2020 Medical Professional Award Winners

This award honors highly meritorious efforts by health professionals in the field of psoriatic disease education. The educator has been chosen for their significant, long-term national or international contributions to psoriatic disease education.

Mark Lebwohl, M.D., Waldman Chair of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Dr. Lebwohl is being honored for his long-term national and international contributions to psoriatic disease education. An accomplished writer and prolific contributor to the clinical knowledge base, Dr. Lebwohl has authored or co-authored more than 500 publications and written or edited several books, including the first atlas devoted entirely to cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease, and the leading textbook on dermatologic therapy, Treatment of Skin Disease.

Serving on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and the Journal of Skin Cancer, Dr. Lebwohl is also editor of the Dermatology Section of Scientific American Medicine and co-Editor-in-Chief of Skin, the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine. He is a founding editor of the Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis and continues to support the vision and growth of the journal.

A past president of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and former chairman of the Psoriasis Task Force of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Lebwohl has chaired numerous symposia including the AAD's annual Psoriasis Symposium, Diagnostic Update Symposium, and Therapeutics Symposium. He has provided key podcasts and webinars to address community needs. Dr. Lebwohl’s knowledge, clinical experience and mentorship has significantly contributed to the education of many professionals treating psoriatic disease today.

The Outstanding Physician-Clinician - Dermatology award recognizes a physician for outstanding achievements in improving psoriatic disease clinical practice and who has played a major or lasting role with national impact in improving the quality of life of patients and their families. The winner of this award is actively involved in the clinical care of patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and has an outstanding track record of sharing their expertise with other health care professionals as documented by presentations and/or authorship of books, articles and reference materials.

Robert Kalb, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the State University of New York at Buffalo

Dr. Kalb balances managing a busy dermatology practice, Buffalo Medical Group, while also being a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Completing his dermatology training at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in 1986, Dr. Kalb specializes in immune-mediated disease and has been involved in research for the past 13 years.

A past member of the NPF Medical Board and serving on the International Psoriasis Council, Dr. Kalb is being honored for his outstanding achievements as a dermatologist in improving psoriatic disease clinical practice and for improving the quality of life of psoriasis patients and their families. Recognized internationally as a collegial physician, Dr. Kalb is always available to assist patients, trainees, dermatologists, and other health care professionals with an interest in psoriasis. Sharing his knowledge and expertise of psoriasis through his dermatology practice and teaching medical students, Dr. Kalb has been published in over 60 top medical publications. From addressing the use of the topical calcipotriene to the safety and efficacy of modern biologic treatment, Dr. Kalb has covered all the major developments in psoriasis over the past 25 years.

The Outstanding Physician-Clinician - Rheumatology award recognizes a physician for outstanding achievements in improving psoriatic disease clinical practice and who has played a major or lasting role with national impact in improving the quality of life of patients and their families. The winner of this award is actively involved in the clinical care of patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis and has an outstanding track record of sharing their expertise with other health care professionals as documented by presentations and/or authorship of books, articles and reference materials.

Evan Siegel, M.D., FACP, FACR, Assistant Clinical Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine

Evan Siegel, M.D., FACP, FACR, is assistant clinical professor of medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and has been appointed as a special clinical consultant to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additionally, he is the medical director of Arthritis and Rehabilitation Therapy Services, the physical therapy division of Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates, P.C. Dr. Siegel has a special interest in psoriatic arthritis and other spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis. He chaired the committee charged with developing psoriatic arthritis guidelines for United Rheumatology, a national group representing private practice rheumatologists and was on the committee to develop guidelines for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis for the American College of Rheumatology. Committed to providing comprehensive care, Dr. Siegel often collaborates with a patient’s dermatologist to ensure all aspects of psoriatic disease is addressed appropriately. As a member of the NPF Medical Board, Dr. Siegel is a leading voice in the development of joint Dermatologist/Rheumatologist training programs. He is the first recipient as this is the inaugural year of this award.

The NPF Health Professional Volunteer of the Year award recognizes a health care professional who has promoted NPF’s mission of improving the life for people with psoriatic disease through exceptional contributions to key initiatives of the Foundation. The winner has been actively involved in the NPF at the affiliate, local or national level within the last five years, and has a history of contributions to NPF goals and objectives.

James Krell, M.D., Clinical Professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham

James Krell, M.D. is a clinical professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He earned his M.D. at Harvard Medical School and completed his residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was chief resident. Dr. Krell is board certified in both Alabama and Georgia. He has authored many articles and has spoken on the topic of psoriasis both in the US and internationally. A dedicated volunteer, Dr. Krell participates in NPF research studies and raises funds and awareness of the Foundation with patients and the broader Birmingham community.

The Outstanding Allied Health Professional award recognizes an allied health professional for outstanding achievements in improving psoriatic disease clinical practice and who has played a major or lasting role with national impact in improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

Susan Hammerling-Hodgers, PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA, Dermatology Physician Assistant at BrevardSkin and Cancer

Susan Hammerling-Hodgers, PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA, has been a dermatology physician assistant since 2001 and currently works at Brevard Skin and Cancer. Recognized for outstanding achievements in improving psoriatic disease clinical practice, Ms. Hammerling-Hodgers is committed to providing her patients the care and treatment needed to address all aspects of their psoriatic disease. Thorough exams and in-depth medical histories enable Ms. Hammerling-Hodgers to find the appropriate treatment for each patient’s unique psoriasis presentation. Driven by a passion for educating the community on comorbidities associated with psoriasis, specifically the psychosocial impact of the disease, Ms. Hammerling-Hodgers writes a health focused column in Florida Today, which is part of the USA Today network of publications.