The American Skin Association’s (ASA) SPOTS (Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students) program will receive the inaugural 2024 Research Achievement Award in Community Education/Outreach at the upcoming 2024 Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Annual Meeting in Dallas, TX.
SPOTS is a community educational outreach initiative which targets students from preschool through high school to promote awareness about skin cancer prevention and early detection. Led by medical students, the program employs innovative methods such as interactive activities, personal narratives, and includes a specific emphasis on skin of color. Now, more than 60 medical schools have adopted the SPOTS program which has yielded positive outcomes, enriching the knowledge of medical students in prevention and detection while empowering children and teenagers to safeguard themselves against sun exposure.
The 2024 Research Achievement Award in Community Education/Outreachwill be accepted by two members of the SPOTS leadership team, Sofia Chaudhry, MD, of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and M. Laurin Council, MD, of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The SPOTS program is overseen by Lynn Cornelius, MD, from Washington University in St. Louis, President of SID, and her team which includes the award recipients.
“The SPOTS program is a public health campaign dedicated to teaching youth across the country about the importance of skin cancer prevention and early detection,” says award recipient, Sofia Chaudhry, MD, in a news release. “Given that early intervention is key, SPOTS educates school children about the need for sun protection. Students learn how skin cancer can present differently on different skin colors, increasing awareness of what to look out for. Through our partnership with American Skin Association, SPOTS has been able to expand and reach more students. We are honored to receive this award.”
David A. Norris, MD, President of ASA adds, “I am honored to present this award to Drs. Chaudhry and Council on behalf of American Skin Association. Their program provides necessary understanding about the importance of sun safety to children across the country.”
ASA Chairman, Howard P. Milstein adds, “Adequate awareness of sun safety & skin health is crucial for reducing the incidence of skin cancer, and the SPOTS team is spearheading efforts for successful prevention. ASA takes great pride in its six-year partnership with the SPOTS program and is honored to extend this well-deserved recognition.”
“The SPOTS team diligently strives to educate school-aged children on sun protection and skin cancer prevention, and stands as a deserving recipient of this honor,” added Humberto C. Antunes, Co-Chair of ASA’s Education Council. “Our six-year partnership emphasizes the alignment between SPOTS’ mission and the core values of American Skin Association, which prioritize raising awareness and educating individuals about the impacts of sun exposure.”
To learn more about the SPOTS program, visit spotseducation.org/.
