The Quality of Life Award is an honor that the Foundation presents each year to an individual(s) for their devotion and commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by ichthyosis. F.I.R.S.T. is pleased to announce that its first recipient of the Quality of Life Award is Eugene J. Van Scott, M.D., a world-renowned dermatologist from the Philadelphia area.

Dr. Van Scott began studying this disease during the 1950’s and has published more than 160 articles. His excellent research has led to improved treatments for dry skin disorders and to an increased understanding of how skin cells divide and mature.

F.I.R.S.T.’s Board of Directors unanimously decided to present this prestigious award to Dr. Van Scott because the "breadth and depth of his contributions to the treatment of ichthyosis and to understanding the fundamental processes of cell replication and maturation in cutaneous epithelia are legendary."

Dr. Van Scott was instrumental in the development of new treatments and the discoverer of the beneficial effect of alpha hydroxy acids on the skin.

He began his work at the National Cancer Institute and was the first director of the dermatology branch of that institute. Dr. Van Scott was brought to NCI by Dr. Gordon Zubrod, who was then chief of intramural research and who thought that understanding controls of cell replication and maturation in the cutaneous epithelia might give clues to understanding controls operative in epithelial cancer.

Working with Dr. Van Scott at NIH in the early 60’s when little was known about skin differentiation, were Robert Auerbach, Kenneth Blalock, William Clendenning, Arthur Eisen, Gerald Weinstein and Philip Frost. Their early research showed that cell division was increased in certain types of ichthyosis, while in others, scale formation was related to retention of dead cells.

Dr. Van Scott later moved to Temple University Medical School where he was joined by Dr. Ruey J. Yu in the discovery of the therapeutic benefits of alpha hydroxy acids. This group of acids includes glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and malic acid. Van Scott and his coworkers determined that these acids normalize abnormally dry skin when added to creams and lotions.

Dr. Van Scott received his medical training at the University of Chicago, was scientific director at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD, and has served on the faculty at Temple University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society for Experimental Pathology, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and many others.

Dr. Van Scott and his wife reside in Abington, PA and have three children.