November 9, 2023 – Three PeDRA members have been recognized for outstanding contributions to the field of pediatric dermatology research as part of the 2023 PeDRA Awards Program. Announcements were made during the Welcome Session at the 2023 PeDRA Annual Conference before an audience of roughly 360 conference attendees.
The PeDRA Awards Program was implemented by the PeDRA Board of Directors in 2023 to recognize individuals who distinguish themselves as volunteers, mentors, and community members, thus bringing us closer to PeDRA’s vision of changing lives and healing children with skin disease through collaboration and discovery. Nominations were gathered between March and August of 2023, following which the PeDRA Nominating Committee underwent a rigorous review to determine awardees. The 2023 PeDRA Awardees are:
Francesca Tenconi, MBA was recognized as the 2023 Community Member of the Year. Francesca is the Founder and Executive Director of the Children’s Skin Disease Foundation, which runs the annual Camp Wonder for children living with skin diseases. She demonstrated tremendous creativity and generosity towards the PeDRA community, including hosting a “mini Camp Wonder” at the PeDRA Annual Conference each year, ongoing service as the chair of PeDRA’s Patient Advisory Committee, and the first non-clinician member of the PeDRA Board of Directors.
Jillian Rork, MD was recognized as the 2023 Volunteer of the Year. Dr. Rork is a pediatric dermatologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. She devotes time to PeDRA as co-chair of the Down Syndrome subgroup of the Genetic Skin Disorders Focused Study Group, a member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, and contributor to many PeDRA meetings, educational programs, and other activities.
James Treat, MD was recognized as the 2023 Mentor of the Year. Dr. Treat is a pediatric dermatologist and Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Dermatology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He distinguished himself as a mentor on a 2022 PeDRA Research Fellowship Grant, supporter of numerous medical students, and champion of the field of pediatric dermatology.
Thanks to each of this year’s awardees for their contributions to PeDRA and the field of pediatric dermatology research! Be on the lookout for outstanding contributors over the next year and submit nominations for 2024 PeDRA Awards on the PeDRA Awards Program webpage starting in early 2024.
If you aren’t already a PeDRA member, join us to be eligible for a future PeDRA Award.
