La Roche-Posay Gives Grant

La Roche-Posay named the first winner of its “Dermatologist from the Heart” program in the United States, launched in partnership with La Fondation La Roche-Posay. Andrew C. Krakowski, a pediatric dermatologist from La Jolla, CA, has been selected as the recipient of a $10,000 grant in support of his exceptional project “MissionSkin.org” that seeks to create an Internet-based platform for physicians to share knowledge about scar treatment.

Dr. Krakowski was chosen out of a pool of applicants who submitted proposals outlining projects aimed at enhancing patients’ quality of life. A five-member panel reviewed each submission and selected Dr. Krakowski and his project “MissionSkin.org” as the winner. He was recognized for his achievement at an awards ceremony held in Chicago, Illinois, at the American Society for Dermatological Surgery annual meeting on October 3rd.

“It is truly an honor to have been chosen as the winner of the “Dermatologist from the Heart” program,” says Dr. Krakowski. “As a pediatric dermatologist, I’ve met hundreds of children who have been physically scarred, and I want nothing more than to give them, and countless other scar patients of all ages, easy access to treatment options that will relieve them of the physical reminders of their traumas, and ultimately, make them feel better about themselves.”

The inspiration for this project came about when Dr. Krakowski observed the significant lack of open discussion regarding scar treatment. This area of medicine has historically been overlooked and under-appreciated, given that scars are often viewed as an expected consequence of injuries.

The goal of “MissionSkin.org” is to be “the first and only web portal dedicated to directly improving our knowledge of scar treatment and revision” according to Dr. Krakowski’s proposal. The benefit of the unique website is two-fold: Scar patients will be connected with local experts in their region, and additionally, dermatologists, burn surgeons, reconstructive surgeons and primary care physicians will have a forum to consult with and educate one another regarding scar treatment options.

“Our panel was incredibly impressed with Dr. Krakowski’s proposal,” says Committee Chair Tom Rohrer. “Scar treatment is a rapidly evolving area of medicine, and MissionSkin.org is an extremely inventive idea aimed at keeping pace with these developments by facilitating discussion and connecting patients with physicians. It’s exactly the sort of humanitarian, generous-spirited project the “Dermatologist from the Heart” initiative was created to support.”

2013 marks the inaugural year of the “Dermatologist from the Heart” program in the United States, and La Fondation La Roche-Posay has plans to debut the vital initiative across numerous other countries in the coming years. Through this program, the La Fondation La Roche-Posay seeks to further its goal of making the invaluable skills, knowledge and expertise of dermatologists available to the broader public.