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Career & Community Advancement Award

Past Award Recipients

The Career & Community Advancement Award was offered from 2001-2015.

The WDS Career and Community Advancement Award encourages projects and initiatives focusing on community service, career enhancement, and advancement of the specialty of dermatology. Qualified projects may cover a wide range of member needs and interests. Awards of up to $10,000 are given to help members grow professionally to further contribute to the specialty and society.

Purpose of Award

The WDS Career & Community Advancement Award provides financial support for members, for either career development or development of community-based dermatologic activities.

Awarded Funds

  • Funds may be used to acquire specific skills to enhance professional development through “hands-on” training or other educational activities;
  • Funds may be used for the design and conduct of community-based dermatologic activities intended to enhance our understanding of dermatologic conditions;
  • Funds may be used to promote dermatologic health and well-being.

Guidelines & Criteria

  • Applicant must be a member in good standing of the WDS for three consecutive years.
  • Award applications must be focused on improving professional skills and/or improving knowledge of community-based dermatologic conditions or promoting dermatologic health.
  • Awards will be designated for particular areas of professional skill development, infrastructure development, or goal-oriented projects. Examples of acceptable requests include but are not limited to the attendance of educational meetings or conferences and/or to support the development and implementation of community-based dermatologic health programs. Enduring projects are encouraged.
  • Criteria for awards will include the merit of the proposal, the perceived need and the qualifications of the applicant. Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from a WDS member. Documentation of requested course content may also be required.
  • In the Statement of Purpose, applicants should identify the specific skills she/he wish to acquire and/or describe a community-based dermatology program and its specific goals and potential benefits to dermatology and the community in general.
  • Applications must be submitted to the award program committee at least three months prior to the date of the project.
  • Awardees are expected to attend the Annual Meeting to acknowledge receipt of the award.
  • Up to $10,000 will be awarded. An individual may only receive one award, regardless of identified need for additional programs or changes in career goals, however, under exceptional circumstances, the Committee will review applications for a second award (for a maximal total award of $15,000 to any member) if accompanied by a clear statement (with budget) explaining rationale for additional funding for the original project.
  • Budgets may include request for reasonable travel expenses, tuition, and appropriate housing expenses necessary to complete training. Awardees may also request for reasonable equipment-related purchases that is strictly for the implementation of the planned program.
  • Award is not intended to cover academic indirect/overhead costs.
  • Awardees will provide WDS with a photo and a brief summation of project for publication in the WDS Monthly News Brief within one month of the conclusion of the project. Projects may be featured at the WDS Annual Meeting Luncheon.

Examples of Funded Projects

Here are some examples of awards that have been provided and what some award recipients have said about the Career & Community Advancement Award:

Established an International Training Program
“I have discovered that we are embarking on an era of rediscovering purpose in dermatology and that this purpose will be found in our contribution to global dermatologic public health, individually and collectively as a specialty.”
– Kim Dernovsek, MD, Pueblo, CO

Studied New Techniques Abroad
“The Career Development Award affords women the opportunity to maintain interest in one’s field, review certain aspects or develop new skills after formal training and even years in practice or academics.”
– Ellen Mooney, MD, Reykjavik, Iceland

Attended Conference on a Specialized Topic
“I have been a dermatologist in Sydney for the last seven years, but have not had the opportunity to attend any meetings about epidermolysis bullosa (EB). This grant provided me with 10 days of learning about how other experts manage their EB patients and I made excellent contacts in the field. I am extremely grateful.”
– Dedee Murrell, MD, Sydney, Australia