Gary D. Monheit, MD is the “very honored” 2014 recipient of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery's highest honor: the Samuel J. Stegman, MD, Award for Distinguished Service. “It’s been an exciting voyage and trip,” said Dr. Monheit, of Total Skin & Beauty Dermatology Center in Birmingham, Ala. The tribute recognizes ASDS members who have made a substantial contribution to advance ASDS goals in the areas of education, organized service and/or research.

Dr. Monheit attended the very first ASDS meeting in December 1970, before he had even become a resident. He later received the first ASDS Resident Scholarship. He also is a self-described “first-generation” Mohs surgeon, receiving training with Frederic E. Mohs, MD, himself. Dr. Monheit says he knew from the beginning he wanted to be a part of ASDS, with its emphasis on surgery. He received training early in his career from some of the first ASDS members, including Dr. Stegman.

“It was a wonderful springboard for me to start my surgical practice that was some Mohs surgery, plus surgical and cosmetic work together,” Dr. Monheit said. “Being part of that evolution and the growth of our subspecialty has been very exciting.”

A past president of the ASDS, he has been part of the Annual Meeting faculty, participated in and chaired work groups, trained two generations of fellows, helped with testing for the United States Food and Drug Administration and been a traveling mentor and legislative liaison.

He always has emphasized education and training the new generation of dermatologic  surgeons to be not just competent, but experts in all aspects of dermatologic surgery. Now working with his third generation of young dermatologic surgeons and having logged more than 25 years of training fellows, he said he remains committed to excellence and to training future leaders.

“All of us stand on the shoulders of giants,” Dr. Monheit said. “It’s our obligation to let the younger people stand on ours.”

“Dr. Monheit is renowned for his enthusiastic support of dermatologic surgery through his commitment to ASDS as well as to teaching, patient care and academic advancement of the field,” said Roy G. Geronemus, M.D., the 2013 Stegman Award winner. “He is a sought-after teacher and mentor. He has trained multiple fellows for the ACGME-approved fellowship and he is among the leading dermatologic surgeons in the world.”