Nebraska State Sen. Robert Hilkemann, who sponsored the truth in advertising bill, was recognized as the State Legislative Patient Safety Hero.

Nebraska State Sen Robert Hilkemann, who sponsored the truth in advertising bill, was recognized as the State Legislative Patient Safety Hero.

The Nebraska Dermatology Society received the State Dermatological Society Patient Safety Hero award for its efforts to promote truth in advertising.

The Patient Safety Hero Awards—announced during the recent 2015 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Meeting in Chicago and given by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA)—recognize leaders who have taken an active role in the promotion and protection of patient safety in dermatologic procedures. The ASDSA is the patient safety and advocacy arm of the ASDS.

The Nebraska Dermatology Society was honored with the State Dermatological Society Patient Safety Hero award for its work to pass Legislative Bill 452 containing amendments to the Uniform Credentialing Act, which requires those advertising healthcare services to clearly state their credentials and to refrain from false and misleading advertising.

Two ASDSA members—Lawrence J. Green, MD, and David J. Watts, MD—were presented with Physician Patient Safety Hero awards. Green worked in Maryland on several patient safety issues, assisted the Resident State Advocacy Work Group with educational videos, and testified before the US Food and Drug Administration on behalf of the ASDSA regarding Kybella. He also is chair of the ASDSA Research and Policy Priorities Work Group. Watts, a member of the ASDSA State Affairs Work Group, was active in the successful effort to pass the truth in advertising bill in Nebraska.