Members Making a Difference award

The Members Making a Difference award is the highest honor that a volunteer can receive in the Academy's Volunteer Recognition Program.

About the award
One award is given each month and the winner is profiled in Dermatology World. Award-winners are chosen based on the significance of the work they have done and the category of service. This award is based on cumulative volunteer service, and all nominees will remain on the selection list for up to three years.

Nominations are accepted continuously throughout the year. View the Nominate/apply tab below for more information.

Nominees should meet two of the eight following criteria:

Exceptional service to the underserved.
Exceptional service to the community.
Exceptional service to state/local/medical/subspecialty dermatology society.
Exceptional service to academic/physician education.
Exceptional service to the Academy.
Exceptional service to the international audience.
Significant commitment of time, energy and resources.
Significant benefit to others as a result of their volunteerism.
Volunteer work is outside the realm of paid positions.

Selection process
The Academy Volunteerism Committee reviews all completed nominations and selects 12 winners at the Annual Meeting in March. The recipients are notified several months before their announcement in Dermatology World.

Esther Freeman, MD: May 2012
Casey Carlos, MD: April 2012
Steven Flax, MD: March 2012
Timothy Woodall, MD: February 2012
Aisha Sethi, MD, January 2012
Wilson Liao, MD, December 2011
David Biro, MD, PhD, November 2011
Bruce A. Deitchman, MD, October 2011
R. Rox Anderson, MD, September 2011
Joel Thomas Bamford, MD, August 2011
Elizabeth Sanders Jacobson, MD, July 2011
Tina Chen, MD, June 2011
Kenneth Howard Kraemer, MD, May 2011
Jeffrey N. Thompson, DO, April 2011
Jonathan Kantor, MD, March 2011
Oliver Fred Miller, III, MD, February 2011
Ronald H. Falcon, MD, January 2011
Benjamin F. Chong, MD, December 2010
James M. Spencer, MD, November 2010
Miguel R. Sanchez, MD, October 2010

The dermatologist who receives this award will be honored at the recognition luncheon during the Academy’s 2012 Annual Meeting in San Diego. The winner also will receive a plaque and be recognized in Dermatology World and on the AAD website.

The Members Making a Difference Award winners will be presented with a plaque during the recognition luncheon at the American Academy of Dermatology's 70th Annual Meeting in San Diego.

Contact: Nikki Haton, administrative assistant, Member Services
Phone: (847) 240-1350
Fax: (847) 240-1920
Email: nhaton@aad.org
Nominate/apply: You may submit a nomination or apply for the Members Making a Difference Award through our online application form.
Deadline: Nominations are accepted continuously throughout the year.