The International Burn Foundation of the United States
Grantor of the Tanner-Vandeput-Boswick Burn Prize
INTERNATIONAL BURN FOUNDATION AWARDS NAOKI AIKAWA, M.D., WITH THE 2018 TANNER-VANDEPUT-BOSWICK BURN PRIZE
Dr. Naoki Aikawa to be honored for career contributions to the field of burn care research and clinical practice.
Durham, NC – May 10, 2018. The International Burn Foundation (IBF) today announced that the Tanner-Vandeput-Boswick Burn prize for 2018 will be given to Dr. Naoki Aikawa of Tokyo, Japan. The prize, which totals approximately $100,000, will be presented at the Congress of the International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI) to be held in Dehli, India December 1, 2018. In addition to the cash award the prize includes a gold and diamond pin designed by the late Dr. J.C. Tanner.
“Dr. Aikawa has devoted his career to the treatment of burn injuries” according to a statement from the Jane Boswick-Caffrey, Chairmen of the IBF, “His contributions to the field have made a significant impact on the care and treatment of burn victims, and the leadership he has brought to the burn care profession has been exemplary.”
“Considering the prominent accomplishments of all the past recipients of the prize, I still cannot believe that my humble work is recognized for this highest honor. ”said Dr. Aikawa during a recent interview. “
Dr. Aikawa attended Keio University School of Medicine for his MD and D.M.Sc. degrees. He continued his training as a resident at Keio University Hospital before going to Massachusetts General Hospital as a Clinical and Research Fellow. He returned to Japan to finish his surgical training and since has held a number of Professional Appointments across Japan and the world. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Aikawa has contributed as an advisor to the Japanese government and on the boards of a number of international organizations dedicated to fields related to burn care. Dr. Aikawa’s commitment to leadership in the burn care field is exemplified through his numerous roles in these organizations as well as his society positions and awards.
“As a young surgeon, when I first attended an iron mill worker with critical burns I could not do much to save him. Then, I went to study in the U.S. so I could gain more skill and training. During the five decades since then, the morbidity and mortality of severe burns have been tremendously reduced, but there are still many casualties suffering from complications of burns.” Dr. Aikawa stated, “My current efforts are focused on improvement of healthcare including prevention and treatment of burns.”
About the Tanner-Vandeput-Boswick Burn Prize:
The Tanner-Vandeput-Boswick (TVB) Burn Prize was established in 1984 by the late Dr. J.C. Tanner of Atlanta, GA. Dr. Tanner, assisted by Dr. Jacques Vandeput, invented the Tanner-Vandeput Mesh Dermatome, a device that enables skin grafts to be expanded to cover a larger area of a patient’s burn. The International Burn Foundation (IBF) was created to promote and administer the TVB Burn prize. Dr. Tanner honored the contributions of the late Dr. John Boswick, first Chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors, by adding his name to the prize. The prize is quadrennial, and will be given out again in 2022. You can read more on the website: www.internationalburnfoundation.org.