The CDA’s 2009 Public Education Awards were presented at the association’s annual conference in Vancouver. The awards are given for excellence in furthering the public’s knowledge of skin, hair and nail conditions and for encouraging healthy behaviours in these areas.

Media

Ms Jill Dunn, Glow Magazine

Jill Dunn, Glow Magazine

The Canadian Dermatology Association’s Public Education Award in media (print) category was presented to Jill Dunn of Glow Magazine for her article Good Day Sunshine.

The article raises the awareness about the sun and its dangerous effects on the skin from  UVA and UVB rays.  It addresses the importance of sunscreens, their compositions and how to choose a sunscreen for optimal use.

In her article Ms Dunn did an excellent job of informing readers about the difference in sunscreens and the importance of its reapplication throughout her article.

Media

Dr Esiahas Amdemichael, left, presents Dr Sanjay Sharma, right, of Insidermedicine with the CDA Public Education Award in the Media category.

Insidermedicine

The Canadian Dermatology Association’s Public Education Award in media category was presented to Dr Sanjay Sharma of Insidermedicine for the If I had... Dermatology Series.

Insidermedicine is a physician-led news and medical information website where the public and patients may obtain accurate medical information in a video format.  The Dermatology Series raises the awareness of common dermatologic conditions and its treatment by Canadian Dermatologists.

Insidermedicine’s Dermatology Series dealt with a variety of skin related issues that was innovative, easily accessible, understandable and accurate.  

Industry

Dr Esiahas Amdemichael, centre, presents Ms Kristy Douglas, left, of Amgen Canada and Ms Sandra Wilson, right, of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals with the CDA Public Education Award in the Industry category.

Amgen Canada & Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

The Canadian Dermatology Association’s Public Education Award in the industry category was presented to Amgen Canada and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for their Psoriasis Connections program.

Amgen Canada and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals have created an excellent patient education website for psoriasis suffers, which provides valuable information about psoriasis, treatment options, resources and coping skills.  The materials, content and structure were developed with the guidance of a Committee comprised of leading dermatologists, nurses and patients.

The Psoriasis Connections website is unbiased, comprehensive and very helpful for patients and primary care physicians.  It discusses all the treatment options that are available for both limited and severe disease categories.

Not-for-Profit

Left to right: Myrna Wright, Rebecca Harbridge, and Christine Johnston

The Canadian Dermatology Association’s also awarded the Public Education Award in the not-for-profit category to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit for their A Hat is Where it's At! program.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit created this fun project for summer day camps to teach campers aged 4 to 12, counselors and management the importance of sun safety and how to reduce their exposure to UV radiation, while enjoying the outdoors.

Each week of camp, campers received an educational session on skin cancer prevention and then creatively decorated their sun safe hat.  They also learned how to protect themselves by wearing sun glasses, applying sunscreen, seeking shade and covering up with clothing.

The Health Unit’s project was fun and gave positive messages to camping children early on about the importance of sun safety when playing outdoors.

Not-for-Profit

Back row, left to right: 
Amanda Vandermeer,  Pradeep Surior, Irene Rutherford, Shaun McDonald, Glynn Lord, Denise Veale.

Front row, left to right: 
Steve Barker, Bev Billings, Joan Thomson, Aynsley Turner, Firuzi Poonevalla.

Absent: Martha VandePol

Durham Region Health Department

The Canadian Dermatology Association’s also awarded the Public Education Award in the not-for-profit category to the Durham Region Health Department for their Made for Shade: Community Partners to Prevent Skin Cancer program.

The Durham Region Health Department created an innovative project focusing on normalizing shade as a sun safety practice for the residents of Durham.  The Health Department partnered with The Canadian Cancer Society, Avoca Shade Systems, Kingsway Greenhouse, Van Belle Flowers, and Vandermeer Nursery Ltd. and produced a “Guide for Creating Shade at Home” which was distributed freely to the public. Local media also helped to communicate and promote shade as a way to reduce exposure to UVR.

The Health Department developed a unique sun safety project for the residents of Durham and for its creative partnership with local nurseries.