February, 2005Thomas G. Olsen, MD Recipient of the Dermatology Foundation's 2004 Clark W. Finnerud Award

Thomas G. Olsen, MD, Dayton, OH, a dermatologist and dermatopathologist in
private practice and Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Wright State University
School of Medicine, is the 2004 recipient of the Dermatology Foundation's
Clark W. Finnerud Award, which recognizes a dermatologist who epitomizes
commitment to the specialty as a part-time teacher and clinician.
This annual award was presented to Dr. Olsen at the Dermatology Foundation's
Annual Meeting on Saturday, February 19, 2005, in New Orleans, LA during the
American Academy of Dermatology's Annual Meeting and is named in honor of the
late Clark W. Finnerud, MD, whose career symbolized his commitment to excellence
during his 47 years at Rush Medical College in Chicago as teacher, practitioner,
researcher, and committed supporter of the specialty. In addition to this
commitment, Dr. Finnerud's personal generosity helped launch the Dermatology
Foundation in 1964 and started it on an on-going and successful 40-year movement
to shape and benefit all of dermatology.
Dr. Olsen received his B.S. and M.D. from Indiana University, Bloomington,
IN. Following a residency in internal medicine, Dr. Olsen's career as a
dermatologist began as a resident in dermatology at Cincinnati General Hospital,
Cincinnati, OH, in the late 1970's. Dr. Olsen then spent several years in
research at the Public Health Service of the National Institutes of Health and
was an Osborne Fellow in dermatopathology at the Armed Forces Institute of
Pathology. In 1980, he joined the department of dermatology at Yale University,
New Haven, CT as an assistant professor and was a clinician in Yale's health
service as well as in a community health clinic. Since the mid-80's, Dr. Olsen
has practiced as both a dermatologist and dermatopathologist in Dayton, OH and
is also Clinical Professor, Dermatology, at Wright State University School of
Medicine.
At Wright State Dr. Olsen demonstrates his commitment to teaching dermatology
and dermatopathology to residents and medical students. Both in the academic
setting of the division and in his private dermatopathology practice, where he
invites residents to read slides with him, Dr. Olsen challenges residents and
students to think in new ways and be aware of his motto that medicine is not
black and white, but shades of gray.
That Dr. Olsen is a role model and mentor is evident from the selected
commentary of residents over the past decade. They describe him as the core and
cornerstone of their education in dermatology and dermatopathology; someone who
always has time to step through even the most difficult diagnoses. Dr. Olsen's
gentle nature and soft-spoken manner -- with patients and residents -- combined
with his commanding knowledge of dermatopathology complete the profile of a
teacher and practitioner who is a profound inspiration to them in their careers.
Dr. Olsen's colleagues and peers cite his other contributions to his chosen
specialties over the years. He has co-authored articles for such publications as
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and New England Journal of
Medicine. Through his involvement in state and national dermatology and
dermatopathology organizations, Dr. Olsen has served as an officer of the Ohio
Dermatological Association, a member of the American Academy of Dermatology's
Board of Directors and a member of the American Society of Dermatopathology. He
has dealt with many policy and socioeconomic issues related to Medicare and
managed care and was a key player in resolving the controversies surrounding
reimbursement for the treatment of solar keratoses. Moreover, in the tradition
of Dr. Finnerud, Dr. Olsen is also a philanthropist among his colleagues. An
early member of the Annenberg Circle of the Dermatology Foundation, he is an
active member of the Committee asking his peers to join him in this $25,000
lifetime commitment to benefit all of dermatology.
The Dermatology Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1964
by a group of concerned dermatologists to advance patient care by developing the
research and teaching careers of the next generation of medical and surgical
dermatologists. Second only to the federal government as a source of funding for
dermatologic research that addresses both medical and surgical practice
concerns, the DF is supported by contributions from individual members of the
specialty and the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and surgical industries to support
its broad-based programs.
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