Dr. Alan R. Shalita Receives Prestigious Honor from American Academy of Dermatology
Apr 12, 2013
Alan R. Shalita, MD, distinguished teaching professor and chair of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, has been awarded the Gold Medal of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the organization’s highest honor. He received the award at the AAD’s 71st Annual Meeting in Miami.
A pioneer in the treatment of acne, Dr. Shalita is recognized nationally and worldwide
for his skills as a clinician, researcher, and educator in dermatology. Since 1975,
Dr. Shalita has been chief of dermatology for both SUNY Downstate’s University Hospital
of Brooklyn and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation’s Kings County
Hospital Center, and a consultant in dermatology services for the Brooklyn campus
of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. He is also associate dean for graduate
medical education and clinical affairs at Downstate.
The Gold Medal is presented by the AAD in recognition of outstanding and exceptional
service to the specialty of dermatology and substantial impact on the future of the
science, teaching, and practice of cutaneous medicine. In addition, the award honors
an outstanding and exceptional contribution to the administrative aspects of the specialty
– nationally or internationally. Gold Medal honorees also are accorded honorary membership
in the Academy in recognition of their dedication and life-long commitment to the
Academy and its mission. The award was presented to Dr. Shalita by Daniel M. Siegel,
MD, president of the Academy, who is also clinical professor of dermatology at Downstate.
Dr. Shalita received his bachelor’s degree from Brown University, where he first became
interested in the biology of sebaceous glands and acne, under the mentorship of the
late Professor William Montagna. He received his medical degree from the Bowman Grey
School of Medicine of Wake Forest University and completed his residency and fellowship
training at New York University Medical Center, following which he served on the faculty
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.
Dr. Shalita has published more than 100 original articles in peer-reviewed journals
and several book chapters. In addition to his academic activities, Dr. Shalita has
served as president of the American Dermatological Association and the Association
of Professors of Dermatology, as well as vice president of the American Academy of
Dermatology. He is the recipient of many honors and awards, including honorary membership
in a number of international medical societies, and citations in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World .
Celebrating 75 years of promoting skin, hair, and nail health, and headquartered in
Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology is the largest, most influential,
and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more
than 18,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis
and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating
high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting
and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair, and nails.
### About SUNY Downstate Medical Center SUNY Downstate Medical Center, founded in 1860, was the first medical school in the
United States to bring teaching out of the lecture hall and to the patient’s bedside.
A center of innovation and excellence in research and clinical service delivery, SUNY
Downstate Medical Center comprises a College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School
of Health Professions, a School of Graduate Studies, School of Public Health, University
Hospital of Brooklyn, and a multifaceted biotechnology initiative including the Downstate
Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT for early-stage and more mature companies, respectively. SUNY Downstate ranks twelfth nationally in the number of alumni who are on the faculty
of American medical schools. More physicians practicing in New York City have graduated
from SUNY Downstate than from any other medical school.