During its annual gala, held virtually due to the pandemic, American Skin Association (ASA) presented awards to four honorees and celebrated its 33rd year of successfully funding crucial research and educating youth on the importance of skin health.  

The event’s Master of Ceremonies was Mehmet Oz, MD, the Emmy Award-winning television host and Attending Physician at NY Presbyterian-Columbia Medical Center.

ASA and its affiliates have sponsored more than $50 million in grants to support talented young scientists who have gone on to become top researchers in their fields. They work to find cutting-edge methods to prevent, detect and treat melanoma and other skin cancers and diseases. ASA continues to make crucial investments in the well-being of future generations, by putting great effort and resources into educating young people about skin health and sun safety, ASA notes in a media release.

Awards Presentations

This year’s awards were presented to the following:

Doris Day, MD, FAAD, MA, clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center received ASA’s Excellence in Dermatology Mentorship Award for her deep involvement and dedication to mentoring the next generation of dermatologists. Dr. Day is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in laser and cosmetic dermatology, a medical educator and a highly respected and sought-after media personality.

“I am so proud to receive this mentorship award from ASA! My many years of work with future dermatologists is very close to my heart and I am so appreciative of this recognition.”

— Doris Day, MD, FAAD, MA

ASA’s Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to Mark Lebwohl, MD, the Waldman Professor and Chair of the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

“I am honored to accept this leadership award from ASA and look forward to continuing work with ASA towards their vital mission.”

— Mark Lebwohl, MD, Dean for Clinical Therapeutics at Mount Sinai and past President of the American Academy of Dermatology

Incyte, a global biopharmaceutical company, was awarded ASA’s Global Impact Award in Biopharmaceutical Research and Medicine, accepted by Dr Jim Lee, Group Vice President, Head of Inflammation and Autoimmunity.

Incyte’s in-house discovery team leverages its expertise in immunology to decipher new pathways, design and synthesize innovative molecules and develop medicines to positively affect patients’ lives. The company’s research and development team is exploring the potential of JAK inhibition in a number of immune-mediated dermatologic conditions with a high unmet medical need, including atopic dermatitis, vitiligo and hidradenitis suppurativa.

Pfizer Inc was presented ASA’s Distinguished Corporate Leadership Award for delivering important medical innovations. Ehab Mahgoub, MD, MSc, Vice President of North America Medical Affairs, Inflammation & Immunology, accepted the award.

“Pfizer is honored to receive this award, which further reinforces the importance of collaboration in the medical dermatology community. We are dedicated to developing breakthroughs that help with the day-to-day suffering experienced by people living with chronic inflammatory skin diseases.”

— Ehab Mahgoub, MD, MSc

“ASA is proud to honor Dr. Doris Day, Dr. Mark Lebwohl, Incyte and Pfizer for their innovative efforts in the field of dermatology, and for their exceptional commitment to medical advancement. The important work of our honorees continues to help further ASA’s mission of finding cures for melanoma, skin cancer and other skin diseases.”

— Howard P. Milstein, Chairman of ASA

“I am proud of ASA’s ongoing work and congratulate these much-deserving honorees, Dr Day, Dr Lebwohl, Incyte, and Pfizer Inc on their awards.”

— President of ASA, Dr David Norris

[Source(s): American Skin Association, PR Newswire]