Pioneering The Power of Prevention

The Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation (CMPF) honored Dr. Howard K. Koh with its first annual “Excellence in Melanoma Prevention Award” at its recent spring fundraising event. Attended by more than 300 guests, the benefit was held at Showcase LIVE in Foxboro and raised more than $50,000 to further the CMPF's work in skin cancer awareness and prevention education.

Dr. Koh is the former United States Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He previously served as Commissioner of Public Health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Shown at the presentation are (left to right): Sean M. Boucher, Vice President, Commercial Lending, Eastern Bank; Hingham resident Maryellen Maguire-Eisen, CMPF, Founder & Executive Director; Dr. Howard K. Koh, Honoree; Hingham resident Dr. Richard Eisen, Partner, South Shore Skin Center; Hingham resident Dr. Jeremy Warhaftig, Chief of Pediatrics, South Shore Medical Center; and Erin Presutti, CMPF, Assistant Director.

The award acknowledges an individual who has provided exceptional service and leadership in the prevention of melanoma through education, research, policy development, legislative action and/or raising community awareness. Dr. Koh was recognized for his work as one of the principle organizers and founders of the American Academy of Dermatology's National Skin Cancer Screening Program which has grown to become a national force, resulting in over 2 million Americans receiving free skin cancer screenings.

At the award presentation, Maguire-Eisen said, “Throughout his exceptional career in medicine and public health, Dr. Koh has demonstrated an outstanding understanding of the power of prevention and its impact on saving lives. As an oncologist and dermatologist, he knows that skin cancer is an important public health challenge. This is why, as Assistant Secretary of Health, he promoted the Surgeon General’s Call To Action to Prevent Skin Cancer. He urged all Americans to learn more about the risks for developing skin cancer and how to prevent it.”

In accepting the award, Dr. Koh said, “The tireless commitment and focus of the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation have inspired a tremendous new chapter in public health. I am deeply honored to be recognized by pioneers who have passionately promoted the power of prevention.”

A graduate of Yale College and the Yale University School of Medicine, Dr. Koh is the Harvey V. Fineberg Professor of the Practice of Public Health Leadership at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Kennedy School.

The evening included: a cocktail reception; comedy from Mitch Stinson, Nick Zino and Paul D'Angelo; silent and live auctions, celebrity appearances and more. Special guests included New England Patriots alumni Steve Nelson and Steve King, along with Boston Bruins alumni David Jensen and Glen Featherstone.

The benefit was supported by the generosity of sponsors: Atlantic Properties, Aurora DX, Boston Facial Plastic Surgery, Boston Private Bank, BR+A Consulting Engineers, Eastern Bank, Educational Dimensions, Fisher Law, Hingham Institute for Savings, Research Results Inc, Rockland Trust, SnapperRock and South Shore Skin Center.

The Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation

The Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about sun protection and skin cancer prevention, focusing on melanoma prevention through free educational programming. Each year, they provide their signature SunAWARE For Life Program to more than 80,000 children and the adults who care for them. Trained Foundation staff members provide the program at local schools, sailing clubs, recreation centers, day care centers and nationally at conventions and symposia. The organization’s motto is “preventing skin cancer, one child at a time through education and advocacy.”

Executive Director Maryellen Maguire-Eisen is an oncology and dermatology nurse with more than 30 years of experience. She's also an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Boston University and an American Cancer Society Scholar.

For more information, visit www.melanomaprevention.org.

Photo: Chris Bernstein/CDBphotos.com.

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