San Francisco, CA (March 18, 2009) - The Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) recently honored Tina S. Alster, MD with its Mentor of the Year award, in recognition of her longstanding commitment to mentoring and her impact on women in dermatology. This significant award was presented at the WDS 34th Annual Luncheon held in San Francisco during the American Academy of Dermatology’s Annual Meeting.

Dr. Alster, a Washington, DC dermatologist, is widely known for her contributions to the field of dermatologic laser surgery as physician, lecturer, teacher and prolific author. She has mentored several young physicians annually through the WDS Mentorship Program since its inception. “Mentoring, in helping an individual develop professionally, leads to a richer, more diversified set of experiences that can influence future directions in the field, and create leaders who can bring new ideas and positive changes to scientific knowledge,” states Dr. Alster.

The Mentor of the Year award was established in 2003 to honor outstanding individuals who have influenced the lives of women dermatologists through mentoring. The first recipient of this important honor was Frances J. Storrs, MD, who founded the WDS Mentorship program in 1993. Now a cornerstone of the WDS, the Mentorship Program has awarded more than 400 grants since 1993, made possible through the generosity and continued support of Dermik Laboratories.

Dr. Alster joins a preeminent group of past Mentor of the Year honorees, including Frances J. Storrs (2003); Vera Price, MD (2004); Ilona Frieden, MD (2005); Amy Paller, MD (2006); Libby Edwards, MD (2007), and Jean Bolognia, MD (2008).

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S DERMATOLOGIC SOCIETY (WDS)
The Women's Dermatologic Society supports the careers and professional development of women dermatologists. The mission of the Women’s Dermatologic Society is to help women in dermatology achieve their greatest personal and professional potential by striving to foster, promote, and support women’s issues in dermatology; identify, train, and recognize women leaders in dermatology; provide a forum for developing relationships and the exchange of ideas and research relevant to women’s issues; and promote the highest possible standards of ethics, research, patient care and education, as well as public education. Now the third-largest dermatologic organization in the United States, WDS is comprised of approximately 1,600 members nationally and internationally, representing all sub-specialties in dermatology, working in private practice, academics and research. Eight percent of the membership is male.

• News Release (Also Available In PDF)
• To read more about Dr. Tina Alster and the 2009 Mentor of the Year award - Click here
• To read WDS member Dr. Nicole Rogers’ account of the awards presentation - Click here
• MORE INFORMATION: 1-877-WDS-ROSE (937-7673) | www.womensderm.org