Patient Safety Hero Awards

2021 Patient Safety Award Winner

The 2021 ASDSA State Legislative Patient Safety Hero went to Senator Joshua Miller, who was crucial in passing ASDSA’s SUNucate model legislation in Rhode Island, which allows children to possess and utilize sunscreen at school without a physician’s note or prescription. The ASDSA State Dermatological Society Patient Safety Hero award winner is the Rhode Island Dermatology Society (RIDS). RIDS has been chosen for this honor because of their persistence in passing SUNucate.

The SUNucate law in Rhode Island allows students, parents and school personnel to use an FDA-approved sunscreen without a physician’s note or prescription. The law also includes a provision for school districts to incorporate teaching sun-safe behaviors in schools. The legislation went into effect immediately, allowing students in Rhode Island to be protected from dangerous ultraviolet rays while outdoors during the 2021-22 school year.

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Each year, ASDSA recognizes individuals or organizations for assuming a leadership role in the promotion and protection of patient safety. Nominees are honored for their vital participation in a campaign focused on patient safety that raises awareness of ASDSA's advocacy priorities and demonstrates a model for success. Awardees are nominated by fellow ASDSA members and are announced each year at the ASDS / ASDSA Annual Meeting. The deadline for nomination letters is Aug. 1. Nominations can be emailed to advocacy@asds.net.

Patient Safety Hero Awards are presented in the following categories:

Physician Patient Safety Hero: Presented to an ASDSA member

The 2019 winner was Amy Brodsky, MD, Founder of Pediatric Sun Protection Foundation. Previous winners include Carrie L. Davis, MD; Aaron Mangold, MD; Mark B. Taylor, MD; David Watts, MD; and Lawrence J. Green, MD.

State Dermatological Society Patient Safety Hero: Presented to a state dermatological society

The Illinois Dermatology Society won the 2019 award. Previous winners include the Indiana Academy of Dermatology, Arizona Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery Society, the Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and the Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology.

State and/or Federal Legislative Patient Safety Hero: Presented to a state and/or federal legislator

Previous recipients include: Illinois State Representative John Connor, Indiana State Senator Liz Brown, Nebraska State Senator Robert Hilkemann and Georgia State Senator Judson Hill.

State and/or Federal Regulatory Patient Safety Hero: Presented to a state and/or federal regulatory individual or agency

Previous state winners include the Maryland Board of Pharmacy and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.