ASDS Announces President's Award Recipients

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery honored four of its members with a President’s Award for contributing to the Society or the medical specialty in an extraordinary or unique way.

George J. Hruza, MD, MBA, presented the awards in his final duty as the 2014-15 ASDS President during the 2015 ASDS Annual Meeting in Chicago.

The 2015 recipients were Alastair Carruthers, FRCPC, and Jean D. Carruthers, MD, of Vancouver, Canada; Mark D. Kaufmann, MD, of New York, NY; and Susan H. Weinkle, MD, of Bradenton, FL.

Dr. Hruza praised Dr. Alastair Carruthers for his development of the ASDS Future Leaders Network and lauded Dr. Jean D. Carruthers for her leadership working with the Industry Advisory Council.

Additionally, Dr. Carruthers is an ASDS Past President and currently serves as the Society’s Historian/Parliamentarian. He was honored by ASDS with the Society’s top award in 2010 – the Samuel J. Stegman, MD, Award for Distinguished Service. He is an assistant editor of the Dermatologic Surgery journal and has served as an ASDS Visiting Professor and a mentor through the International Traveling Mentorship Program and FLN. Last year, he served as a Director of the State-of-the-Art in Minimally Invasive Aesthetics: Global Advances symposium. Dr. Carruthers has guided numerous ASDS work groups and task forces, and he currently is Chair of the Strategic Planning Task Force.

Dr. Jean D. Carruthers also is an assistant editor of Dermatologic Surgery, was Chair of the Development and Industry Relations Work Group, has been a mentor through FLN and served on a task force to generate guidelines for the reconstitution, use and storage of neurotoxins. She also was honored with the President’s Award in 2012 and 2014.

Drs. Alastair and Jean Carruthers – regarded as pioneers in developing the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin – practice at Carruthers & Humphrey Cosmetic Medicine. Dr. Alastair Carruthers is Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of British Columbia, where Dr. Jean Carruthers is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology. They have collectively authored more than 300 papers and scientific book chapters.

“Your continued involvement and leadership have directly contributed to the creation of new programs, growth in revenue and recognition of ASDS as a premier organization,” Dr. Hruza said in honoring the couple. “You have inspired countless ASDS members with your kindness, passion and generosity. Your willingness to share your knowledge and experience have advanced the skills and expertise of dermatologic surgeons around the world.”

Dr. Kaufmann merited a President’s Award for his efforts as the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association’s Advisor on the American Medical Association’s Relative Value Scale Update Committee. Dr. Kaufmann owns a private practice and is an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. 

“I appreciate Mark’s willingness to take time away from his busy practice to prepare for and attend meetings, and share his expertise to ensure ASDS members are fairly reimbursed,” Dr. Hruza said. “The work Mark does on our behalf has a tremendous impact on all of dermatologic surgery.”

Dr. Weinkle is an ASDS Past President and remains actively involved with the Society, including her work to help spearhead a cosmetic course for residents. She was a recipient of the ASDS President’s Award in 2007 and 2008, has been an ASDS Visiting Professor and serves as Chair of the Development and Industry Relations Work Group, the Survey Work Group, the Nominating Committee and as a liaison to the Physicians Aesthetic Coalition.

Dr. Weinkle specializes in Mohs Micrographic Surgery and cosmetic dermatology. In addition to owning a private practice, Dr. Weinkle is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of South Florida. She has given more than 1,000 lecture presentations and authored 20 peer-reviewed journal articles.

“Susan’s continued involvement and leadership have directly contributed to the recognition of ASDS as a premier organization and its overall success,” Dr. Hruza said. “Susan has been key to our successful relationships with industry and has inspired countless ASDS members with her kindness, passion and generosity.”