NPF Honors Extraordinary Medical Professionals for their Dedication to Patient Care at AAD 2024

Alexandria, Virginia – March 8, 2024

The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) proudly recognizes the impact of Samantha DeLorimier, MPAS, PA-C; Wilson Liao, M.D.; Arthur M. Mandelin, M.D., Ph.D., Misha Mutizwa, M.D., Alexis Ogdie-Beatty, M.D., MSCE; and Kendall Weishampel, R.N. as medical professionals doing exceptional work to improve the lives of those living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

These individuals represent the wide range of professionals who contribute to the advancement of the care, treatment, clinical research, and medical education needed to effectively manage and treat psoriatic disease. They join NPF in the mission to drive efforts to cure psoriatic disease and improve the lives of all those affected.

Medical Professional Award recipients were nominated by individuals living with psoriatic disease, colleagues, and NPF team members. Winners were selected by a committee of past award recipients and members of the NPF Medical Board. They were recognized at an NPF reception at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in San Diego.

“NPF is proud to honor this extraordinary and diverse group of medical professionals,” said Leah M. Howard, J.D., the President and CEO of NPF. “In their own unique way, each award winner has contributed to better health outcomes for the more than 8 million people in the U.S. living with psoriatic disease. We extend our appreciation and gratitude for the work of these individuals and their dedication to patient care.”

To recognize the wide range of professionals who provide medical care for the community, NPF has introduced a new award category this year. The Outstanding Medical Office Staff award recognizes a medical office staff member for achievements in patient advocacy, care, or care navigation for patients with psoriatic disease that has played a major or lasting role in improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

“NPF is committed to providing education and recognition to all health care professionals who serve the community,” said Guy Eakin, Ph.D., Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of NPF. “Through partnership with these individuals, we work together to ensure the best outcomes for those impacted by psoriatic disease.”

NPF is proud to announce this year's winners:

Outstanding Physician/Clinician (Dermatology)

This award recognizes a physician for outstanding achievements in improving psoriatic disease clinical practice and playing 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 psoriatic disease 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.

Misha Mutizwa, M.D.

Dermatologist at Geisinger Medical Center

Dr. Mutizwa is a board-certified Dermatologist recognized by the American Board of Dermatology with more than 10 years of experience in the field. He currently practices at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania.

His educational path started at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where he graduated magna cum laude, earning both his Bachelor of Arts and degree. He continued his journey at Duke University School of Medicine for his medical training, followed by an internship at the Albert Einstein Medical Center, and a residency at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. There, Dr. Mutizwa was selected to serve as chief resident during his final year. Dr. Mutizwa is celebrated by his patients for being professional, knowledgeable, and caring in the treatment of their psoriatic disease.

Outstanding Educator in Psoriatic Disease

This award honors highly meritorious efforts by health professionals in the field of psoriatic disease education.

Wilson Liao, M.D.

University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine

Dr. Liao is a Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the UCSF Department of Dermatology. He serves as Director of the UCSF Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center and is deeply engaged in patient care, clinical trials, and translational research.

Dr. Liao earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before embarking on his Clinical Research Training Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He then graduated from Harvard Medical School and joined UCSF for his Clinical Residency and Postdoctoral Fellowship, followed by permanent employment as a professor.

Dr. Liao is an active member of the National Psoriasis Foundation's Medical Board and Scientific Advisory Committee and is the immediate past chair of the SAC. He is also an active board member of the International Psoriasis Council. Among other projects, Dr. Liao oversees a comprehensive clinical program specializing in the treatment of patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. He is described by his colleagues as an exemplary educator in psoriatic disease.

Health Professional Volunteer of the Year

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

Arthur M. Mandelin, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor (Rheumatology) at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine

Dr. Mandelin is a board-certified rheumatologist accredited by the American Board of Internal Medicine with over 20 years of experience in the field.

He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin, followed by doctoral and medical training at The Chicago Medical School (now part of the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science) in North Chicago, Illinois. He then completed his internal medicine residency at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, where he served as president of the house staff during his senior year. Dr. Mandelin furthered his education with a rheumatology fellowship at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where he conducted post-doctoral research under Dr. Richard Pope on apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

After completing his fellowship, Dr. Mandelin was proud to be selected to stay on as a member of the faculty at Northwestern, where he is a contributor to the CorEvitas (formerly CORRONA) clinical research consortium as well as a co-investigator on several industry-sponsored trials.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Mandelin is a past member of the NPF Medical Board. To celebrate his contributions, achievements, and partnership with NPF, he has been selected as the 2024 Fleur de Cure Chicago Rheumatology Provider of the Year.

Outstanding Advanced Health Care Provider

This award recognizes an advanced provider for outstanding achievements in improving psoriatic disease clinical practice and playing a major or lasting role with national impact in improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

Samantha DeLorimier, MPAS, PA-C

Dallas Associated Dermatologists

Mrs. DeLorimier is a Physician Assistant certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners. She is a health care provider and practices under the direction of Dr. Chris W. Crawford.

Mrs. DeLorimier received her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, graduating Cum Laude. She then went on to receive her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Florida’s College of Medicine. She is passionate about caring for patients and helping them to look and feel their best.

Outstanding Medical Office Staff

This award recognizes a medical office staff member for outstanding achievements in patient advocacy, care, or care navigation of patients with psoriatic disease that has played a major or lasting role in improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

Kendall Weishampel, R.N.

Eastern Virginia Medical School

Kendall Weishampel is a registered nurse who has been practicing with Eastern Virginia Medical School Dermatology since 2015. In addition to serving as a phototherapy nurse, she also helps patients navigate health insurance and paves their path to access biologic medications.

Ms. Weishampel is dedicated to positively impacting her patients' lives through exceptional service and leading initiatives to improve clinical care quality.

Outstanding Physician/Clinician (Rheumatology)

Alexis Ogdie-Beatty, M.D., MSCE

Associate Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Ogdie-Beatty is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology) and Epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. She serves as the Director of the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and oversees the Penn Psoriatic Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis Program. Dr. Ogdie-Beatty also serves on the NPF Scientific Advisory Committee.

Dr. Ogdie-Beatty received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN, and her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She then completed her residency and fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and later obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania.

The mission of her research program is to improve outcomes in psoriatic arthritis by accelerating diagnosis, increasing the focus on meaningful, patient-centered outcomes, and developing and advancing methods for precision medicine.