At our 2025 Conference in Queenstown, we celebrated two awards that highlight what NZSCM is about: education, high standards, and lifting the bar for doctors in our field.

The Dr Ralph Saxe Education Award

This award is a tribute to Dr Ralph Saxe, an admired colleague and leader in cosmetic medicine in New Zealand. Ralph had a passion for education and professional growth, and this award keeps that legacy alive.

Thanks to the support of Dermocosmetica, the award includes $2,500 towards professional development and continues to support furthering education in cosmetic medicine.

This year’s recipient was Dr Elizabeth Byrnes. Many will remember her standout presentation at the 2023 NZSCM Conference on whakapapa in the context of cosmetic medicine. Her talk connected whakapapa with cosmetic medicine, adding cultural depth and highlighting the importance of a Māori perspective in how we practice. She reminded us that whakapapa is part of who we are and how we look, and that the goal of cosmetic medicine should not be to change identity but to enhance and respect it. Alongside this, Elizabeth has shown a consistent commitment to building her knowledge and keeping learning at the centre of her practice. Her award reflects that dedication to ongoing growth and to shaping a broader, more thoughtful conversation in our field.

Trainer of the Year

Voted on by the trainees themselves, this award recognises the trainers who shape the next generation of doctors.

This year, the Trainer of the Year Award went to Dr Joanna Romanowska. Her knowledge and uncompromising standards can feel tough at times, but they inspire trainees to raise their game. Dr Romanowska is respected and loved by our trainees. She represents what NZSCM stands for: setting the bar high and supporting others to reach it.

Why These Awards Matter

These awards are more than recognition. They celebrate the people who dedicate their time and energy to making cosmetic medicine in Aotearoa New Zealand safer, stronger, and better for patients.

On behalf of the Society, congratulations to Dr Elizabeth Byrnes and Dr Joanna Romanowska.

- Written by Jasmine Lambert, NZSCM Executive Assistant