Honorary Awards

They have in common a desire to share knowledge and shape dermatology — its study and research, its practice, and its care of patients. Their distinctive contributions to dermatology set them apart, and DF pays tribute to them through its Honorary Awards Program.

There are four award categories — Lifetime Career Educator, Practitioner of the Year, Clark W. Finnerud Award, and the Distinguished Service Award, which has been presented only seven times.

Meet the 2023 recipients of a DF Honorary Award: Dr. Timothy Berger, Lifetime Career Educator; Dr. Michael Goldfarb, Practitioner of the Year; Dr. Jeffrey Herten, Clark Finnerud Award; and Dr. John Voorhees, Distinguished Service Medallion.

In this issue we present Practitioner of the Year recipient Dr. Michael Goldfarb.

The Value of Connection

In the 38 years he has mentored residents, lectured on dermatology, and run a clinical practice, Dr. Goldfarb has advocated the value of human connection with patients and residents. He believes it inspires trust, enables learning, creates a reciprocal environment of care, and is the central element to bring to a lecture hall, a clinical research unit, or a patient clinic.

The Diversity of Skin

In March 2022, Dr. Callender received the Dermatology Foundation’s Clark W. Finnerud Award presented to an individual who “most skillfully blends clinical practice with writing and teaching dermatology, thereby serving as a mentor and role model.”

An Advocate for Dermatology

The Distinguished Service Medallion is the highest honor the Foundation confers on a colleague in recognition of exemplary leadership and service to the specialty of dermatology.

The Translational Educator

Listening to Dr. Victoria Werth lecture in dermatology is like taking a master class —one where you hang onto every word and commit to developing your career with as high a degree of intention as she has.

A Practice of Care

Dr. William Sawchuk first learned about dermatology when he was a boy and his brother needed treatment for a severe case of acne. The family met with the local dermatologist, a hardship for a blue-collar family, who provided the necessary treatment.