2004 Rose Hirschler Award - Richard Odom, MD | News & Information of the Women's Dermatologic Society

The Rose Hirschler Award annually honors an outstanding physician who has contributed to medicine and dermatology while enhancing the role of women in the dermatologic specialty. Rose Hirschler, MD was the first known female dermatologist in the United States.

The WDS proudly presented the prestigious Rose Hirschler Award to Dr. Richard Odom at the recent Washington DC Annual Luncheon Meeting. Dr. Odom has been a member of the WDS since 1980 when he was a dermatologist in the military. He has an illustrious career as a faculty member of the University of California, San Francisco since 1984. As a Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Chief of the Dermatologic Clinics, and Director of the residency training program, he was interested in the issues and problems that women face professionally and personally. In 1995, he was named Interim Chair of the UCSF Department of Dermatology. Dr. Odom was President of the American Academy of Dermatology in 1987. Many distinguished awards have honored Dr. Odom, including the Marion B. Sulzberger International Lectureship Award in 1990. He has been the author of numerous articles. His continued interest and concerns for women is seen with his participation on the current WDS Board of Directors and the WDS Executive Committee.

During his Award presentation, Dr. Odom outlined multiple reasons for belonging to and supporting the WDS.

WDS strongly fosters networking between members, with residents, and with international members.
WDS emphasizes mentoring for residents that allows them to find new pathways and interests in dermatology.
WDS supports International Travel Awards that allow foreign residents or young dermatologists to attend the AAD/A educational meeting.
WDS nurtures leadership growth for dermatologists by providing opportunities to be members of WDS committees or task forces that strengthen their confidence to participate in other local, regional, and national organizations, including the academy.
WDS is initiating a 2005 Medical Student Awareness Program to expose medical students to the field of dermatology.
WDS shares Practice Management through a reception that opens up member offices for members to see and learn.

How fortunate WDS is to have a caring and gracious gentleman like Dr. Odom to help network women and men in dermatology. A quote from Dr. Odom is the following: “Whether you are male or female, if you don’t belong to the WDS, you are missing a great opportunity.”

Dr. Odom well deserves the Rose Hirschler Award. Not only his four daughters and one son, but also the members of WDS, are appreciative of his sensitivity and guidance. Dr. Odom is graced by his lovely wife, Elise Herzog Odom.

WDS is honored to add Dr. Odom as the nineteenth awardee of the Rose Hirschler Award.

2009	Ilona Frieden, MD
2008	Janet G. Hickman, MD
2007	E. Dorinda Shelley, MD
2006	Lenore Kakita, MD
2005	Patricia G. Engasser, MD
2004	Richard Odom, MD
2003	Elizabeth I. McBurney, MD
2002	Nia K. Terezakis, MD
2001	Gloria Graham, MD
2001	Ruth Freinkel, MD
2000	Barbara A. Gilchrest, MD
1999	Inga Silberberg-Sinakin, MD & G. Jeanette Thorbecke, MD, PhD
1998	Antoinette F. Hood, MD
1997	Vera Price, MD
1996	Wilma F. Bergfeld, MD
1995	Ricky K. Schachter, MD
1993	Marie-Louise Johnson, MD
1992	Stephania Jablonska, MD
1991	Frances J. Storrs, MD
1990	Walter B. Shelley, MD
1989	Nancy Burton Esterly, MD & Margaret Gray Wood, MD
1988	Miriam Chancy Reed, MD

Mark Your Calendar: WDS 35th Annual Meeting Luncheon in Miami, FL - Sunday, March 7, 2010 (Details...)

The Women's Dermatologic Society supports the careers and professional development of women dermatologists. The mission of the Women’s Dermatologic Society is to help women in dermatology achieve their greatest personal and professional potential by striving to foster, promote, and support women’s issues in dermatology; identify, train, and recognize women leaders in dermatology; provide a forum for developing relationships and the exchange of ideas and research relevant to women’s issues; and promote the highest possible standards of ethics, research, patient care and education, as well as public education. WDS is comprised of more than 1,500 members nationally and internationally, representing all sub-specialties in dermatology and work in private practice, academics and research.