Nominated by patients and colleagues, recipients of the first annual National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Professionals Awards exemplify the outstanding work being done in the psoriatic disease community.

Selected by a committee of National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) medical board and leadership team members, nominees were evaluated on specific criteria for each award, and their overall effort in improving the lives of those affected by psoriatic disease. NPF is honored to recognize the following professionals.

Outstanding Educator in Psoriatic Disease: Alice Gottlieb, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Gottlieb is chair of dermatology and dermatologist-in-chief at Tufts Medical Center. A board-certified dermatologist and rheumatologist, Gottlieb is internationally recognized as a leading psoriatic disease educator and has presented at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Academy of Sciences and at nearly 200 conferences around the world. Beyond the classroom, Gottlieb’s research efforts have led to some of the most important outcomes in psoriatic disease, including the role of lymphocyte in the development of psoriasis, which has led to the development of modern biologic therapy.

Outstanding Physician-Clinician: Jerry Bagel, M.D.

Dr. Bagel is director of the Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey. Bagel has devoted his career to the care of psoriasis patients. Having written more than 50 articles, and conducting many psoriatic disease-related clinical trials, Bagel is acknowledged as a leading resource for his fellow clinicians. Additionally, Bagel developed the NPF President’s Council, a group of 100-plus medical professionals who support the research and advocacy efforts of the Foundation. He is a member of the editorial board of Practical Dermatology® magazine and co-author of the Clinical Focus column.

NPF Health Professional Volunteer of the Year: Wilson Liao, M.D.

Supporting NPF since he was a medical student at Harvard University, Dr. Liao is an associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. Playing an active role in the NPF Northern California Community Division, Liao volunteers as the physician advisor, and has participated as a patient education speaker. A leading fundraiser for the Foundation, Liao was the honorary medical chair for both the Team NPF Walk in San Francisco and the Commit to Cure Gala honoring Dr. John Koo.

Outstanding Allied Health Professional: Abby Jacobson, PA-C

Ms. Jacobson is a physician assistant at Family Dermatology in Reading, Pennsylvania. Knowledgeable about psoriatic disease, Jacobson assists her patients in navigating the overwhelming world of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The first physician assistant to be nominated to the NPF Medical Board, and a current member of the NPF Emeritus Board, Jacobson is recognized as a leader in the allied health field, often sharing her expertise with other providers through various speaking engagements. She is a member of the editorial board of Practical Dermatology®.