On June 25, 2021, the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) announced the recipients of its annual CDA Awards and CDA Public Education Awards. These award categories recognize dermatologists for their contributions to the specialty and acknowledge excellence in promoting understanding of dermatology issues and healthy behaviours.
Dr. Wayne Gulliver of St. John’s, NL, was awarded the prestigious CDA Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Gulliver is the Medical Editor of The Chronicle of Skin & Allergy.
Dr. Gulliver was honoured with this award for his commitment to dermatology. One of the first dermatologists to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador, Dr. Gulliver continues to advocate for increased access to dermatology care in rural areas.
In April 2019, Dr. Gulliver was the first Canadian to receive the Albert Neisser Lecture Award for his research on hidradenitis suppurativa. He has also made novel research contributions to multiple areas of dermatology, including melanoma, psoriasis epidemiology and therapeutics. He has also held the position of vice-president of the CDA.
Another 2021 award recipient was Dr. Gordon Searles, who received the CDA Award of Merit. This award recognizes the excellence of leadership and outstanding contributions to the CDA and Canadian and international dermatology, according to the release: “[Dr. Searles] is recognized around the world for his experience in wound healing and complex dermatology conditions that overlap with internal medicine. Dr. Searles has been involved in dermatology education for more than 30 years at the University of Alberta and was one of the initiators of the Canadian Professors of Dermatology’s Residents Innovation and Vision in Education (DRIVE) program.”
Dr. Searles has also advocated for equal access to medications and dermatology care for disadvantaged groups. He is the current chair of the medical advisory board of the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance, and secretary-treasurer on the board of directors for Camp Liberté—a summer camp for children with skin diseases.
The full list of the 2021 recipients of the CDA Awards and CDA Public Education Awards can be found at this link.