from members.

"We continue to be a very strong and vibrant organization in the community, with dedicated and energetic members who love to mentor, who love to service, and who serve the profession of dermatology in ways that go beyond just taking good care of our patients," she said.

Dr. Garner's term as president ends Feb. 6 at the WDS annual meeting and luncheon when president-elect Dr. Diane Berson of New York will take the reins.

Part of the mission of the Women's Dermatologic Society is to help women in dermatology "realize and fulfill their greatest potential" by promoting research, patient care, and patient and public education.

A list of recent accomplishments suggests that this part of its mission – and more – was fulfilled in 2010.

The Society's "Play Safe in the Sun" campaign, for example, garnered strong support from members this past year – 400 volunteer hours, for starters – and skin cancer screenings, sun safe educational activities, and public service announcements were achieved as part of the campaign.

"Most of the work done through the 'Play Safe in the Sun' program was done through Ladies Professional Golf Association events," said Dr. Lisa A. Garner, president of the Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS), which has been a partner in the campaign.

Events are also now being held in conjunction with professional tennis events.

Volunteers, including 31 dermatologists, provided the 400 hours of service at events across the country, where they screened participants, from players, to audience members, to members of the media. The efforts paid off in healthy ways; the referral rate for suspicious lesions requiring follow-up was 35%, said Dr. Garner.

The series of public service announcements promoting sun safe practices produced as part of the campaign aired frequently on the Golf Channel. The WDS also provided assistance to members who wanted to conduct "Play Safe in the Sun" events in their own communities, she added.

The program was launched in 2004, and for the past 3 years has been supported by a grant from L’Oréal. A commitment for funding for the next 3 years was recently made by La Roche-Posay, Dr. Garner said.

In addition to the "Play Safe in the Sun" program, WDS provided 42 mentorship, 6 academic, and 3 career and community advancement awards in 2010.

These awards also serve to fulfill the Society's mission, she said.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of WDS, which was founded to provide women in dermatology with educational and networking opportunities, as well as leadership training. The Mentorship Awards are designed to help promote mentoring relationships that might otherwise be impossible because of distance or lack of funding, and they help promote leadership potential in residents or junior faculty members who demonstrate exceptional promise, Dr. Garner said.

The Academic Research Awards are provided to resident or early-career dermatologists who are conducting basic science or clinical research in dermatology. The awards of up to $10,000 each are granted largely on the basis of scientific merit and anticipated impact on the field of dermatology. And the Career and Community Advancement Awards provide grant money to practicing dermatologists who are working to advance their career through educational or community service pursuits that also advance the practice of dermatology.

Another accomplishment of the WDS in 2010 was the development of a 1-day International Leadership Development Forum to be held in conjunction with the World Congress of Dermatology in Seoul, South Korea this year. Many U.S. and international WDS members will be speaking at the event, which is being spearheaded by an international member and will take place just prior to the Congress, she noted.

Dr. Garner said that during her term as WDS president in 2010-2011, she has been in awe of the willingness of WDS members to volunteer their time and efforts, whether to mentor fellow dermatologists, to assist at screening events, or to speak at an educational forum.

"We have so many members ready and willing to volunteer at the drop of a hat," she said, noting that at a "Play Safe in the Sun" event last year, volunteers had to be turned away thanks to the outpouring of support from members.

"We continue to be a very strong and vibrant organization in the community, with dedicated and energetic members who love to mentor, who love to service, and who serve the profession of dermatology in ways that go beyond just taking good care of our patients," she said.

Dr. Garner's term as president ends Feb. 6 at the WDS annual meeting and luncheon when president-elect Dr. Diane Berson of New York will take the reins.