Women’s Dermatologic Society to Receive American Academy of Dermatology’s Gold Triangle Award on July 21 in Chicago WDS “Play Safe in the Sun” Skin Screening Initiative at LPGA Tournaments wins recognition as innovative and effective community outreach program

Pictured above are: Dr. Marta Rendon, Dr. Wendy Roberts, and Dr. Sandra Read at the awards ceremony.

(San Francisco) The Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) effectively spread the message of sun safety to the women’s golf community in 2004-2005 through its community outreach service, “Play Safe in the Sun” which has earned the prestigious Gold Triangle Award from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD.) The Gold Triangle Award applauds the WDS volunteer campaign to heighten understanding of dermatologic issues and encourage healthy behaviors in the care of skin.

The WDS targeted the women’s golf community as the focus of this campaign in response to surveys by the American Academy of Dermatology which showed that golfers face a heightened risk of developing skin cancer and that skin cancer is now the leading form of cancer for young women ages 25-29. Dr. Wendy Roberts, of Rancho Mirage, CA, who spearheaded the national effort, said that the idea was inspired by these statistics and the urgent need for active Americans to take greater precautions to guard against the risks of prolonged sun exposure. LPGA Tour golf professional Angela Jerman serves as spokesperson for the campaign and has worked with the dermatologists to reach out to this high-risk group of athletes.

At various LPGA tournaments across the country WDS volunteers have conducted free skin cancer screenings of players, spectators, volunteers and media involved in the selected LPGA events by deploying local board-certified dermatologists from its cadre of over 1,200 members nationwide. At each location, educational materials, sunscreen samples, and sun safety information have been provided to thousands of spectators who have visited the Women’s Dermatologic Society’s Play Safe in the Sun exhibit booth. Members of the WDS enthusiastically volunteered their time to spread the message within the women’s golf community that prolonged sun exposure is the primary and most preventable cause of skin cancer. WDS President Dr. Jean Bolognia stated: “The Women’s Dermatologic Society is fully committed to educating the public as to how to “Play Safe in the Sun” and plans to continue this well-received campaign over the next year and beyond.”

The WDS will be presented with the AAD’s Gold Triangle Award on July 21, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. The WDS Play Safe in the Sun Campaign was made possible through the generous contributions of industry partners such as Dermik Laboratories, whose collaborative work with the WDS facilitated Angela Jerman’s role as national spokesperson for the outreach campaign at LPGA tournaments around the country. Other partners supporting the effort include: Doak Dermatologics, Ortho Neutrogena, Del-Ray Dermatologicals, Galderma, Guthy-Renker, Procter & Gamble, Del-Ray Dermatologicals. In addition, the Oncology Nurses Association and the Dermatologic Nurses Association have provided volunteer support at the tournaments.

WDS leaders showed up in force for the presentation of the award WDS received for the "Play Safe in the Sun at LPGA" initiative. Pictured are: Dr. Peggy Crawford, Dr. Mary Maloney, Dr. Jean Bolognia, Dr. Lenore Kakita, Dr. Wendy Roberts, Dr. Sandra Read, Dr. Marianne O'Donoghue, Beverly Roberts Charles, Dr. Wilma Bergfeld, and Dr. Suzanne Connolly.

For more information about the Women's Dermatologic Society visit www.womensderm.org WDS supports the careers and professional development of women dermatologists. The WDS mission is to help women in dermatology achieve their greatest potential by striving to foster, promote and support women’s issues in dermatology; identify, train and recognize women leaders in dermatology, and provide a forum for developing relationships. “Play Safe in the Sun” initiative is a community outreach service of the WDS. For further information, visit: www.womensderm.org. Contact Kerry Parker, Executive Director, 1-877-WDS-ROSE (937-7673)