Plastic Surgery News, January/February 2024

January/February 2024

TAKING OFF

As the Society’s partnership with MedTech Innvoator enters its third year, plastic surgeons discuss its immediate success and impact.

Page 19

Tributes pour in for two of the specialty’s giants Page 8

ASPS members lead rare jaw reconstruction in San Diego Page 7

Advocacy Summit returns to Washington, D.C. Page 12

PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES Plastic Surgery News ISSN 1043-4119

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Reference: 1. Data on file, Allergan Aesthetics, September 2023; Plastic Surgery Aesthetic Monthly Tracker.

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US-PRM-00180 12/23

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January/February 2024

Life doesn’t wait. Why should your patients?

76% of providers surveyed said they enrolled so they can offer patients a way to pay that helps them afford care.1

Patients may reconsider moving forward with a procedure once they learn the cost. In fact, 40% of cardholders say they would postpone care if they couldn’t use credit.2 But why should they have to wait?

When you tell patients about a way to pay with the CareCredit health, wellness and beauty credit card, it can help them say “yes” quickly and confidently.

Don’t let them delay. Join the CareCredit network and enroll at carecredit.com/psn or call 855-860-9001 and join other ASPS members in receiving exclusive reduced processing rates.

Already enrolled? Get your practice’s custom link at carecredit.com/mycustomlink.

1 2

CareCredit Provider Satisfaction, conducted by Chadwick Martin Bailey on behalf of CareCredit, June 2021.

CareCredit Path to Care, conducted by Chadwick Martin Bailey on behalf of CareCredit, October 2021.

January/February 2024

PSN2024CA ©2024 Synchrony Bank 3

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES

Plastic Surgery News

January/February 2024 Vol. 35 No. 1

07 Navy teams with UCSD on rare jaw reconstruction procedure

The mission of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is to support its members in their efforts to provide the highest quality patient care and maintain professional and ethical standards through education, research and advocacy of socioeconomic and other professional activities.

ASPS member Capt. Eamon O’Reilly, MD, discusses the surgery that gave a UCSD a new lower jaw.

08 Remembering craniofacial pioneer S. Anthony Wolfe, MD

ASPS PRESIDENT

Colleagues, mentees and friends pay tribute to Dr. Wolfe, who passed away in December at age 83.

Steven Williams, MD steven@trivalleysurgery.com

08 Tributes pour in for microsurgery legend Berish Strauch, MD

CHIEF MEDICAL EDITOR

B. Aviva Preminger, MD, MPH premingermd@gmail.com

Plastic surgeons reflect on the impact Dr. Strauch had on the specialty at large – both inside and outside the O.R.

ASSOCIATE MEDICAL EDITORS

Richard Baynosa, MD richard.baynosa@unlv.edu Paige Myers, MD paigelm@med.umich.edu

14 Plastic Surgery Resident: Reflections on Austin The residents who won travel scholarships to PSTM23 in Austin share their takeaways from the meeting.

ADVERTISING EDITOR

Anu Bajaj, MD anukbajaj.mac@mac.com

16 Thanks to those who supported The PSF in 2023

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

A rundown of those who supported The PSF in 2023, including an up-to-date list of Maliniac Fellows.

Michael Costelloe mcostelloe@plasticsurgery.org

18 Researching breast reduction hematoma

STAFF VP OF COMMUNICATIONS

Amy Yao, MD, discusses her grant-supported research on the use of tranexamic acid in reduction mammaplasty.

19 COVER: Clearing the path for innovation

Mike Stokes mstokes@plasticsurgery.org MANAGING EDITOR

Paul Snyder psnyder@plasticsurgery.org SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

Plastic surgeons discuss the immediate success of the Society’s partnership with MedTech Innovator.

Jim Leonardo jleonardo@plasticsurgery.org CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Joe Gryskiewicz, MD; Kristy Hamilton, MD CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mary Ellen Bogucki; Erin Finnigan; Elizabeth Gibbons; Patrick Hermes, MS; Ann Palzer COVER DESIGN

Paul Snyder

DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES

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Michelle Smith, (646) 674-6537 michelle.smith@wolterskluwer.com, Wolters Kluwer Health CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

Jeanne Embrey, jembrey@plasticsurgery.org Plastic Surgery News (ISSN 1043-4119) is published eight times per year: March, June, September, December single issues – and combined January/February, April/May, July/August and October/November issues – by ASPS. Phone: (847) 228-9900; Fax: (847) 228-9131

POSTMASTER, send address changes to:

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COLUMNS 06 President’s Message 06 Editor’s Message 09 Letters to the Editor 10 The Higher Ground 12 Legislative Update

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13 Social Media Focus 21 Calendar 25 Classifieds 30 The Last Stitch

ASPS Membership Department Plastic Surgery News 444 E. Algonquin Road Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Periodicals postage paid at Arlington Heights, IL, and at additional mailing offices. USPS# 508-890.

The views expressed in articles, editorials, letters and other publications published by PSN are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASPS. Acceptance of advertisements for PSN is at the sole discretion of ASPS. ASPS does not guarantee, warrant or endorse any product, program or service advertised.

2024 Subscription Rates:

Basic subscription rate: $90; for foreign subscriptions add $90 for first class service. The subscription price for PSN is included in annual membership dues. Letters, questions or comments should be addressed to: Editor, Plastic Surgery News, 444 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.

plasticsurgery.org

January/February 2024

March 1-3, 2024

A VIRTUAL MEETING

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EARLY BIRD RATES REGISTER TODAY

THROUGH JAN. 12

PlasticSurgery.org/SpringMeeting

January/February 2024

5

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Building upon nearly a century’s worth of progress

By Steven Williams, MD ASPS President

I

’d like to start by wishing each of you a happy new year and share my excitement for what we collectively can accomplish in the coming months. My first few weeks as ASPS president have put into sharp perspective not only the unwavering effort and commitment each of us put into our work every day, but also how far the Society’s reach truly stretches around the world.

As any of my predecessors can attest, the time as ASPS president is short and, as a result, many ideas and initiatives over the years have struggled to take root in the constraints of a one-year term. However, Society leadership has made a concerted effort in recent years – bolstered in part by the governance restructure – to foster continued focus on some of the most important measures we can take to strengthen membership and inclusivity, and I am committed to continuing our work toward these goals.

Technology advances

Some of the most impressive strides over the past few years have been made in technology, and we will continue our work to not only improve electronic resources for members on multiple fronts, but also to bolster efforts toward better integration of marketing and social media support for membership. As anyone who attended Plastic

Surgery The Meeting in Austin might know, our Technology, Innovation, Disruption and Entrepreneurship (TIDE) Committee is working tirelessly to bring new ideas and technology to the fore and (as discussed in this month’s cover story on page 19) support those members who have innovations that can help keep plastic surgery at the cutting edge of medical advancement in the coming years to make discernable changes in our members’ professional lives.

Strategic planning

Our Society has put a long-term strategic plan in place to ensure that member priorities and the specialty at large continue to be at the forefront of advocacy, innovation and support. ASPS has bold new initiatives supporting education, scope of practice and patient safety – all of which require a multiyear, multifaceted effort made possible by the strategic plan. These initiatives are built upon a solid foundation of member expertise and support, a tireless professional staff, financial stability and longstanding efforts that are truly beginning to provide dividends.

As a professional organization, ASPS has remained in ascension over the past few years as many others retreated. Our continued strength should be credited not only to the Society’s staff that works so hard on our behalf, but also to each of you. We recruit amazing people every day from around the world who provide so

much talent to our ranks and we must continue to be agile to provide a world-class educational platform that serves everybody.

Education and research

There are plenty of opportunities to streamline member education and research, as well. Between the news shared in the pages of PSN, the advancements reported in our world-class journals, PRS and PRS Global Open, podcasts and various information made available on the EdNet portal at plasticsurgery.org – not to mention the multiple emails we receive each day – I know it can be easy to miss noteworthy updates unless you’re monitoring multiple fronts while also maintaining a practice. We will continue to work to create a better synergy so that members aren’t in the dark when it comes to important advocacy updates, breaking news at the federal and state levels, important new research and even navigating an annual meeting that overflows with useful educational sessions for our members. TIDE Committee Chair Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, is also working with me to develop a podcast, “The President’s Corner,” that will feature a number of rotating guests and dovetail with the work being done by the committee to streamline the flow of information to each of you.

Improving diversity on all fronts

As the first Black president of ASPS, the progress made toward improved diversity and representation in our organization is not a matter

that I take lightly. Diversity is at my core and it’s a critical tool to advance our organization – and absolutely necessary for effective patient care. Too often, however, we think of the term “diversity” in unnecessarily limited parameters. Look at how the Women Plastic Surgeons Steering Committee has evolved over the past three decades. Frankly, the WPS Committee has provided our organization at large an incredible model for education, sponsorship, international support, advocacy and mentorship.

Diversity is not limited to race or gender, however. When you look across the breadth of ASPS membership, you see diversity in practice types, geographic location and training. The Society has put a concentrated effort in the last few years on its special interest groups – including the Military Plastic Surgeons Forum, the Plastic Surgeons of Chinese Descent, the PRIDE Forum – to provide improved avenues for networking, connection and support among plastic surgeons. This work will continue because there’s so much more to do – and its incumbent upon all of us not only to be partners in supporting our fellow members, but also highlighting transformational points of progress.

With more than 90 years of history and advancement under its belt, ASPS has demonstrated time and again not only an unwavering commitment to its members, but a forward-thinking ideology that advances plastic surgery and the medical field at large. As we continue to build upon that progress, I’m excited to work with all of you on breakthroughs that will keep us on the cutting edge of progress. PSN

EDITOR’S MESSAGE

Thoughts on job satisfaction and retention vs. recruitment

By Richard Baynosa, MD PSN Associate Medical Editor

A

s I look back on my first two years as PSN associate medical editor, I find myself reflecting on the tremendous growth that this opportunity afforded me by allowing me to share my thoughts with all of you.

It has been a privilege to work with our previous Chief Medical Editor Summer Hanson, MD, PhD, as well as our new Chief Medical Editor B. Aviva Preminger, MD, MPH – but it has been a truly unique honor to engage with readers and discover our work is generating interest and stimulating discussion.

At Plastic Surgery The Meeting in Austin, Texas, I was approached by ASPS past President Malcolm Roth, MD, and I was thrilled to find that he enjoyed my editorial on retirement and what to do after plastic surgery. In discussing this topic with Dr. Roth and several other plastic surgeons, I was fascinated by how varied the opinions were regarding what individuals hoped to do in retirement that would help them find happiness. Some of the hobbies mentioned were golf, travel, staying at home to cook and read (not to mention the many others featured on “The Last Stitch” page in every issue of PSN), the hobbies plastic surgeons have are just as varied as the different subspecialties that make up our profession. From longstanding disciplines such as pediatric/craniofacial, hand/upper extremity, reconstruction and aesthetics to newer established techniques such as microsurgery, peripheral nerve surgery and composite tissue allotransplantation – and not forgetting the burgeoning fields of gender-affirming surgery, lymphedema surgery and ro-

6

botics – our specialty has countless opportunities for plastic surgeons to find their niche.

It dawned on me that there are likely just as many opinions for plastic surgeons regarding what is important for job satisfaction. Some could be related to overall wellness (and have been covered in my previous editorials), but others might have to do with the type of practice we have chosen for ourselves. The choice to go into solo private practice, group practice, hospital-employed practice or academics is not only a personal decision but also one that can change drastically throughout any individual’s career for different reasons.

Plastic surgeons choose their initial career pathways for myriad reasons (e.g., money, job security, prestige, commitment to educating the next generation or giving back to the community). The monetary benefits and autonomy of a solo aesthetic practice are straightforward to some, while guaranteed income, health and retirement benefits – without the stress of managing a business – in an employed practice may be more favorable long-term for others. In my case, my wife and I started out in the same academic practice, which allowed us autonomy with our new family while slowly establishing our careers. Our salaries were lower than those of our private-practice colleagues, but we were in a state with a relatively low cost of living, had full healthcare benefits, maxed-out our retirement contributions, contributed to our children’s college funds and were able to attend school activities and performances in our children’s formative years when they still wanted and expected us to be around.

Many plastic surgeons begin their families during residency – or even earlier or later – but given our own personal timeline, our choice of

practice model was a no-brainer for us. I think that for many of us, the beginning of our careers as attending plastic surgeons is an exciting time that we have been studying and training decades for and it initially appears obvious to us what kind of practice we would like to have – even if finding such a practice is not always so easy.

Finding your answer

The question as to why plastic surgeons choose to change jobs or career paths altogether does not always have obvious answers. Sure, it might sometimes be a matter of moving to a practice or location that provides more earning potential, more resources and benefits for family and retirement or holds greater prestige and the opportunity for career advancement. In other cases, the answer could come down to family needs, a lack of feeling valued and/or appreciated in a position – or just a desire for a change of scenery. The old adage that “the grass always seems greener on the other side” is an adage for a reason. Some surgeons seem to change jobs every few years – and some employment opportunities emphasize this fact during the recruitment phase, listing all the reasons why this new opportunity is better than your current position.

Early in my career, I was enamored with the possibilities of changing practice types or moving to a different university for more opportunities, but the unexpected and tragic loss of my mentor and department chair to cancer required a reevaluation of my priorities. I found myself thrust into the role of program director and interim chief – and I was forced to look inside to decide what I truly wanted out of my job. The comfort and stability of being a junior attending at an academic institution were

quickly replaced by the stresses of taking over a residency program now on probation in addition to stabilizing a plastic surgery division that not only lost its founder and leader but soon thereafter lost another senior faculty member and its only hand surgeon in a tragic cycling accident. I decided to take the road less traveled and accept the challenge laid before me – and I have not looked back.

Although I’m still underpaid and lack many desired resources, I solidified the residency program, took the division to department status while improving salaries for faculty and improved the national visibility of UNLV Plastic Surgery. Yes, the grass still seems greener on the other side, but I’m making more money than I ever thought I would growing up and have enough saved to be able to retire early. I count myself lucky to be able to train numerous outstanding residents and work with tremendously talented partners. I can work hand-in-hand with the dean, practice plan and hospital administration to effect positive change, and I’m grateful to be able to travel the world giving lectures and serving on committees all while catching up with many brilliant and world-famous plastic surgeons whom I’m honored to call colleagues and dear friends.

All of which leads me back to the original question: What is important for job satisfaction? A recent Doximity editorial1 written by a mid-level assistant professor working in critical care medicine for a medical school at a university hospital underscored the difficult dichotomy with the true answer to the question. The article suggests several unorthodox benefits (free childcare, mandatory mental-health days, fiduciary financial advisors and professional development outside of healthcare) that might help job retention. These suggestions certainly Continued on page 24

January/February 2024

U.S. Navy and UCSD team-up on unique reconstruction

By Paul Snyder

T

he University of California San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center recently performed a first-of-its-kind jaw reconstruction procedure – with a little help from the United States Navy and a team that included ASPS member Capt. Eamon O’Reilly, MD. The procedure was for Felix Ung, a UCSD undergrad who, during his senior year, was accepted to New York University School of Law and diagnosed with a cyst that destroyed a large portion of his lower jaw. Doctors told Ung that he would need to have two-thirds of his lower jaw removed, including almost all of his lower teeth. As a result, he would need dental implant restoration using 3D-printed teeth.

Thankfully, the university’s partnership with the U.S. Navy provided a unique opportunity to have the procedure done locally. Dr. O’Reilly notes that the Department of Defense has partnered with civilian institutions for several years for skills maintenance purposes.

“It’s not uncommon for me to go to UCSD to do some work, and the idea behind it is that, in peacetime, our case volume isn’t quite as high, nor is case complexity,” he explains. “So we go to Level I trauma centers and work on cases and honing skills that we might not otherwise acquire at the Naval Hospital.”

Interestingly, however, this case reversed that flow and had UCSD surgeons leaning on military expertise. Along with his partners, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Dan Hammer, DDS, a Navy maxillofacial surgeon and microsurgeon, and ASPS member Yan Ortiz-Pomales, MD, Dr. O’Reilly has handled such cases at the Naval Medical Center San Diego over the past several years.

“We’ve actually built-up one of the higher case volumes on the West Coast,” he says. “In

U.S. Navy doctors team with surgeons at the University of California San Diego Medical Center on a 10-hour jaw reconstruction procedure for a UCSD student. contrast to other people doing, say, free fibula and mandible reconstruction, we 3D-print the teeth for a patient who needs a jaw resection for a benign or malignant disease, and the teeth are put in the patient the same day.”

Of course, that “same-day” procedure took 10 hours and multiple teams – and also required nearly a month’s worth of planning. The Navy team partnered with the otolaryngology department at UCSD to both remove a large portion of Ung’s jaw and transplant a portion of Ung’s leg bone for the reconstructed jaw, complete with dental implants and 3D-printed teeth. There are medical systems around the country that perform this kind of procedure, though Dr. O’Reilly notes it’s still a rare occur-

rence. Prior to this case, Naval Medical Center San Diego was the only site in San Diego County that had this capability – and patients who lack access to this kind of procedure typically require a years-long recovery to experience the same outcomes, often with many additional procedures along the way.

“Historically, people who have this procedure typically just get the infected part of the jaw removed and then have the jawbone remade,” he tells PSN. “The multidisciplinary nature of this procedure makes it complicated, and it can also be expensive for patients. Dental insurance often doesn’t cover a procedure like this, but for the Navy, with the nature of socialized medicine in the military, we cover all those things.”

Dr. O’Reilly notes that while Ung had the means to look into this multidisciplinary approach to his case, others don’t – but that is an option the military is trying to open for more patients through 3D-printing technology options and providing courses on this kind of procedure.

“We use virtual surgical planning and 3D design, so the artistry of the case is all done before the surgery itself begins,” he says. “Once the design is done, we have the steps for the 3D-printed parts, cutting guides for the fibula in the leg and guides for the removal and reconstruction of the mandible. It’s fairly straightforward and while the surgery itself is difficult, the planning process really is the key to success.”

Ung is now enjoying the fruits of that success. With restored function, he was discharged less than a week after the procedure and walked across the stage at commencement two weeks after surgery, with a smile stretching across his new jaw. He accepted a deferred enrollment to NYU School of Law, where he will now begin pursuing his dream of becoming an attorney.

The reconstructive procedure was the first of its kind done at UCSD, and while Dr. O’Reilly says he’s proud that the Naval surgeons helped bring a new skillset to the institution, it also fortified the future of those who serve.

“When we do these cases, we count the people it touches in the hospital – Navy corpsmen who have to one day be medics out in the field, nurses, our anesthesia team, our head-and-neck team, all the residents. These cases can affect 100 people because they’re so complex and require the help of so many different teams. It provides a giant impact on helping the Navy in terms of preparation and skills maintenance.

It’s just great to know you’re not only doing something unique but helping people for the future as well.” PSN

LoupeSHARE delivers first shipment of donated loupes to Tanzania

T

he PSF past President Andrea Pusic, MD, MHS, in November delivered the first shipment of loupes donated by ASPS members to Global Fellows of the Surgeons in Humanitarian Alliance for Reconstruction, Research and Education (SHARE) program in Tanzania.

The LoupeSHARE initiative is a collaborative effort between SHARE, Loupes Around the World and Designs for Vision to refurbish, resize and distribute donated loupes to surgeons in areas of need. To date, more than 25 ASPS members have donated their unused surgical loupes earmarked for SHARE Global Fellows.

“For residents and young surgeons in lowto middle-income countries, the cost and availability of loupes often makes them unattainable,” says Dr. Pusic, who is also co-director of the SHARE program. “Thanks to the gener-

osity of ASPS members and our collaborative efforts with these organizations, we’re getting surgical loupes into the hands of those who need them and allow them to improve patient care immediately.”

If you’d like to get involved and provide a pair of loupes to the cause, you can donate your loupes by sending them to SHARE c/o The Plastic Surgery Foundation, 444 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, Ill. 60005. PSN

Patients of Courage:

Triumph Over Adversity

Call for Nominations

DEADLINE: April 1, 2024 Recognize and share your courageous patient’s experience and help encourage others to do the same!

Patients of Courage is an annual awards program that honors patients whose lives were changed or saved through reconstructive plastic surgery who now give back to their communities through charitable efforts.

Help us inspire others and share their stories by nominating them to be a Patient of Courage.

(Left to right) Edwin Mrema, MD; The PSF past President Andrea Pusic, MD, MHS; Matungwa Muhamba, MD; and Phillip Raphael Makoye, MD, hold some of the surgical loupes donated through the LoupeSHARE program

by ASPS members in Tanzania in November.

January/February 2024

Learn more about Patients of Courage at Plasticsurgery.org/POC and nominate a patient who inspires you and others!

Plasticsurgery.org/POC

7

IN MEMORIAM

Tribute to a ‘founding father’ of craniofacial surgery

By Paul Snyder

P

lastic surgeons are paying tribute to plastic surgery legend S. Anthony Wolfe, MD, who passed away Dec. 26 at age 83. Dr. Wolfe was a disciple of Paul Tessier, MD, and a founding member of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery (ISCFS).

“Tony was definitely one of the founding fathers of craniofacial surgery,” says ASPS and ASMS past President Joseph Losee, MD. “He was a giant in the field of craniomaxillofacial surgery who contributed in a major way.

He was always kind, interested and willing to spend time with me. We will certainly miss his friendship and wisdom.”

Dr. Wolfe was born in Cleveland on July 30, 1940, to Thomas and Elisabeth Wolfe. He earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College in 1962 and completed medical school at Harvard University in 1965 and worked as a resident in general and plastic surgery in Boston and Miami, respectively.

“When I was a third-year medical student at Harvard, they took us to the Walter E. Fernald State School,” Dr. Wolfe recalled in a 2023 interview for ISCFS. “We had a didactic session where they had a number of children and adults who were brought up on stage – here’s someone with Apert syndrome, here’s somebody with Treacher Collins – we just had ‘show and tell.’ Many of those children had normal or above-normal IQs and there was no mention of any treatment. That offended my sensibilities.

It wasn’t until 1973 that I first heard Dr. Tessier speak in Montreal and discussed the treatment for these conditions that I said, ‘That’s what I’m interested in.’ ” At the University of Miami, Dr. Wolfe trained under D. Ralph Millard, MD, who later became his colleague. In 1974, he began a one-year post-residency fellowship in Paris with Dr. Tessier, the father of modern craniofacial surgery. That year, at a Chicago symposium for Dr. Tessier, Dr. Wolfe met Henry Kawamoto, MD, DDS, who had just finished training with Dr. Tessier. Dr. Kawamoto would remain

a trusted friend and confidante for the rest of Dr. Wolfe’s life.

“Tony and I were the best of friends,” Dr. Kawamoto tells PSN. “He had a great mind, a great set of hands and he was lots of fun to be with. I miss him dearly.”

James Stuzin, MD, past chairman of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and former co-editor of PRS, served as a craniofacial fellow with Dr. Wolfe, and he says his lifelong friend was one of the brightest physicians he ever knew.

“Tony was fluent in seven languages, translated several of Dr. Tessier’s manuscripts from French to English and – for fun – would complete The New York Times crossword puzzle in five minutes during a lunch break,” Dr. Stuzin says. “He was a pioneer in many aspects of craniofacial surgery – including the treatment of craniosynostosis, bone grafting for alveolar clefts and the treatment of post-traumatic orbital deformities. His undying devotion to plastic surgery allowed him to practice his art for over four decades as professor of plastic surgery at the University of Miami and Miami Children’s Hospital.”

Dr. Wolfe lived and worked in Miami until his retirement last year and was active in several medical organizations throughout his career.

After helping develop ISCFS in 1983, he began serving as chief of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Miami Children’s Hospital, where he trained numerous craniofacial fellows, plastic surgery residents and observers from around the world.

“Dr. Wolfe always advocated for patients and ensured only the highest academic standards in craniofacial surgery,” says ASMS First Vice President Anand Kumar, MD. Paul Manson, MD, past president of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, ASMS and the Association of Academic Chairmen in Plastic Surgery, calls Dr. Wolfe one of the foremost influences on his own career.

“I can’t overemphasize how he treated me as a colleague and a professional – especially when I was someone who was just learning,” Dr. Manson says. “Although I became good at

S. Anthony Wolfe, MD, 1940-2023 what I was doing, it wasn’t without his help.

His approaches and exposure to tough cases were always relevant, and he was incredibly generous with his time and willingness to help me out. I could call him in the middle of the night and would never hear a harsh word.”

Jordan Steinberg, MD, PhD, Dr. Wolfe’s successor at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (formerly Miami Children’s Hospital), echoes the sentiments of Dr. Wolfe’s generosity not only with his time and advice – but also his willingness to share pearls from his time with Dr. Tessier and delve into the history of craniofacial surgery. He notes Dr. Wolfe’s dedication to passing on the knowledge of his teachers – something he also published in his book, A Man from Héric: The Life and Work of Paul Tessier, MD, Father of Craniofacial Surgery.

“He gave me support and a sense of confidence that I could continue to run with all of these advancements and technologies and carry on the flame with a lot of his patients,” Dr. Steinberg says. “He had a very fatherly instinct and willingness to believe in me. He would take time to sit with me in the office and go over diagrams, patient photos, presentations or just some artifacts from his time with Tessier.

“A lot of people today have this misconception that craniofacial surgery is only about children or children with congenital problems, but he made very clear that Tessier took care of adults all the time,” Dr. Steinberg adds. “So did Dr. Wolfe. There are children who had the same problems that just grew up and still needed care – whether it was the result of trauma or something else. He practiced the full range of craniofacial surgery and wanted people to recognize that there truly was a broad focus to it.

We should use those principles to help in whatever way we can.”

ASMS President Reza Jarrahy, MD, says Dr. Wolfe’s impact on craniofacial surgery – and the field of plastic surgery at large – will endure for generations.

“He was one of those rare figures who impacts everyone who practices cleft, craniofacial and maxillofacial surgery,” Dr. Jarrahy says. “People use the term ‘larger than life’ so much that it kind of loses its meaning, but he really earned that moniker. I had the honor and privilege of visiting him as a fellow, and those three days in Miami had the weight of three years in terms of inspiration and being able to witness how he worked and treated patients. I carry so many lessons from that brief time into my practice today.

“As ASMS president, I know I truly stand on the shoulders of giants – and I feel a profound sense of duty to honor the legacy of people like Tony Wolfe,” he continues. “He was one of the giants who laid the groundwork for the work we do today and the progress we will continue to make.”

Dr. Wolfe is survived by his children, Andrew (Hie Jung Yoon), Julia (Eric Moore), Johanna (Thorsten Wagner), Olivia (Neel Shah), Erin, Thomas, Laura (Erika Parjus), Conor, Anthony and Max; eight grandchildren; as well as his sister, Ellen Brewerton; and his brother, Tim Wolfe. PSN This article includes biographical information from an obituary written by Erin Wolfe, MD; Johanna Wolfe; Andrew Wolfe, PhD; and Julia Wolfe.

Designing the puzzle: A legend and forefather of microsurgery division into a full-fledged surgical department, but Montefiore also became the first replantation center in the Northeast. He served as chair of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Montefiore/Albert Einstein from 1987 until 2007.

By Paul Snyder

T

he specialty lost a microsurgery pioneer on Dec. 24, when Berish Strauch, MD, passed away at age 90.

“Dr. Strauch was a legend in the field of microsurgery well before I trained with him in the Bronx,” says The PSF past President Bernard T. Lee, MD, MPH, MBA. “He had high expectations of his residents and always pushed us to be better. As a mentor, he influenced every important decision that I’ve made in my career and life.”

Dr. Strauch, was born Sept. 19, 1933, and grew up in the South Bronx with his mother, Anna, and his father, Herman, who was a tailor.

“He always knew he wanted to be a doctor from a young age,” says Dr. Strauch’s son, Robert Strauch, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Columbia University Medical Center, New York. “He came from an immigrant family in the South Bronx and not too many people became doctors, so I don’t know how much they believed him, but he did it. He sold encyclopedias over the summer in college to help support his education – and he actually became the regional sales champion.”

After graduating from Columbia Medical School, Dr. Strauch completed a general surgery residency at Montefiore Medical Center, then a hand surgery fellowship with William Littler, MD, at Roosevelt Hospital. However,

8

Forward thinking

Berish Strauch, MD, 1933-2023 his son notes that with tensions flaring in Vietnam in the 1960s, Dr. Strauch suspended his training to enlist in the U.S. Army. He served as a captain in Fort Bragg, N.C., and Sagamihara, Japan. After completing his service, Dr. Strauch took his family to Palo Alto, Calif., for further plastic surgery training under the mentorship of Robert Chase, MD, at Stanford University.

It was during this time that he began his pioneering work in microsurgery.

Returning to New York, he joined the Division of Plastic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, then run by Michael Lewin, MD. Dr. Strauch became division chief in 1978, and during his leadership, he not only turned the

Among his accomplishments, Dr. Strauch pioneered the toe-to-thumb transplantation technique and spearheaded research and advancements in microsurgery and peripheral nerve surgery. He founded the Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery in 1982 and served as its editor-in-chief for 25 years. He published numerous books and articles, including The Encyclopedia of Flaps (“That early work selling encyclopedias stuck with him,” notes his son), The Atlas of Microvascular Surgery, The Atlas of Hand Anatomy and Clinical Implications and The Encyclopedia of Body Sculpting After Massive Weight Loss.

Dr. Strauch patented the widely used “Strauch Clamp” to help surgically restore male fertility post-vasectomy, and he conducted research in the field of pulsed electromagnetic fields to improve healing and lessen postoperative pain.

“Even later in his career, he was still so enthusiastic about plastic surgery, microsurgery and training the next generations of microsur-

geons,” notes Christine Rohde, MD, MPH, chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Columbia University Medical Center, New York, who trained under Dr. Strauch. “He was a tremendous advocate for his residents.

He always had our best interests at heart, and that meant a lot. He was so proud of the people that he trained and, as a result, we all were very familiar with people who he trained over the years, and their accomplishments.”

Dr. Rohde adds Dr. Strauch also worked tirelessly to improve diversity in plastic surgery, hiring people from different backgrounds and advocating for more women in the specialty.

Elizabeth Hall-Findlay, MD, the first female resident in Dr. Strauch’s program who trained from 1980-82, says that as a Canadian female who hadn’t yet completed full general surgery training, she knows she wasn’t a typical candidate for his program.

“I owe him an awful lot,” Dr. Hall-Findlay says. “He took a chance on me – and I had a wonderful experience in that program. Microsurgery was still new when I was training, but what truly stayed with me was his sense of curiosity. That’s what makes plastic surgery so much fun – the orthopedic surgeons may get to put the puzzle together, but plastic surgeons get to design the puzzle. He taught us all to maintain that curiosity.”

Continued on page 24

January/February 2024

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Continuing the discussion on treatment and care of transgender patients PSN welcomes letters to the editor from readers who would like to share comments, questions or critiques on our coverage or issues affecting the Society or specialty at large. Please contact PSN Managing Editor Paul Snyder at psnyder@plasticsurgery.org. Letters may be edited for space and clarity, and any submissions printed in PSN are done so only with the permission of the author.

Editor’s Note: An unedited version of the below letter and Dr. Constantian’s editorial from the Oct/Nov issue of PSN – including a complete list of references – can be found online at plasticsurgery.org/letterstotheeditor.

T

he Oct/Nov issue of PSN carried an editorial from Mark Constantian, MD, (“Are plastic surgeons saving the lives of our transgender patients?”) and while we want to thank Dr. Constantian for taking the time to provide an opportunity to discuss the care of transgender and gender-diverse patients, there is still much work to be done to increase awareness of the evidence supporting the outcomes associated with gender-affirming care.

Dr. Constantian correctly stated that transgender individuals face higher rates of suicidality and co-existent psychiatric comorbidities compared to cisgender individuals and that more research is necessary to investigate this disparity – as well as the impacts of gender-affirming surgery on these individuals.

However, current literature demonstrates that gender-affirming care improves the quality of life for transgender individuals, and we believe the data cited in the editorial misconstrues this understanding.

In his editorial, Dr. Constantian cited a de-

transition rate of 13.1 percent according to the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey and a hormone therapy cessation rate of 35 percent according to the 43-year Dutch study. When looking at these studies, we were unable to corroborate this data. According to the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, only 8 percent of respondents detransitioned at some point, and the majority (62 percent) only did so temporarily.

Additionally, the 43-year Dutch study made no mention of hormone cessation rates.

The study did demonstrate low rates of regret amongst transgender patients who underwent gonadectomy and cites other studies where incidence of regret is shown to be low in the transgender population. It should be clarified that regret and detransitioning are not equivocal to inappropriate patient selection or suboptimal efficacy of care. Detransitioning occurs from a multitude of factors and is not always indicative of a desire to align a patient’s current gender with the assigned gender at birth.

Patient regret can occur from medical regret (medical or surgical complications facilitating an undesirable outcome), social regret (social pressures preventing a successful transition) or true regret (proceeding with gender transitioning) per WPATH Standards of Care – and the 2015 U.S. Transgender Surgery demonstrated many reasons for detransitioning owing to social regret rather than true regret. A summary in the July issue of PRS noted the incidence of true regret is predicted to be between 0.2-3 percent. Given this rate, we would not expect a significant unaccounted-for patient population seeking detransitioning services. Gender-affirming care remains a subspecialty with a select provider list and most patients are limited to their primary surgeons even in the face

of complications or suboptimal outcomes. The audience should think critically when it is implied that patients are freely flipflopping their gender identity. The adversity, prejudice and discrimination that patients face daily to minimize their dysphoria and live their gender identity on its own is indicative of the challenges of gender incongruence.

Understanding how social determinants of health – including adverse childhood events (ACEs) – affect gender diverse patients is of paramount importance when caring for this population. However, speculative associations between childhood trauma and gender incongruence are unsubstantiated. Gender incongruence has been supported and validated as its own entity based on a vast body of scientific evidence. Plastic surgeons should focus on understanding the unique experiences and goals of gender diverse patients, as they would for cisgender patients. By listening, understanding patients’ goals and documenting outcomes, we can better support the provision of gender-affirming care.

Long-term effects

There are studies that demonstrate transgender individuals – including those who have undergone gender-affirming surgery – experience higher rates of suicidality and mortality than the general population. However, these studies have not determined that gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy are a causation of increased suicidality. In fact, gender-affirming care has been shown repeatedly to improve the lives of gender diverse patients. Systematic reviews published in the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health and the International Journal

of Transgender Health supported higher quality of life, satisfaction and reduced negative mental health symptoms. Similarly, patient-reported outcomes studies published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery and JAMA Surgery concluded that patients confirmed high satisfaction and low decisional regret with surgical treatments.

Further investigation into the long-term effects of gender-affirming care is necessary – especially given the higher prevalence of suicidality and psychiatric comorbidities in this population.

The GENDER-Q, currently in development, will provide an additional validated and standardized measurement tool for patient-reported outcome research. We also agree that physicians must remain vigilant and critical of their own practices, including patient selection. However, misrepresenting the value of gender-affirming care – particularly when current patient-reported outcomes and empirical research support it – is short-sighted and negligent.

Historically, civic engagement has not been emphasized in surgical training. Nevertheless, patients’ non-clinical circumstances contribute to surgical outcomes. Gender-affirming care is highly political and requires persistent advocacy from patients and physicians. That means presenting current evidence in an accurate and unbiased manner. Editors should remain vigilant when publishing explorations on the provisions of gender-affirming care, as misinformation can harm public opinion towards the gender-diverse population.

– Peter Mankowski, MD; Caleb Haley, MD; Imani Elliott, BS; Jessica Hsu, MD, PhD; and William Kuzon, MD, PhD Ann Arbor, Mich. PSN

Author response

M

– Mark Constantian, MD Hollis, N.H. PSN

January/February 2024

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ost readers do not know that a prior version of my editorial on transgender care that was published in the Oct/Nov issue of PSN had been submitted to one of our journals with 57 supporting references. The response was unique in my 53-year publishing experience: rejection by all four reviewers. One believed that the editorial was written from a position of immense privilege without a lived trans experience. Does the author believe, asked another, that regret in transgender patients is worse than regret in cisgender patients after cosmetic surgery? No one refuted my citations. The current piece, with 68 references, found its way to members of the ASPS Board of Directors and then to PSN. Our current catechism states that we can distinguish those who will be happy postoperatively from the less than 1 percent of patients who might later express “regret,” however defined; and that patients’ lives are improved by what we do. However, there is conflicting, documented evidence for each of those beliefs. Emotional disinformation does not come with citations. It is our job as surgeons to raise questions.

It is gratifying that studies documenting postoperative satisfaction with longer than 6-12 months’ follow-up are appearing, improved from recent years. Still, studies of detransition patients indicate that mean time to detransitioning is four years. In the 43-year Dutch study, follow-up was 65 percent because 35 percent ceased hormonal treatment. Whether the detransition rate is 13 percent or 35 percent, it is not less than 1 percent. Optimistic outcomes at 12 to 36 months may not hold. We must not anticipate the data.

What do we do with the 30-year follow-up from Sweden or the 18.5-year follow-up from Amsterdam that document worse – not better – health, despite expert surgery? Why has the gender dominance of our candidates changed? Shouldn’t we know?

The prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in transgender individuals is neither speculative nor unsubstantiated. Refer to papers by Bandini, Fisher, Ricca, et. al.; Schnarrs, Stone, Salcido, et. al.; and Thoma, Rezeppa, Choukas-Bradley, et. al.

ACEs are germane to transgender patients because they are common (63 percent in general medical populations, by CDC statistics), but and even higher in plastic surgery patients, as we reported in 2021. ACEs affect adult health in a dose-response fashion and, relevant to this discussion, correlate with body shame, eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, depression, addictions and suicide. The literature is voluminous: there are 813 citations in my last textbook alone. If ACEs as independent variables account for any of the unhappiness or health problems that these patients face, despite our surgery, we must know, or we cannot help them.

Our catechism is probably insufficiently complex. Honest questions are not apostasy – they spur surgical certainty. As the authors above note, we must generate the data that will inform our prejudices so that these patients – who have been some of my best – get the care that we owe them and that they expect from us. We need more discussion, not less.

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THE HIGHER GROUND

I’m accused of being non-compliant with the ADA – what do I do?

By Joe Gryskiewicz, MD

“The Higher Ground” columnist Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, is a former chair of the ASPS Ethics Committee, a past member of the ASPS Judicial Council, and he has been in practice for more than 30 years. Readers are encouraged to submit queries to him at drjoe@tcplasticsurgery.com.

Names will be withheld, and the views expressed in this column are those of the author and should not be considered legal advice.

Q: I received the below letter in the

mail today. My IT guy confirms I do not have the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance plugin that I needed and he is doing it now. That said, I don’t even do septoplasties! Any suggestions on this one? Should I ignore it? Pay up?

Pay up and ask this person to sign a release – and, if so, how would I do that? Am I overthinking this?

To Whom it May Concern: I am writing in regards to your website and its lack of ADA compliance. Your website is in violation of Section 508 Standards & W3C WCAG 2.1. Under federal law, your website must comply with the new requirements of the ADA and WCAG 2.1 AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).

I am color blind and was unable to use your website to its full capacity. Your website has insufficient color contrast between text and background. On Oct. 15, 2023, I attempted to use your website but your website’s color contrast limitations prevented me from being able to use your business website properly. Your non-compliant website prevented me from being able to get the proper cosmetic procedure I needed to fix my deviated septum that has caused me many breathing and health issues. Your website not being compliant has prevented me from receiving proper healthcare.

I had a consultation with a lawyer about this matter for which I was charged $1,190 for a two-hour consultation. I am requesting that I be reimbursed for my legal fees by you and your business entity as I do not want to pursue this any further. If I am reimbursed for my legal fees and you make your website compliant in the next 180 days, then I will stop my pursuit. If not, then I will continue this pursuit. ADA compliance widgets and plugins are not a substitute for a fully compliant website. I am in contact with another law firm that specializes in website compliance matters and we will sue you.

This is a very easy case to prove and the amount of money you will lose will be substantial. $10,000+ in plaintiff law firm fees, $5,000+ in your defense attorney fees and $20,000+ for accessibility audit and remediation.

Please send, made payable to me, certified funds in the amount of $1,190, to the address listed herein within seven (7) days of you receiving this correspondence. In exchange I will release any and all claims related to this matter and forego any future reports, complaints or grievances to state or federal government agencies or authorities not yet made.

If you do not choose to settle, I can assure you that I will do my part to help enforce the law as Congress intended and I will sue you for violoating the law. Additionally, I may decide to seek class-action certification in a suit against you, as I am certain that I am not the only one who has suffered because of your business’s negligence and failure to adhere to ADA website compliance laws.

A: Admittedly, this is more of a legal question than an ethical one. The first question that crossed my mind was: Have you fired you webmaster? Several of these kinds of complaints were launched against ASPS members – and doctors across various specialities – a few years ago. The harsh truth is that your website should be compliant. If it is not, be sure you are taking steps to become compliant as soon as possible.

Ultimately, I would implore you to consult your own attorney about your own circumstances, risks and options for next steps. Even if this smells fishy – never ignore this kind of letter.

As to the letter and the writer’s demands, I actually received the same letter you received

– word-for-word. However, I had previously taken steps to ensure my website is compliant.

If you and I received the same letter, I’d wager that other plastic surgeons have received it as well. Yes, that makes me wonder whether a patient is really seeking septoplasty from doctors who don’t perform the procedure – much less from doctors in widely disparate parts of the country. Nevertheless, noting that your website isn’t (or at least wasn’t) in compliance when you reached out to me could be used against you. We received the same letter, but our own situations are different – and I have to believe that other plastic surgeons who receive this letter may have circumstances that are different from either of ours, so any member who receives this letter should seek legal counsel on their situation, risks and options.

As an aside, I was once sued by a firm that copyrighted a photograph of a model, even though that model gave me permission to use her pictures. I had my trademark attorney weigh-in, and he said a lot of these things usually settle out of court for up to $150,000. I got off for $4,000. Had I ignored the request or not “overthought” it and sought counsel, I could have been responsible for much more. Bottom line: Get your websites up-to-date with ADA compliance and have counsel ready to weighin should this letter arrive in your mailbox.

As with any procedure we perform, being prepared is key. PSN

New Practice Reference tools launched for ASPS members

By ASPS Staff

T

he ASPS Healthcare Delivery Committee recently launched two Practice Reference tools after receiving approval by the ASPS/ PSF Board of Directors during its December 2023 meeting. Practice References (formerly Guiding Principles) provide guidance in emerging areas of practice or areas where there might be conflict or confusion.

When interpreting and applying Practice Reference principles within an individual practice, physicians should use their personal and professional judgment and consider how they may best

abide by the proposed principles in the context of their state’s statutes and regulations. Practice Reference principles should not be considered as a rule and are not meant to serve as the standard of medical care.

Practice Reference: Appropriate Business and Clinical Management of Medical Spas Medical spas offer a variety of cosmetic treatments, including medical procedures. These procedures can pose certain safety risks for patients, so the delivery of this care should involve proper physician oversight and supervision.

Although this practice tool does not explic-

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10

itly address liability issues or the supervision requirements of applicable law, the suggested approaches are meant to enhance patient safety which may, in turn, support risk management.

Topics covered include: • Role, qualifications and responsibilities of the medical director • Role, qualifications and responsibilities of the supervising or delegating physician • Considerations for state policymakers, including recommendations regarding definitions of “surgery,” licensing requirements, truth-in-advertising requirements,

as well as reporting and investigation requirements for significant complications and deaths.

Medical Spa Task Force members ASPS immediate-past President Gregory Greco, DO; ASPS/PSF Vice President of Health Policy and Advocacy Lynn Damitz, MD; and Warren Ellsworth IV, MD, steered the creation of this new reference document.

Practice Reference: Preventing Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Plastic Surgery Patients ASPS in 2011 published Pathways to Preventing Adverse Events in Ambulatory Surgery, a comprehensive patient-safety resource for plastic surgery with a section on venous thromboembolism (VTE), which occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) or when a clot passes within the veins to the lungs (pulmonary embolus, or PE).

An ASPS task force in 2022 reviewed evidence on VTE that has emerged since 2011 and subsequently identified a need to update guidance for plastic surgeons on VTE prevention among hospitalized patients and to highlight recent research.

This updated document provides: • Approaches to risk modification, including considerations for risk assessment, compression devices and chemoprophylaxis • Guidance for recording and communicating VTE risk • A discussion of emerging evidence and directions for future research • Appendices outlining existing VTE guidance and comparing selected VTE guideline recommendations.

VTE Task Force members Josef Hadeed, MD; Heather Faulkner, MD; and Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS; provided dedicated oversight to this evidence-based update.

Both documents referenced above can be accessed via plasticsurgery.org/for-medicalprofessionals/health-policy/practice-references. PSN January/February 2024

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March 15-16, 2024 The ASPS Plastic Surgery Coding Workshop provides attendees with the most up-to-date coding information and specialty-specific instruction. This comprehensive learning program is a live, online interactive meeting that allows new coding professionals and those with more experience to learn accurate coding and implementation strategies from experts in the field.

This is the only ASPS Coding Workshop in 2024 and it will not be recorded. Don’t miss out! Make plans to join us virtually on March 15-16!

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January/February 2024

11

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

ASPS Advocacy Summit returns to fight on crucial issues with the need to prevent the cuts. With two major deadlines related to funding the government coming in January, it is expected that Congress will include a package of healthcare bills along with federal appropriations and that the Medicare cut will be at least partially averted as a part of that package.

By David Hill, MD, & Patrick Hermes, MS

F

ifty-nine plastic surgeons took to Capitol Hill in December at a pivotal moment during the 2023 ASPS Advocacy Summit – an event aligned with a looming deadline to prevent cuts to Medicare reimbursement to physicians. The summit brought ASPS members from 17 states and various backgrounds to Washington to tackle reimbursement and other prominent issues impacting the specialty, at a point when national lawmakers were in search of expert opinions on those priority issues.

The 2023 Summit was the fourth time that ASPS hosted a larger advocacy meeting involving visits with members of Congress while providing a full day of education with guest speakers on political issues that matter most to plastic surgeons. This was the first Advocacy Summit since 2019, as the pandemic – and post-pandemic restrictions on access to Capitol Hill offices –prevented such events in the intervening years.

The Advocacy Summit always aims to bring hot topics to the forefront. This year exemplified that by focusing on policy priorities that matter most to plastic surgeons and bringing decision-makers from Capitol Hill to speak directly to attendees. Six members of Congress came to speak at the Summit, including five physicians (Sen. Roger Marshall, an OBGYN from Kansas; Rep. Yadira Caraveo, a pediatrician from Colorado; Rep. Andy Harris, an anesthesiologist from Maryland; Rep. Larry Bucshon, a cardiothoracic surgeon from Indiana; Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an ophthalmologist from Iowa; and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer from Oregon). Each of the speakers addressed looming cuts to Medicare physician reimbursement.

On the final day of the Summit, ASPS

Modernizing WHCRA

ASPS past presidents Lynn Jeffers, MD, MBA, and Gregory Greco, DO, speak with Sen. Roger Marshall, MD (R-Kan.), during the Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. members conducted 74 meetings with congressional offices, zeroing-in on the Medicare cuts and three of the Society’s other top concerns: ensuring better coverage for breast reconstruction; mandated insurance coverage for the surgical repair of congenital anomalies; and reform of prior authorization in Medicare Advantage.

Fair physician reimbursement

One of the primary reasons ASPS members travelled to Washington, D.C., in December was the need to both prevent imminent cuts to Medicare reimbursement to physicians and enact reforms to the Medicare payment system to prevent additional future cuts.

Although Medicare reimbursements to en-

Advocacy in the states A quick look at some of the work ASPS did in November and December to advocate on behalf of the specialty at the state level.

tities such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and Medicare Advantage plans have guaranteed annual inflation updates, physicians only receive payment increases when Congress passes a law to that effect. This rarely happens, and the lack of an annual inflationary update – combined with the impact of outdated budget neutrality thresholds that often trigger cuts to reimbursement – present serious challenges for physicians. In fact, Medicare physician pay has actually declined by 26 percent relative to inflation since 2001.

The solution involves holding physicians harmless from the impending cut, establishing an annual inflationary update and updating the budget-neutrality threshold. ASPS members focused their meetings on Capitol Hill on accomplishing these changes through two pieces of legislation. The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act is designed to ensure equitable annual inflationary updates to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and modernize budget neutrality requirements so that automatic reductions in the conversion factor are less common.

The second bill, the Preserving Seniors’ Access to Physicians Act of 2023, would avert the 3.4 percent Medicare cut that, at the time of the Summit, was scheduled for Jan. 1.

Unfortunately, Congress recessed for the year before addressing the cuts, which took effect on Jan. 1. Despite that, plastic surgeons who conducted Summit Hill meetings reported widespread agreement among lawmakers

P

The challenges that have arisen since commercial health insurers began devaluing microsurgical breast reconstruction are well documented, beginning in the wake of the 2019 Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decision to phase-out the microsurgical breast reconstruction Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes. Even after CMS reversed its decision in August 2023 as a result of advocacy by ASPS, breast microsurgeons and patient groups, payers continue to move to lower-paying codes for the procedure. ASPS has also received widespread reports from members of increasing difficulty in contracting for all types of breast reconstruction, and that many payers use prior authorization, pre-payment review and post-payment clawbacks to reduce the amount of breast reconstruction they pay for.

ASPS initiated a comprehensive effort to engage with the private insurance industry and secure fair reimbursement for microsurgical breast reconstruction, emphasizing the procedure’s cost-effectiveness and positive outcomes.

In conjunction with that effort, the Society also developed legislation to update and modernize the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA) to ensure that all post-mastectomy treatment approaches – including microsurgical reconstruction, implant-based reconstruction and flat closures – are covered and available within insurance networks.

Advocacy Summit attendees pitched this ASPS-developed legislation in their meetings with congressional offices, and the concept received positive reception in the vast majority of the meetings. The Society is now working with a leading member of Congress to introduce the WHCRA modernization bill.

Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) has long been a top priority for ASPS, and Society members used the Advocacy Summit to Continued on page 24

Thank you, PlastyPAC contributors

lastyPAC, the bipartisan political action committee of ASPS, works to educate and influence Congress on issues that directly affect plastic surgery. As the largest voice for reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, PlastyPAC is grateful for the support of the following people whose contributions during November and December help play a key part in the specialty’s success on Capitol Hill.

• During the Society’s Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., past and present leaders and members of local, state and regional plastic surgery societies gathered for a Physician Leaders Forum. Attendees discussed their experiences, lessons learned and future plans relating to effective advocacy methods, comprehensive coverage for breast reconstruction options, battling non-physician scope expansions and strengthening communication with members.

• ASPS and the Arizona Society of Plastic Surgeons submitted a letter in opposition to a regulatory proposal to authorize estheticians to perform procedures utilizing lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) devices after receiving only a minor amount of training.

The proposed rule would only require an introductory-level course to the aesthetic school curriculum, which can never supplement the medical training obtained by physicians, nurses and physician assistants.

• The Society submitted written testimony alongside the Washington Society of Plastic Surgeons, calling on the State Department of Health to uphold the high level of patient care and allow the practice of medicine only by healthcare providers who meet appropriate education, training and professional standards.

12

California Jack Bruner, MD

Maryland Terri Hill, MD

Connecticut Henry Hsia, MD

Massachusetts Theodore Calianos II, MDI

Delaware Sean Bidic, MDI

Michigan Steven Haase, MDu

Florida Alicia Billington, MDI

Missouri Justin Sacks, MD, MBAI

Georgia Heather Faulkner, MD, MPH

New Jersey Adam Hamawy, MDI Larry Weinstein, MDI

Illinois Samantha Lund, MDn Nicole Sommer, MDI

I

New York Richard Agag, MDH Alan Matarasso, MDI Daniel Ruter, MDn Nevada Richard Baynosa, MDI North Carolina Lynn Damitz, MDH Henry Wilson, MDH

Ohio Sean Li, MDs Sonu Jain, MD R. Michael Johnson, MDI Cristiane Ueno, MDu Texas Kristy Hamilton, MDI Utah Christopher Shale, MD Virginia Howie Levinson, MDI Anthony Nye, MD

J Presidential Circle: $5,000 (max) L Congressional Circle: $3,500+ H Premier Circle: $2,000+ Chairman’s Club: $1,000+ u Patron: $500+ s Young Plastic Surgeons: $200+ n Residents: $25+

January/February 2024

SOCIAL MEDIA FOCUS

Elevating your practice through social media: A guide to posting styles

I

n today’s digital age, social medial platforms are a crucial avenue for plastic surgeons to connect with patients, share expertise, promote accurate information and grow our practices. Among these platforms, Instagram and TikTok reign supreme, providing a visual canvas to showcase transformational surgery and educate the public about various procedures.

To effectively harness the power of Instagram and other platforms, plastic surgeons first must understand and utilize different kinds of content that resonate with their audience. Here are seven styles of posting to consider incorporating into your online presence: 1. Before-and-afters Before-and-after photos (or videos) are – or should be – the cornerstone of any surgeon’s Instagram strategy. These powerful visuals provide a compelling transformation narrative and capture the viewer’s attention immediately. The principle can be applied to both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, and videos demonstrating functional improvement apply as well. It’s imperative to uphold ethical standards – always obtain patient consent, maintain anonymity and avoid sensationalism. In the captions, provide insight into the procedures performed, recovery processes and patient testimonials. By combining stunning visuals with informative captions, you can educate your audience while also fortifying trust in your surgical skills.

asking your followers to tag friends who might find your posts helpful or informative.

5. A personal touch Sharing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of your personal life, your practice team or O.R. staff humanizes you to followers and fosters a personal connection with your audience. Instagram stories are an excellent format for this type of content, which disappears in 24 hours and has a more informal style. You can show your team

preparing for surgery, introduce your staff or provide a sneak peek into daily routines. Your patients can connect with you based on, say, a shared love of fitness or travel on top of your surgical abilities. These stories give followers an intimate look at the inner workings of your practice and help build trust and familiarity.

6. Patient testimonials Highlighting patient testimonials and success stories can be incredibly impactful. These

ASSI

4. Shareable content Shareable content can include infographics, inspirational quotes or patient testimonials. The key is to create content that resonates with your audience to the point that they wish to share it on their own account. Encourage interaction by January/February 2024

7. Interactive Q&A sessions Hosting live Q&A sessions or interactive “ask Continued on page 24

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3. Carousels Carousels on Instagram gained popularity as an effective way to break down complex topics into easily digestible chunks. These multi-slide posts take your audience on a structured journey, providing detailed insights into various aspects of plastic surgery. You can create carousels that walk viewers through the entire process of a particular procedure, from the initial consultation to post-op recovery. Make sure the first slide captures the audience’s interest – pose a question or make an (appropriately) controversial statement that may surprise your audience.

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posts can include written testimonials, video interviews with satisfied patients or even before-and-after collages with accompanying stories. By sharing authentic accounts of your patients’ experiences, you not only showcase your skills but also provide potential patients with relatable stories they can connect with on a personal level.

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©2023 ASSI®

By Kristy Hamilton, MD

13

Resident Travel Scholars reflect on their experiences in Austin Compiled by Elizabeth Gibbons

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esidency teaches us to be excellent surgeons with technical prowess, but the critical interpersonal skills necessary for early career success upon graduation are often ignored. Surgeons, by default, must be leaders. With or without formal leadership roles, attending surgeons must manage diverse multidisciplinary teams in the O.R., clinic and institutions.

An incredible impact

Attending PSTM23 renewed the passion that I feel for my career. I had the opportunity to build relationships with colleagues from all over the world and learn more about important topics in our field. I scheduled many sessions to try to learn as much as possible. The session on The PSF’s Surgeons in Humanitarian Alliance for Reconstruction, Research and Education (SHARE) program particularly caught my attention – in fact, during my medical training, I spent a month in Ghana as a medical volunteer in an orphanage, trying to fulfil my need to help others. The PSF past President Andrea Pusic, MD, MHS, was an inspiring and incredible mentor for me during PSTM and I aspire to become part of SHARE in the future. I would actually like to promote a way to bring more Italian residents and plastic surgeons to this initiative.

I attended several interesting sessions, especially on breast reconstruction and BIA-ALCL, which are my main areas of interest. I had the pleasure to attend PSTM22 in Boston last year and attending this year’s meeting gave me the chance to strengthen the connections with ASPS. I think PSTM is the most important event in our specialty in the world and I look forward to attending every year.

I was able to participate this year in the WPS, YPS and Leadership Development committee meetings, which allowed me to focus on some of the fundamental principles and skills needed to become a successful leader in our field. It also helped me appreciate projects that could be developed as a woman and international member to increase accessibility, as well as diversity of membership and leadership. As a young plastic surgeon with a great desire to grow, build and improve, these opportunities can be precious in the development of projects and initiatives to carry forward.

Overall, I enjoyed four days filled with learning and strengthening important relationships, all of which made me grow exponentially in such a brief time. Receiving this scholarship allowed me to be recognized in Italy as an example and mentor for my fellow residents.

The award gave me the strength to believe even more in my dreams, to be determined to achieve my goals and to work toward a closer relationship with ASPS. I think this had an incredible impact on my career at the national and international levels, and I will commit to pay this mindset forward as an example for my younger colleagues, strengthening the connection between SICPRE and ASPS. – Alessandra Ceccaroni, MD PGY-2 University of Salerno Italy

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Learning from the giants

It was a huge privilege to be able to attend PSTM23, meet experts in the field, learn of the latest advances in our specialty and gain exposure to a variety of pathways in the field. It was also enlightening to audit meetings of committees that make impactful decisions about the content, work and planning that goes into making an event of this magnitude happen. I was also impressed that so many international attendees, including other resident scholars, were present – a testament to the global practice of medicine and the exciting idea that we can all learn from each other’s culture and practices.

There were so many amazing lectures and panels, and I was able to hear from giants in the field and learn from their expertise. One of my favorite moments was getting to see my research mentor from medical school, James Zins, MD, at one of the talks, and catching up about what both of us were doing in our careers. I think the biggest challenge of a meeting this size is knowing when and how to spend your time, as the meeting is designed to showcase all aspects of plastic surgery and offer events that appeal to everyone’s areas of interest. Luckily, PSTM on-demand content is available online, so if something was missed there may be a chance to view it at a later date.

One of my “wow” moments came during the WPS Annual Women’s Luncheon. Residents and medical students from our home institution, the University of Texas Medical Branch, were all sitting together at a table, and the panel held a section for past female ASPS presidents and other plastic surgery organizations in attendance at the meeting. It was impressive enough to realize that at least 15 past presidents and leaders were present in the same room, but the first name called was the chair of our Division of Plastic Surgery at UTMB, The PSF past President Linda Phillips, MD. To hear the impact she had not only on women in plastic surgery but really on the specialty as a whole made me feel so honored to be learning from her as a mentor during my residency. The luncheon also featured a talk with three different female plastic surgery leaders from different countries to better understand the shared experience of being a woman in leadership – and discussing the nuances that may be divergent in different healthcare systems was very enlightening with regard to my future career. As a woman in plastic surgery, I hope to stay involved and provide support, mentorship and sponsorship for the next generation of women plastic surgeons – just as Dr. Phillips has for me and the other trainees at our institution.

– Andi Cummins, MD PGY-3 University of Texas Medical Branch Dallas

Immense significance

My experience at PSTM23 underscored the immense influence and significance of ASPS/ PSF members, igniting my aspiration to eventually contribute to one of these influential roles. It also sparked my interest in attaining a position where I can actively participate in shaping complex social and political matters.

I audited the Social Media Subcommittee,

ASPS/PSF Board of Directors Meeting and WPS Steering Committee Meeting, learning the significance of social media is growing – albeit with greater controversy. It’s essential for us to remain vigilant in monitoring the use of social media and adapt swiftly to changes that may require alterations in current regulations. Furthermore, I found it interesting to learn about the collaboration between plastic surgery and other specialties aimed at addressing the ongoing political issues in the United States.

My most significant accomplishments included presenting two meaningful abstracts from my research year and providing support for my colleagues who presented other abstracts that I contributed to. I also successfully expanded my professional network by establishing valuable relationships with faculty members and fellow residents in attendance. My “wow” moment, however, occurred when I witnessed the profound influence that individuals affiliated with ASPS/PSF exert – not only within the global plastic surgery community but also beyond the realm of medicine (evidenced by actor Mario Lopez hosting the PSTM23 Opening Ceremonies). This experience further fueled my career aspirations, inspiring me to one day hold a position in societal leadership. Another standout moment was my connection with my paired scholar mentor, who provided insightful advice and insight while establishing herself as a valuable resource for addressing future questions and providing guidance throughout my residency.

This scholarship provided me with the financial means to attend PSTM23, which not only enriched my knowledge but also facilitated the development of new mentor relationships. I am immensely grateful for the generosity and support extended to me by ASPS. – Emily Finkelstein, MD PGY-1 University of Miami

Filled with excitement

Taking part in PSTM23 was memorable both as an upcoming plastic surgeon and from a personal perspective. I have attended other plastic surgery meetings, but nothing compares to the scale and magnitude of PSTM. I attended committee meetings for WPS, YPS, the Leadership Development Committee and the ASPS Global Leadership Forum. From WPS, I learned that despite the demanding and intense schedule each surgeon has, it’s essential to always prioritize your own well-being. It’s also delightful to see women surgeons with various backgrounds discuss ways they can empower each other. In Indonesia, although most plastic surgeons are female, we remain underestimated when compared to our male counterparts.

I feel immensely blessed being the first scholar from my center and to also represent Indonesia in this program. Although I never considered myself to be a “lone traveler,” I mustered the confidence to approach and hold discussions with plastic surgery giants and pioneers regarding the future of the specialty and how it can be applicable in Indonesia. There are many developments in surgical techniques and planning that could be applicable in daily practices in my country, which filled me with excitement to share with my peers. During the

“Advances in Head and Neck Microsurgery” session, I learned about other workhorse flaps (such as scapular and iliac flaps) that could be utilized in the reconstruction of mandible other than fibular flaps. Keeping in mind the patients that I often see in Indonesia, this provided me with immediately useful knowledge to provide more reconstructive options following head-and-neck tumor ablation.

During the ASPS Global Leadership Forum, I spoke with Randy Miller, MD, and residents from Italy about the issues they face in our countries –both the United States and Italy have many practices that claim to provide plastic surgery procedures, but they’re done by uncertified personnel. As a result, many patients then suffer complications and seek help from board-certified plastic surgeons. ASPS immediate-past President Gregory Greco, DO, also mentioned in relation to the “I am a board-certified plastic surgeon” campaign to ensure the dissemination of credible health information by credible personnel in social media. It really brought home that all plastic surgeons, despite our backgrounds, are responsible for educating our patients and should work together to ensure the dissemination of credible health information.

I am eager to keep improving myself, learning from the best resources and expanding my networks through keen relationship with the ASPS to become a resourceful plastic surgeon for my country.

– Alita Indania, MD PGY-3 Universitas Indonesia-Cipto Mangunkusumo Indonesia

Inspiring to witness

PSTM23 definitely further piqued my interest in participating in ASPS and The PSF in the future. I enjoyed the sessions on facelift, body contouring, migraine, rhinoplasty, TIDE talks and, of course, the Innovation Challenge, in which I participated as a speaker – and won the runner-up prize.

I was able to witness the ASPS Board of Directors meeting, the Visiting Professor Committee meeting and the Social Media Subcommittee meeting, all of which provided invaluable insight into the dedication and commitment of the members. It’s inspiring and you can really see how it translates to success of the Society.

I’d say my biggest “wow” moment was winning the runner-up prize in the Innovation Challenge, but it was also an honor to be an author or co-author on seven oral presentations and, honestly, just to connect with world-renowned plastic surgeons. The innovation prize in particular provided further validation of the efficacy of my innovation. It will now serve as a great springboard to move further along the innovation timeline – focusing on regulatory approval and raising funds. I’m grateful to ASPS for the scholarship, which supported me in coming to the United States and has undoubtedly had a significant impact on my career and innovation goals.

– Ankur Khajuria, MD PGY-3 Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust United Kingdom January/February 2024

New insights

My time at PSTM23 was a phenomenal experience. Although I previously collaborated with The PSF’s SHARE program, attending the SHARE panel and talks at the meeting inspired me to get more involved with the organization and organize my PSF grant proposal. I audited committee meetings including the Visiting Professor Steering Committee, Residents Council and Leadership Development Committee. My biggest takeaway from these was the early impact I can have as a resident – and the numerous avenues to get involved and make an impact in our specialty. The ability to network with the Technology, Innovation, Discovery and Entrepreneurship (TIDE) Committee, and attending the Innovation Challenge and TIDE talks we have worked to put on was invaluable.

I think that networking with colleagues I have not been able to see post-COVID, as well as with leaders in our field, was probably my greatest takeaway this year. The only challenge was there was so much to do in such a short amount of time. Besides seeing the incredible things plastic surgeons are doing in every subspecialty of our field, the global and humanitarian impact plastic surgeons have proved incredibly inspiring, and I left wanting to push myself to do more and be better to contribute to these ventures.

I want to be a surgeon who advances the needle. I hope that at the end of my career I will have made an impact on the field and my patients.

I truly want to thank ASPS and The PSF for giving me the opportunity to attend this year’s meeting, and for the chance to connect with and learn from people currently changing the game.

This opportunity gave me new insight into these goals and direction on how to achieve them.

– Garrison Leach, MD PGY-3 University of California-San Diego

Revitalized and excited

My attendance at PSTM23 reaffirmed my interest in getting involved with ASPS and The PSF. I found it truly inspiring to see plastic surgeons from around the world come together to share ideas, debate and discuss different topics in our specialty – and help shape national policy and the future of plastic surgery.

My greatest insight from the audited meetings during PSTM was learning more about the Residents Council and the different areas

in which residents can get involved with ASPS. I also learned about the mentorship programs that ASPS offers, which helped me inform my co-residents about ways we can get involved and some changes that might affect each of us in the near future.

My biggest success during the meeting was my presentation on ChatGPT in plastic surgery during the PRS Global Open Tech Talk. I believe this is an important topic that will have significant impact on our field in the years to come. Another significant “wow” moment was the resident networking event where our scholarship awards were presented. The turnout was incredible, and I was able to reconnect with resident colleagues from the interview trail and faculty members from prior institutions I have spent time at, as well as meet new people. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know a few medical students from around the country who are applying to plastic surgery in the coming years. Mentorship and education are passions of mine, and being able to offer advice and encouragement to these students was very fulfilling. I left the meeting feeling revitalized, excited and filled with ideas – and I think that’s what these meetings are all about.

– Nicholas Oleck, MD PGY-3 Duke University Durham, N.C.

Creative solutions

Attending PSTM23 strengthened my interest in mentorship, education and social media. Prior to the meeting, I held several formal and informal mentorship roles. However, after meeting in-person with mentees and mentors at PSTM, I gained more appreciation for the role and really saw how I wouldn’t be where I am today without the mentors who supported me on my journey to plastic surgery. I hope to give back by continuing my involvement serving as a mentor in other ASPS programs.

PSTM23 also piqued my interest in furthering resident education. It was amazing to see everyone’s knowledge displayed during the Residents Bowl. I would love to create material for ASPS EdNet courses – and my ultimate dream would be to make these courses free to medical students and international residents and attendings.

It was also great to hear from early-career surgeons and female attendings involved in

YPS and WPS, and I found it amazing to see how early-career plastic surgeons supported one another in YPS by organizing talks on contract negotiation, practice management and self-promotion. Additionally, it was inspiring to witness the growth of WPS from less than 20 members to more than 300 today.

I had not seen my first mentor in plastic surgery, Mike Johnson, MD, since medical school graduation. I relished the opportunity to visit with him, as I would not have had the confidence to pursue plastic surgery without his guidance. Since starting residency, I’ve developed an interest in microsurgery and hope to pursue fellowship upon graduation. ASPS graciously matched me with an incredible breast microsurgeon, Minh-Doan Nguyen, MD, who provided me with excellent advice. Dr. Nguyen not only solidified my interest in microsurgery, but she also connected me with previous graduates from my residency program who currently practice all over the country.

As a junior surgical resident, it can be easy to lose sight of my “why” for pursuing plastic surgery. Long hours, endless call shifts and the demands of adjusting to off-service rotations leave little time to reflect on my career goals. However, as I listened to the stories during the Patients of Courage segment of Opening Ceremonies, my motivation for selecting plastic surgery was reinforced. Witnessing the relationships between these patients and their plastic surgeons renewed my love for plastic surgery. To me, the relationship between a patient and their plastic surgeon is one of the most sacred in the field of medicine. Helping patients adjust to their new reality after trauma, setting shared goals and using creative solutions to restore form and function is a true privilege that I am incredibly excited to experience. With each day that passes, my excitement to become a plastic surgeon grows. My thanks to ASPS for allowing me to attend PSTM23 and for its continued support of advancing my plastic surgery education.

– Kelly Spiller, MD PGY-2 University of Cincinnati

Invigorated, grateful

My experience at PSTM23 opened my eyes to how plastic surgeons at every stage in their career – and among the spectrum of practice patterns – have vast opportunities to participate in ASPS/PSF. I enjoyed attending the

YPS Steering Committee meeting to see how plastic surgeons early in their career are putting forth effort to provide fresh perspectives to advance the field and develop their leadership skills. While meeting with my PSTM assigned mentor, Patricia Mars, MD, I learned that plastic surgeons can get involved with ASPS and associated committees really at any point in their practice career. It was also great to see that surgeons from academic, private or mixed settings are all involved. Moving forward, I want to play a more active role in the ASPS Residents and Fellows Forum while I’m in training.

My goal for this meeting was to meet as many people as I could and attend as many educational sessions as possible. I think I succeeded, meeting both residents and attendings from other plastic surgery programs throughout the country as well as several private practice surgeons. I also had the opportunity to learn more about products in the exhibit hall that I’ve never used nor seen. The panels and abstract sessions provided a lot of information that will help me move forward in my training. I particularly enjoyed molding a nose from clay in the facial sculpting session, learning about managing breast complications and learning about mentorship from top plastic surgery leaders.

Prior to attending PSTM23, my exposure to plastic surgery was exclusively from a California perspective due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as attending only local meetings because of financial constraints. I loved seeing the variety of techniques and perspectives from leaders around the country. It broadened my interests and understanding of topics. My University of California-Irvine mentors have frequently told me that plastic surgery is a tight-knit community, but it wasn’t until I attended PSTM that I fully appreciated this statement. I loved seeing how collegial and engaged plastic surgeons from around the world were with each other, and I enjoyed seeing plastic surgeons even at the senior-most level taking notes at panel discussions after hearing pearls or new techniques to advance their practice. It was poignant to see how the passion and creativity that drive most people to plastic surgery doesn’t fizzle out. I felt invigorated and even more grateful for my opportunity to be trained as a plastic surgeon and to become involved in ASPS. – Ekaterina Tiourin, MD PGY-3 University of California-Irvine |

(Left to right) ASPS/PSF Vice President of Membership Michele Manahan, MD; Kelly Spiller, MD; Alita Indania, MD; Garrison Leach, MD; Alessandra Ceccaroni, MD; Nicholas Oleck, MD; Ankur Khajuria, MD; Andi Cummins, MD; Emily Finkelstein, MD; and Paul Cantin of KLS Martin during Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2023 in Austin.

January/February 2024

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The PSF thanks all those who donated in 2023

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he PSF’s excellence and leadership within the specialty depend greatly on the generosity of ASPS members. From annual gifts that make an immediate impact to endowed gifts that support future generations of plastic surgeons, contributions to The PSF serve as the catalyst of innovation for our specialty.

Last year, your generous contributions, professional achievements and selfless enthusiasm enabled The PSF to perpetuate its reputation as the most distinguished research foundation in the specialty. Thanks to your generosity, The PSF provided grant funding for investigator-initiated research projects, international scholars at U.S. plastic surgery institutions, distributed Breast Reconstruction Awareness Fund grants to U.S.-based charities and awarded Charitable Care Breast Reconstruction Awareness Fund grants to cover breast cancer surgical care costs for women who otherwise could not afford reconstruction. Donations were made from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023.

Sapphire

David Genecov, MD* Steven Williams, MD

Platinum

Sherwood Smith, MD

Diamond

Daniel Freet, MD C. Scott Hultman, MD, MBA Arthur Yu, MD

Gold

THE PSF THANKS YOU

Frank Agullo, MD Marguerite Barnett, MD Chuma Chike-Obi, MD Loren Engrav, MD Gregory Greco, DO Keli Kolegraff, MD, PhD Christine Rohde, MD, MPH

Sterling

Jeffrey Ascherman, MD Alberto Aviles, MD Bruce Baker, MD C. Bob Basu, MD, MBA, MPH Richard Baynosa, MD Devra Becker, MD Gunnar Bergqvist, MD Michael Bohley, MD Steven Bonawitz, MD Christopher Brooks, MD Hoang Bui, MD Earl Campbell, MD Aaron Capuano, MD Eugene Cherny, MD Michael Christy, MD Mark Clemens, MD Christopher Costa, MD, MPH

Maliniac Circle

The Maliniac Circle was named for ASPS co-founder Jacques Maliniac, MD. Fellows of the Maliniac Circle have made an outright gift of $50,000 or more, or a minimum deferred gift of $100,000, advancing plastic surgery to a higher level through research, innovation and public service.

The following is a complete list of Maliniac Circle members. We thank them for their commitment to the specialty.

Dr. Bruce* and Tamara Achauer Dr. John and Candese Alexander Dr. Bernard and Susan Alpert 16

Michael Costelloe Kevin Cross, MD Richard D’Amico, MD Lynn Damitz, MD Joseph Disa, MD Christian El Amm, MD Sepehr Egrari, MD Heather Erhard, MD Randall Feingold, MD Thomas Francel, MD William Franckle, MD Brooke French, MD John Gatti, MD Gayle Gordillo, MD Arun Gosain, MD Karol Gutowski, MD Josef Hadeed, MD Melinda Haws, MD Ginard Henry, MD Julie Holding, MD Karen Horton, MD, MSc Tai-Lin Hu, MD Kenneth C. W. Hui, MD Debra Johnson, MD K. Alex Kim, MD Sugene Kim, MD Timothy King, MD, PhD Gilson Kingman, MD Janice Lalikos, MD David Larson, MD Danielle LeBlanc, MD Gordon Lee, MD Joshua Lemmon, MD Howie Levinson, MD John LoGiudice, MD David Low, MD Michele Manahan, MD Bernard Markowitz, MD Timothy Marten, MD Aaron Mason, MD Bruce Mast, MD

Alan Matarasso, MD Evan Matros, MD Aaron Mayberry, MD Babak Mehrara, MD J. Gerald Minniti, MD Andrea Moreira, MD Eamon O’Reilly, MD Anke Ott-Young, MD Samuel Poore, MD, PhD Michael Reed Esq. Charlotte Rhee, MD Carolyn Rogers-Vizena, MD Leonard Roudner, MD J. Peter Rubin, MD, MBA Justin Sacks, MD, MBA Loren Schechter, MD S. Larry Schlesinger, MD Alan Serure, MD Reginald Sherrill, MD Charles Slack, MD David Song, MD, MBA Leigh Spera, MD Aldona Spiegel, MD Steven Struck, MD Gregory Swank, MD Anne Taylor, MD, MPH Jon Paul Trevisani, MD Victoria Vastine, MD Nicholas Vedder, MD Robert Wallace, MD Amy Wandel, MD Steven White, MD Libby Wilson, MD Andrew Wolin, MD Toni Zhong, MD Anthony Admire, MD Ghada Afifi, MD Richard Agag, MD Amy Alderman, MD

Ashley Amalfi, MD Hamid Amirsheybani, MD Lauren Archer, MD Ramon Arscott, MD, PhD Carl Askren, MD Rafael Avila, MD Nebil Aydin, MD Olga Bachilo, MD Stephen Baker, MD Stuart Baker, MD Haven Barlow Jr., MD Glenn Becker, MD Michael Bentz, MD Jonathan Berman, MD Keith Berman, MD Michael Bernstein, MD Adam Boettcher, MD Lisa Bootstaylor, MD Debra Bourne, MD Kristen Broderick, MD Brian Buinewicz, MD Athleo Cambre, MD Chris Campbell, MD William Carter, MD Andrew Chen, MD Angela Cheng, MD Tae Chong, MD Beth Collins, MD Amy Colwell, MD Joshua Cooper, MD Julia Corcoran, MD John Corey, MD Jennifer Cross Catherine Curtin, MD Michael Curtis, MD Alexander Dagum, MD Jeffrey Darrow, MD Jared Davis, MD Konrad Dawson, MD Joseph Dayan, MD Anne DeLaney, MD

Jorge de la Torre, MD Michael Desvigne, MD Gregory Dick, MD Tue Dinh, MD Daniel Driscoll, MD Chandra Dunbar S. Alexander Earle, MD Kyle Eberlin, MD Themistocles Economou, MD Brent Egeland, MD Frederick Eko, MD Luis Gonzalez Fernandez, MD Ronald Ford, MD William Franks Jr., MD Jeffrey Friedman, MD Robert Galiano, MD Alberto Gallerani, MD Katerina Gallus, MD Noopur Gangopadhyay, MD Onelio Garcia, MD Patrick Garvey, MD Brian Gastman, MD Lloyd Gayle, MD Antonio Gayoso, MD Robert Grant, MD John Grossman, MD David Halpern, MD Dennis Hammond, MD Michelle Hardaway, MD Jennifer Harrington, MD Theresa Hegge, MD Peter Henderson, MD, MBA William Hoffman, MD Collin Hong, MD Robert Howard, MD Henry Hsia, MD Tara Huston, MD Clyde Ishii, MD Elliot Jacobs, MD Gary Jacobs, MD Sonu Jain, MD

Drs. Darrick and Elizabeth Antell Dr. Stephan and Viviane Leao-Baker Dr. Mark T. Boschert Dr. Keith and Tina Brandt Dr. Garry Brody* Dr. Richard E. and Colleen A. Brown Dr. Brentley and Diane Buchele Dr. Rafael C. Cabrera Dr. Theodore and Sheryl Calianos Dr. John and Laurie Canady Drs. Paul S. and Jean B. Cederna Drs. Andrew and Amy Chen Dr. Eugene and Ruth Ann Cherny Dr. Norman* and Pat Cole

Dr. Sydney R. Coleman Dr. Mark and Charlotte Constantian Dr. Mary Ann Contongiannis and Ralph E. Huey Dr. Robert N. Cooper Dr. James R. and Gayle Cullington Dr. J. Douglas and Barbara Cusick Drs. Richard and Brenda D’Amico Dr. Tancredi D’Amore Dr. Lynn Damitz Dr. Glenn and Maryann Davis Dr. Sara R. Dickie Dr. Sharadkumar Dicksheet* Dr. T. Michael Dixon Dr. Greg and Helga Dowbak Dr. Sepehr Egrari

Dr. Walter and Carolyn Erhardt Dr. Daniel J. Freet Drs. Heather J. Furnas and Francisco L. Canales Dr. Roberta Gartside Dr. John E. and Margaret M. Gatti, Esq. Drs. David* and Lisa Genecov Dr. Giovanna Ghafoori Dr. Scot and Alisa Glasberg Dr. R. Cole Goodman Dr. Gayle Gordillo Dr. Arun and Smita Gosain Dr. Gregory A. Greco and Daniel Ranger Dr. Richard and Robin Greco Dr. Matthew Greives Dr. B. Rai Gupta Dr. Subhas and Seema Gupta

Dr. Geoffrey and Kathryn Gurtner Dr. Karol and Ellen Gutowski Dr. Bahman and Lora Guyuron Dr. Dan and Mrs. Lynsi Hatef Dr. James* and Barbara Hoehn Dr. Scott Hollenbeck Dr. C. Scott and Rev. Suzanne C. Hultman Dr. Ron and Nancy Israeli Dr. Ronald and Virginia Iverson Dr. Jeffrey and Emily Janis Dr. John and Marcia Jarrett Dr. Debra J. Johnson Dr. Michael Kalisman Dr. Susan Kaweski Dr. Brian Kinney* Dr. Gurmander and Maninder Kohli

Silver

January/February 2024

Ash Patel, MBChB Manuel Pena, MD Vincent Perrotta, MD Brett Phillips, MD, MBA Melissa Poh, MD Charles Polsen, MD Kirk Potter, DO Norman Rappaport, MD, DDS Larry Reaves, MD Thomas Rishavy, MD Renee Robbins Bruce Rodgers, MD Matthew Romans, MD Lorne Rosenfield, MD Andrew Rosenthal, MD Malcolm Roth, MD Michelle Roughton, MD Paul Ruff IV, MD Sandra Sacks, MD Rajendra Sawh-Martinez, MD, MHS Adam Schaffner, MD Steven Schuster, MD Jaime Schwartz, MD Graham Schwarz, MD Christopher Shale, MD Sachin Shridharani, MD Alison Snyder-Warwick, MD John Sparrow, MD Isaac Starker, MD William Stefani, MD John Stranix, MD Srinivas Susarla, MD, DMD, MPH Michael Sweet, MD Mia Talmor, MD Jesse Taylor, MD Winnie Tong, MD Scott Tucker, MD Theodore Uroskie, MD George Varkarakis, MD Glenn Vallecillos, MD Christian Vercler, MD Charles Verheyden, MD, PhD Rafael Villalobos, DO David Wages, MD Robert Wald Jr., MD Holly Casey Wall, MD Dawn Wang, MD D. Keith West, MD Jane Weston, MD Michael Wong, MD June Wu, MD Liza Wu, MD David Yan, MD

Michael Yates, MD Randall Yetman, MD Diana Yoon-Schwartz, MD, PhD Sean Younai, MD Roderick Zickler, MD

Drs. Joshua and Siobhan Korman Dr. William and Linda Kuzon Dr. David and Sherry Larson Dr. David C. Leber Drs. Bernard and Britt Lee Dr. Charles K. Lee Dr. Samuel Lin Dr. J. William Little Dr. Scott Loessin Drs. Joseph Losee and Franklyn Cladis Dr. Adam Lowenstein Dr. Dennis and Mary Lynch Dr. Sergio Pasquale Maggi Dr. Raman C. Mahabir Fred* and Mary McCoy Foundation Dr. Michael Francis McGuire* Dr. Dan and Jan Mills

Dr. Peter Neligan Dr. Michael W. Neumeister Dr. R. Barrett and Barbara Noone Drs. John and Katie Osborn Dr. Douglas Ousterhout Dr. and Mrs. Vasu Pandrangi Dr. Christopher Pannucci Dr. Ash Patel Dr. James and Diane Payne Dr. John and Susan Persing Drs. Linda and William Phillips Dr. B. Aviva Preminger Dr. Patrick Proffer Drs. Andrea and Martin Pusic Dr. Norman and Deborah Rappaport Dr. Debra Ann Reilly-Culver Dr. William Riley

January/February 2024

David Abramson, MD Peter Aldea, MD Mohammed Alghoul, MD James Andersen, MD Kahlil Andrews, MD Bryan Armijo, MD Mokhtar Asaadi, MD Angel Rivera Barrios, MD Steven Bernard, MD Paul A. Berry, MD Cristiano Boneti, MD Joseph Boykin Jr., MD M. Bradley Calobrace, MD Steven Camp, MD Robert Carpenter, MD Larry Carson, MD, MBA Alexander Castillo, MD Manish Champaneria, MD Edward Chang, MD Ernest Chiu, MD Alvin Cohn, MD Rodrigo Contreras, MD Jeffrey Copeland, MD Guy Crevecoeur, MD William Cullen, MD Milos Cvjetkovic Alexander Davit III, MD Sara Dickie, MD Vincent DiNick, MD Arriyan Dowlatshahi, MD William Dzwierzynski, MD Patricia Eby, MD Francesco Egro, MD, MSc, MRCS Lars Enevoldsen, MD Jessica Erdmann-Sager, MD Ubaldo Carpinteyro Espín, MD Maristella Evangelista, MD Gregory R.D. Evans, MD Heather Faulkner, MD, MPH Gregory Fedele, MD Neil Fine, MD Paige Fox, MD, PhD Stacey Francis, MD Joseph Franklin, MD Catharine Garland, MD Peter Geldner, MD Amir Ghaznavi, MD

Eduardo Gonzalez, MD Jannine Griese Jeffrey Gusenoff, MD Steven Haase, MD Nicholas Haddock, MD Jonathan Hall, MD Blaine Hamilton Steven Hamilton, MD Michael Hanemann Jr., MD Daniel Hatef, MD R. Scott Haupt, MD D’Arcy Honeycutt, MD Maarten Hoogbergen, MD, PhD Olivia Hutchinson, MD Louis Iorio, MD Andrey Iskornev, MD Rodrigo Escobar Jaramillo, MD Sang Yoon Kang, MD Bram Kaufman, MD Surinder Kaur Christine Kelley-Patteson, MD Phillip Khan, MD Brian Kinney, MD* Joshua Korman, MD Aleksandra Krajewski, MD William Kuzon, MD, PhD Mark Labowe, MD Sanjay Lalla, MD Alan Larsen, MD W. Thomas Lawrence, MD Elizabeth Lee, MD Scott Lifchez, MD Joan Lipa, MD, MSc Paul LoVerme, MD Li Lu, MD Mark Magnusson, MD Peter Marzek, MD Mark McClung, MD Meghan McGovern, MD Alexander Mericli, MD Basil Michaels, MD Steven Montante, MD John Murphy, MD Robert X. Murphy Jr., MD Thomas Mustoe, MD Vincent Naman, MD Gregory Neil, MD Scott Newman, MD Scott Nishikawa, MD Morry Olenick, MD Steven Ozeran, MD George Papanicolaou, MD Frederick K. Park, MD Julie Park, MD

Thornwell Parker III, MD Tarak Patel, MD Anne Peled, MD Galen Perdikis, MD Elizabeth Peterson, MD Anil Punjabi, MD, DDS Ariel Rad, MD, PhD Gregory Ratliff, MD Edward Reece, MD Brian Reedy, MD Debra Reilly, MD Kristen Rezak, MD Jody Rodgers, MD Cesar Octavio Lopez Romero, MD Silvia Rotemberg, MD Teodore Saieh, MD Moises Salama, MD Marc Salzman, MD George Sanders, MD Thomas Satterwhite, MD Deana Shenaq, MD Kenneth Smith, MD Hooman Soltanian, MD Catherine Sommers Vassilis Stamatiou, MD Matthew Stanwix, MD Michael Stefan, MD David Stephens, MD Victoria Yongsook Suh, MD Michael Suzman, MD Jeff Swail, MD Peter Taub, MD Daniel Thomas, MD Rudolf Thompson, MD Andrew Trussler, MD Jon Ver Halen, MD Lambros Viennas, MD Paul Vitenas Jr., MD Raj Vyas, MD Nicholas Webster, MD Jong-Ick Whang, MD Deborah White, MD Mark Wigod, MD William Wittenborn, MD* Kerri Woodberry, MD Teanoosh Zadeh, MD

Dr. Luis M. Rios, Sr.* Dr. Luis M. Rios, Jr. Dr. Rod Rohrich and Diane Gibby Dr. Stephen Ronan Dr. Michelle Roughton Dr. Robert and Cynthia Ruberg Dr. Robert and Anne Russell Dr. Justin Sacks Dr. Kenneth* and Luci Salyer Dr. Bernard* G. and Rhoda G. Sarnat Dr. Loren S. Schechter Dr. James D. and Kathleen Schlenker Dr. Petra Schneider-Redden and Curt Redden Dr. Paul and Barbara Schnur Dr. Ali Seif*

Dr. Jack* and Anita Sheen Dr. Michele Shermak and Mr. Howard Sobkov Dr. Randy Sherman* Dr. Reginald R. Sherrill Dr. Geoffroy and Lauren Sisk Dr. Margaret and Stephen Skiles Dr. Sherwood and Judith Smith Dr. David H. and Janie Song Dr. Scott* and Cynthia Spear Dr. John (JT) Stranix Dr. Anne Taylor and David Heutel Dr. Kevin Tehrani Dr. Jacob Unger Dr. Karen B. Vaniver* Drs. Nicholas B. Vedder and Susan R. Heckbert

Dr. Charles and Gale Verheyden Dr. Amy Wandel Dr. Philip D. and Elizabeth L. Wey Dr. Linton and Renata Whitaker Dr. Thomas C. Wiener Dr. Steven Williams Dr. Robert* and JoAnne Winslow Dr. Robin T.W. Yuan Dr. Elvin* G. and Sharon Zook

Bronze

THE PSF THANKS YOU

Ellen Janetzke, MD Robert Jetter, MD Heather Karu, MD Charles Kays, MD Robert Kearney, MD Suzanne Kerley, MD Sami Khan, MD Christopher Killingsworth, MD Gabriel Kind, MD Emily Kirby, MD Jason Ko, MD, MBA Richard Korentager, MD Jeffrey Kozlow, MD Daniel Krochmal, MD Jeffery Krueger, MD Khoa Lai, MD Samuel Lance, MD Thomas Leach, MD Charles Lee, MD Amber Leis, MD Dan Li, MD, PhD Samuel Lin, MD, MBA H. Peter Lorenz, MD Ahcene Madjoudj, MD Raman Mahabir, MD Algird Mameniskis, MD Erik Marques, MD Patricia Mars, MD Carlos Mata, MD, MBA David Mathes, MD G. Patrick Maxwell, MD Gwendolyn Maxwell, MD Gina McClure William McDonald, MD Patricia McGuire, MD Elise Mecham, MD Jorge Menendez, MD Charles Messa III, MD Paul Mills, MD Kerry-Ann Mitchell, MD, PhD Nana Mizuguchi, MD Raymond Mockler, MD Arash Momeni, MD Luis Gerardo Garcia Moreno, MD Lisa Murcko, MD Jason Mussman, MD Paige Myers, MD Yukihiro Nakamura, MD G. Neurohr, MD George Newton, MD Dung Nguyen, MD Minh-Doan Nguyen, MD, PhD Anne Nickodem, MD David Otterburn, MD Keith Paige, MD

Giving levels Sapphire: $25,000+ Platinum: $10,000 - $24,999 Diamond: $5,000 - $9,999 Gold: $2,500 - $4,999 Sterling: $1,000 - $2,499 Silver: $500 - $999 Bronze: $375 - $499

Anonymous (3) *Deceased

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Pilot Research Grant

Devoted to reducing breast reduction hematoma

of TXA and how topical administration affects serum levels.

By Jim Leonardo

Editor’s note: The following is part of an ongoing series highlighting The PSF Research Grant Award winners, and research they’re conducting to improve patient safety and develop new technologies for plastic surgeons. These features examine research funding awarded prior to the current year, as projects to which grants were awarded this year may not yet have results ready to discuss.

PSN: Do you have any theories as to what was behind that?

Dr. Yao: We believe the lack of observed difference between treated and untreated breasts is likely due to our low sample size and the low event rate of our target outcome. Since we reported our results, there have been several studies on TXA, both IV and topical. We’re looking forward to the outcomes of those studies, particularly those performed on a large scale – we all share the same goal, to make surgery as safe as possible for our patients.

THE RESEARCHER

FOCUS ON PLASTIC SURGERY RESEARCH

Amy Yao, MD Title: PGY-6, Montefiore Medical Center Award: Pilot Research Grant Project: Use of Tranexamic Acid in Reduction Mammaplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial PSN: What do you hope to understand through your investigation of TXA? Dr. Yao: We were investigating whether topical tranexamic acid (TXA) can help prevent hematomas after breast reduction. TXA has become popular across many surgical subspecialties for its ability to decrease bleeding and transfusion requirements without increasing the risk of blood clots such as DVTs or PEs, but it’s usually given intravenously.

While breast reduction is a safe and very common operation, hematomas can be urgent or even emergent complications that may require an unplanned return to the O.R. or blood transfusions, or lead to more postoperative complications. We were looking for a safe, inexpensive and easily implemented way to reduce postoperative bleeding.

We wanted to see if topical TXA could be as effective while minimizing the systemic exposure to the drug. Since breast reductions are usually performed bilaterally, we were able to design a randomized controlled trial in which each patient acted as their own control: One breast received topical TXA and the other received a placebo. Either the right or left breast was randomized to receive TXA, and everyone

(Above) Dr. Yao assists on a lower-extremity reconstruction at Montefiore Medical Center and (right) climbing a route in the Shawangunk Ridge in June 2021. involved in the operation was blinded, except for the circulating nurse. This allowed us to eliminate any confounders that normally contribute to hematoma formation.

PSN: What have you learned from your work thus far?

Dr. Yao: We completed the study and were able to enroll our goal of 100 patients. We did not observe a difference in hematoma rates or in postoperative complications between the TXA-treated breasts versus the controls, which came as a surprise, but was interesting nonetheless. Our manuscript was recently accepted to PRS for publication.

PSN: What do you see as within the realm of possibilities with this research?

Dr. Yao: This investigation was a pilot study that, graciously, was funded by The PSF, so our primary goal was proof-of-concept. Given the generally low hematoma rate associated with breast reduction, it would be ideal to perform this same study on a much larger scale.

PSN: Has anything unexpected surfaced, and did it change your focus?

Dr. Yao: We didn’t expect there would be no observed difference in hematoma rates between TXA-treated breasts and the controls.

This pointed our analysis in a different direction, such as looking at the pharmacokinetics

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18

PSN: Who would you like to thank for their help with this project?

Dr. Yao: There are so many people to thank!

I’m so grateful to Joseph Ricci, MD, the principal investigator on the project and a research mentor of mine, for all the time he spent on the study design and implementation, and for patiently answering my many questions. Fei Wang, MD, who’s now a plastic surgery resident at the University of Washington, was absolutely instrumental in enrolling the patients and analyzing our results. And, of course, this study couldn’t have been done without the wholehearted support of the Montefiore plastic surgery attendings, the outstanding O.R. staff and my wonderful co-residents.

PSN: What did you want to be when you grew up?

Dr. Yao: My parents could never get me away from the computer when I was younger. I remember teaching myself graphic design and how to build simple websites. I even had a small business where I designed posters and artwork for people in town. Back then, it was my dream to become a professional graphic designer.

PSN: Not counting this work, what’s been your favorite research project to date?

Dr. Yao: I’m most proud of a project I worked on earlier in residency with the wonderful Katie Weichman, MD, studying whether nitroglycerin ointment (Nitropaste) can prevent mastectomy skin-flap necrosis in autologous breast reconstruction. I’ve always loved the idea that small modifications can have significant, meaningful effects on patient outcomes and recovery.

PSN: How do you spend your time away from the O.R.?

Dr. Yao: Outside of residency, my partner, Bradlee, and I try to be as active as we can. We spend a lot of time skiing, backpacking (in all four seasons) and hiking. When we’re not outside, I love weightlifting, crossword puzzles and visiting my parents and their two pups upstate.

PSN: What sounds are most commonly heard in your O.R.?

Dr. Yao: I’m happy when any music is playing, but my go-tos when I get to choose are poppunk bands, ’90s alternative and the “Morning Motown” station on Pandora. I like country music and metal bands as well, but unfortunately many people in the O.R. do not!

For more information about the many research studies funded by The PSF or to support our current and future research initiatives, please go to ThePSF.org. PSN January/February 2024

Support along the way

A The Society’s partnership with MedTech Innovator is not only paving the road to success for plastic surgeon entrepreneurs – it’s opening new doors that many members never knew existed.

By ASPS Staff

January/February 2024

s a resident, ASPS member Robert Pollack, MD, San Diego, says he knew he wouldn’t be able to afford an EMR system. However, with an interest in computers and programming, he set about designing his own personal EMR system that he would go on to use in his practice for the next 15 years.

“Everyone who saw it or used it would tell me how great it was and that I should think about commercializing it, but I just didn’t have that kind of mindset,” he recalls.

However, Dr. Pollack ended up partnering with another plastic surgeon who did see the commercial prospects of the system, and they took it to market. The cloudbased system ended up being purchased by Nextech, and Dr. Pollack actually left his practice to become a full-time employee for Nextech – although that was somewhat shortlived.

19

We have a very deep bench in plastic surgery with regard to innovation and entrepreneurship.

We are competing on the biggest stage against innovators across all specialties – and not just competing, but winning.

– TIDE Committee Chair Justin Sacks, MD, MBA “When it came to market, there was a lot of functionality that doctors said they needed,” Dr. Pollack notes. “Price quotes, line-item discounting, different ways of generating chart notes, using handwriting on an iPad – just things that I had never done. I went back to private practice and I knew I could do a better job of programming it. So when my non-compete clause ended, I pushed this stronger system, which developed into 4D-EMR.” 4D-EMR was one of the five companies on the plastic surgery track that participated in last year’s MedTech Innovator (MTI) competition. Two of those companies – Fingy 3D and Newrotex – advanced to the finals, with each securing $25,000 in awards. Another company, ImmersiveTouch, won “best video” out of the top-16 pitch videos and landed $10,000. It marked the second consecutive year that plastic surgery-focused companies made it to the final round of judging (in a field of more than 70 companies), an immediate reflection of the impact that the Society’s budding partnership with MTI is already returning. In its first year, two companies advanced to the top 10 – and one landed in the top five finalists.

The Society teamed up with MTI, the largest accelerator of medical devices in the world, in December 2021. MTI matches healthcare-industry leaders with innovative medical-technology startups for mentorship and support. Under its partnership with ASPS, selected companies – those in the start-up or early (up to C-round funding) commercialization stages of creating a medical device, diagnostic or digital health company – go through a series of pitch competitions judged by plastic surgeons and industry experts. Finalists then advance in the plastic surgery-focused track, with five spots guaranteed to come from that track and up to $500,000 in cash prizes and in-kind awards available to winners. The Society’s continued participation in the ASPS-MTI Plastic Surgery Track is supported in part by Motiva, the 2024 Innovation Sponsor of the ASPS Plastic Surgery Innovation Challenge and MTI/ ASPS Accelerator program.

In 2024, MedTech Innovator will select 50 medical technology start-ups – including the five from the Plastic Surgery Accelerator Track – to participate in its annual Accelerator and Showcase cohort.

“Plastic surgery is a specialty built on conceptualizing creative solutions to difficult problems, and that skillset is particularly valuable in developing new tools to improve patient care,” says ASPS President Steven Williams, MD. “Our partnership with MedTech Innovator offers our members a unique opportunity to bring their devices, apps, technology and other innovations to market by connecting our members to resources required at any stage of innovator development from idea to late-stage funding.”

Although 4D-EMR didn’t make it to the finals, Dr. Pollack says taking part in the competition advanced his company in unexpected ways.

“I had a reporter from the San Diego Busi-

20

ness Journal call, wanting to do an article about my company,” he notes. “That’s free publicity.

But more than that, it’s really the ecosystem that you’re put into through MTI. For someone who’s starting a company, you can really only dream of getting face-to-face with someone at Johnson & Johnson or Olympus that invests in these ideas. How do you go about actually doing it? For most companies, they can’t.

But with MTI, they’re right there. The amount of knowledge, confidence and connections you acquire is invaluable.”

Of course, with the track record established from companies tied to ASPS members, it’s also showing that the ideas plastic surgeons want to bring to market are invaluable. Last year’s field of competitors included Fingy3D, founded by plastic surgeon Tom McClellan, MD, who, after years of repairing and amputating fingers, began manufacturing low-cost, 3D-printed prosthetic fingers that can be shipped directly to plastic surgeons’ doors to help patients who have amputated digits. Another company from the ASPS-MTI Plastic Surgery Track, Newrotex, provides a silk conduit for peripheral nerve repair designed to address a long, unmet need in long-length nerve repair. ImmersiveTouch’s latest product allows users to visualize and interactively plan surgery in virtual reality by transforming conventional images into a VR model. Cellulora is developing a cellulose-based material for soft-tissue repair designed to be an injectable, long-term filler with biocompatibility that matches autologous tissue.

Company representatives note that without MTI, they would have faced uncertainty regarding development and marketing their products – making the gains of the partnership invaluable.

“MTI definitely spurred us to move our technology out of the grant-funded lab/R&D tinkering phase,” says Cellulora CEO Steve Davis. “We kept thinking we weren’t ready yet – or it needed to be perfect before speaking with investors. As part of the accelerator, however, we saw how much faster we could move, and it provided us with tools we didn’t know we needed. MTI gave us the confidence to start pitching to investors. It helped us hone our value proposition and showed us ways to create the most value in the shortest amount of time.

“Running a start-up can be lonely and stressful – and it’s difficult to find people who understand what you are trying to do,” Davis adds. “As part of the MTI accelerator, you are surrounded by hundreds of other medical product entrepreneurs and start-up CEOs who are going through or have gone through exactly what you are doing. The resources, weekly expert seminars, networking and peer support is unparalleled.”

Bridging the gap

Bill Perry, a consultant with whom ASPS teamed in its partnership with MTI, says the ideas that plastic surgeons have can reverberate

far beyond the specialty itself. Perry has been involved in medical technology innovation for nearly 30 years, and has taken part in launching 19 medical devices – as well as operating in numerous consulting and incubator innovation roles.

“There is a figurative ‘valley of death’ between ideation and commercialization,” Perry says. “Many great ideas and inventions never cross that valley because the medical inventor doesn’t have a roadmap, the team or bandwidth – or maybe just doesn’t know what to do next.

I believe the partnership between ASPS and MTI – and the plastic surgery track in particular – bridges that gap and will benefit patients, clinicians, healthcare, entrepreneurs, inventors and investors for years to come.”

Dr. Pollack and other ASPS members who have participated in the accelerator are quick to note that the competition is not necessarily for those who are still at the “idea” stage of a potential product. It’s more geared toward startup companies looking for investors. At press time, the deadline for applications to take part in the 2024 competition was slated for the end of January, but ASPS is also ramping-up efforts to help members who want to get their ideas off the page and gain a better understanding of the various steps it takes to cross the “valley of death.”

ASPS past President Lynn Jeffers, MD, MBA, who is also vice chair of the Technology, Innovation, Development and Entrepreneurship (TIDE) Committee, says the benefits of the partnership with MTI reach far beyond those who actually compete in the annual contest.

“Yes, it serves our entrepreneur members,” she says. “However, our members who have been on the other side as judges have also told us their experience has been amazing – getting to be in that ecosystem and gaining exposure to the various steps of the process that’s needed to truly bring an idea to life.

“I think there’s also a chance – and the TIDE Committee certainly wants to see this – that in the future, there could exist members who might not ever start a company but still want to help in this space, maybe as part of an advisory board or something like that,” Dr. Jeffers adds. “We can build an ecosystem to better support members on that front.”

ASPS members who would like to take part in judging candidates for this year’s competition on the plastic surgery track are invited to contact ASPS Staff Vice President of Business Development Jennifer Cross at jcross@plasticsurgery.org or (847) 228-3320 by Feb. 3. The TIDE Committee also launched a specialized website for ASPS members at plasticsurgery.org/tide that is designed to provide an educational clearinghouse for all stages of bringing an idea to life.

“We’ve discovered that we have a very deep bench in plastic surgery with regard to innovation and entrepreneurship,” says TIDE Committee Chair Justin Sacks, MD, MBA. “We’re demonstrating that we, as plastic surgeons, are competing on the biggest stage against innova-

tors across all specialties – and not just competing, but winning. Between the MTI Accelerator program and what ASPS has done with the TIDE Committee, plastic surgeons have these avenues to really reach their potential as innovators or entrepreneurs. It’s incredible to see and we’re all committed to developing it further to allow all plastic surgeons in their practice to take advantage of these opportunities.”

For those at the earlier, idea stage, ASPS also offers a chance to compete at the Innovation Challenge during Plastic Surgery The Meeting.

First place wins a $10,000 prize and second place receives $5,000, and the process includes an initial application process (ideas should be pitched

by May and more information will be available from ASPS and on plasticsurgerythemeeting.com in the coming months) before applicants are invited to complete a full application. The full applications are then evaluated by members of the TIDE Committee and top-scoring applicants are invited to participate live at the annual meeting. The primary requirement is that an ASPS member must be the developer of the product/ innovation or a key member of the development team. If selected by the TIDE Committee, contestants are then assigned a “coach” from the committee to assist them through the process of preparing their presentation at the live event during the meeting.

“When it comes down to actually bringing a product to market, there are so many factors – certification, authorization, government approvals, packaging, design/development, production, commercialization, publicity,” Dr. Pollack says. “How do you get your product into a hospital? How do you get thought leaders to use your product? Taking part in the accelerator is valuable because you can be put in touch with people who know about these different factors and larger companies that are interested in helping out new companies and mentoring.

There are weekly seminars you can attend remotely – unlike a lot of incubators where you have to be onsite six weeks, which is simply not feasible for a practicing plastic surgeon.”

Like the prospects for plastic surgeons’ innovations, Dr. Pollack adds that the networking opportunities also expand far beyond the specialty itself. In the course of last year’s accelerator, 4D-EMR representatives came in contact with representatives from Knowtex, which uses AI to develop automatic visit notes from conversations between doctor and patients.

The meeting spawned a partnership that was formally announced in January to provide tailored EMR solutions for various medical specialties. Dr. Pollack says the partnership will streamline documentation and data retrieval – and reduce the administrative burden on healthcare professionals.

“At the end of the day, I find myself thinking more as a businessperson,” he says. “As a plastic surgeon, that’s not something we’re trained in. But being part of this ecosystem, I feel like I have more business capabilities than I ever thought I could.” PSN January/February 2024

CALENDAR For additional ASPS/PSF meeting information, visit the Meetings & Education page at www.plasticsurgery.org/meetings; e-mail registration@plasticsurgery.org; or call (800) 766-4955 / (847) 228-9900.

Dates, locations and program information are subject to change without notice.

JA NUA RY

Renew your ASPS Membership for 2024!

Benefit highlights: Subscriptions: • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal® (PRS) • Plastic Surgery News® (PSN)

31-Feb. 2

LIMITLESS Leaders Summit Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M. Contact: (847) 228-9900 Web: plasticsurgery.org/limitless Jointly provided by ASPS

FE B RUA RY

15-16

2024 Plastic Surgery Coding Workshop Online Contact: (847) 228-9900 Web: plasticsurgery.org/coding Directly provided by ASPS

APR IL 10-June 5

2024 In-Service Exam For Surgeons

2-4

Women Plastic Surgeons Symposium Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M. Contact: (847) 228-9900 Web: plasticsurgery.org/wps Directly provided by ASPS

8-10

58th Annual Baker Gordon Educational Symposium

Online Contact: (847) 228-9900 Web: plasticsurgery.org Directly provided by ASPS

23-26

XXV Congreso Iberolatinoamericano De Cirugia Plastica FILACP Argentina 2024 Buenos Aires, Argentina Contact: +5493515187076 Web: filacpargentina2024.com

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17-21

BC3 (Breast Cancer Coordinated Care) Meeting

• Inclusion on Find-A-Surgeon feature on PlasticSurgery.org

Waimea, Hawaii Contact: (206) 605-1873 Web: nwsps.org

• Member discounts on educational meetings and symposia

23

• Advocacy that focuses on public and private sector issues, so you can focus on your practice

Milwaukee Contact: (920) 750-7721 Web: wisocietyplasticsurgery.com

Members-only Access:

Northwest Society of Plastic Surgeons 62nd Annual Meeting

PlasticSurgery.org/Dues

26-28

New York Contact: (212) 241-5873 Web: bc3conference.com

Wisconsin Society of Plastic Surgery 2024 Annual Conference

M A RCH 1-3

ASPS Spring Meeting Online Contact: (847) 228-9900 Web: plasticsurgery.org Directly provided by ASPS

7

2024 In-Service Exam For Residents Online Contact: (847) 228-9900 Web: plasticsurgery.org Directly provided by ASPS

7-10

2024 Mountain West Society of Plastic Surgeons 9th Annual Meeting Whistler, British Columbia Contact: (847) 228-9900 Web: mwsps.org Jointly provided by ASPS

CALENDAR

Miami Contact: (305) 854-8828 Web: bakergordonsymposium.com Endorsed by ASPS

• ASPS Education Network (ASPS EdNet)

MAY 2-5

The Aesthetic Meeting 2024

Vancouver, British Columbia Contact: (562) 799-2356 Web: meetings.theaestheticsociety.org

9-11

Euro Micro 2024

Milan, Italy Contact: (004) 722 575 963 Web: euromicro2024.com

9-12

California Society of Plastic Surgeons 74th Annual Meeting Carlsbad, Calif.

Contact: (978) 927-8330 Web: californiaplasticsurgeons.org/meeting

10-11

Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting Chicago Contact: (978) 927-8330 Web: midwesternplasticsurgeons.org

18-21

American Association of Plastic Surgeons 102nd Annual Meeting Boston Contact: (978) 927-8330 Web: aaps1921.org

January/February 2024

21

Top resident abstracts honored at annual meeting

A

n impressive number of scientific papers were submitted for consideration by resident authors from 25 different countries for the 2023 Plastic Surgery The Meeting Resident Abstract sessions. More than 180 resident abstract presentations were accepted, of which the top 50 resident authors were invited to present their research during the live abstract sessions held in Austin on Oct. 27. Highly favorable reviews were received from those who attended the in-person sessions and from the moderators who facilitated the sessions.

The Scientific Program Committee was also pleased to provide the opportunity to authors to submit 5-minute pre-recorded presentation for inclusion in on-demand offerings as part of the Plastic Surgery The Meeting virtual platform.

Moderators were volunteer members representing ACEPS, ASPS and YPS: Aesthetic Session: Malcolm Paul, MD; Jessica Suber, MD MD

Breast Reconstruction Session: Jordan Frey, MD; Nicholas Panetta, MD Aesthetic, Maxillofacial: Sameer Shakir, MD; Raj Vyas, MD Pediatrics, Reconstruction/Burn/Microsurgery Session: Sarah Bishop, MD; Amanda Silva, MD Hand, Research Session: Jeffrey Kozlow, MD; Amber Leis, MD The following were honored as the outstanding resident presentations:

Aesthetic Session

Enhancing Abdominoplasty Outcomes: Indications and Technique of Direct Sub-Scarpal Lipectomy Combined With Liposuction in 200 Abdominoplasty Patients Simon Moradian, MD Northwestern University

Breast Reconstruction Session

The Modified Fragility Index Predicts Major Complications in Oncoplastic Reduction Mammoplasty (OCR) Ciara Brown, MD Emory University

Hand, Research Session

Evaluation of “Spin” in Observational Studies in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review Lucas Gallo, MD McMaster University – Ontario, Canada

Aesthetic, Maxillofacial Session

Long-Term Morbidity of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Adult Craniofacial Trauma Reece Moore, MD Michigan State University

Pediatrics, Reconstruction/Burn/ Microsurgery Session

The Impact of Intraoperative Vasopressor Use on Flap Survival in Traumatic Lower Extremity Reconstruction Elizabeth Boudiab, MD University of Southern California

Outstanding paper and poster presentations of Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2023

T

he following paper and poster presentations received honors during Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2023 in Austin.

Aesthetic

Session 1 Long-Term Maintenance of Nasal Tip Projection and Rotation with the Columellar Strut Graft R’ay Fodor Session 2 Asian Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty Using Medical Image-Based Silicone Implant with 3D Technology Taek Kyun Kim, MD, PhD Session 3 Improving Quality of Life in Postpartum Females by Non-invasive Pelvic Floor and Abdominal HIFEM and Synchronized Radiofrequency Treatments for Strengthening Core Muscles Julene Samuels, MD Session 4 Deep Plane Facelifts Under Tumescent Anesthesia. Review of Last 100 Cases in the Past 2 Years R. Brannon Claytor, MD Session 5 High-Definition Rib (HDR) Body Contouring Surgery: UUAIST and RIBOSS Mauricio Perez, MD Session 6 Would the U.S. Population Share Their Visual Data to Serve the Field of Aesthetic Surgery’s Expectations and Outcomes? A Cross-Sectional Study Maha Alassaf

Breast

Session 4 Alpha Defensin-1 Level Correlates with Peri-Prosthetic Infection Severity Following Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Neel Vishwanath Session 5 Comparative Analysis of Immediate and Late Breast Skin Sensitivity in Patients Undergoing Augmentation Mastoplasty Via Inframammary, Periareolar and Axillary Approaches Ary Marques Neto, MD

Session 5 Demographic Disparities in Surgical Outcomes of Patients with Craniosynostosis Collean Trotter

Session 7 Are Prophylactic Post-Operative Antibiotics Indicated for Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction?: A Randomized-Controlled Pilot Study Merisa Piper, MD

Session 6 A Deeper Understanding of the Subplatysmal Anatomy with Aging: A Longitudinal Imaging Study Sean McCleary, MD, MS

Session 8 A Paired Analysis of Outcomes in Therapeutic versus Prophylactic Breasts Following Bilateral Mastectomy with Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) Flap Reconstruction Marion Tapp, MD Session 9 Autoaugmentation with Own Tissues For Mastopexy and Breast Reduction - A Comprehensive Personal Approach Pawel Szychta, MD, PhD Session 10 A Rapidly Resorbing Biosynthetic Mesh Wrap Significantly Improves Implant Positional Stability Hector Salazar Martinez Session 11 Bilateral LAP Flaps for Breast Reconstruction: A Perforator Classification System Alexis Lakatta

Session 2 What a “Feeling”: The Role of Breast Sensation on Quality of Life After Mastectomy and Alloplastic or Autologous Reconstruction Daniella De Freitas

Craniomaxillofacial

22

Session 4 Histologic Analysis of Cadaveric Costal Cartilage after Implantation for Ear Reconstruction Jose Palacios, BS

Session 6 Soft Tissue Support in Prepectoral Tissue Expander Reconstruction: Do We Need It? Kshipra Hemal, MD

Session 1 Antibiotic-Loaded Polymethylmethacrylate Plates in Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction: A Multi-Institutional Study Priscila Cevallos

Session 3 The Impact of the Schnur Sliding Scale on Adolescents: A Retrospective Cohort Study Jonah Donnenfield

Session 3 Operating in the Fourth Dimension of Time: Incorporating Buccal Fat Pad Flaps Into Infants’ Cleft Palatoplasty Reduces Future Incidence of Skeletal Malocclusion and the Need for Corrective Maxillary Osteotomy Kian Pourak, MA, BS

Session 1 Impact of Dosage Frequency of Propranolol on Sleep Patterns in Patients with Infantile Hemangiomas Jackson Green Session 2 LeFort I Horizontal Osteotomy: Defining the Feasibility of the “High Osteotomy” Alexandra Verzella

Session 7 Propeller Buccal Myomucosal Flap: Anatomical Study and Preliminary Experience in 25 Primary Cleft Palate Reconstructions Anthony Deleonibus, MD Session 8 Barriers To Obtaining Orthodontic Care for Patients with Orofacial Clefts: A Survey of Orthodontists and Families Molly MacIssac Session 9 Oh How Far You’ll Go: A Geospatial Analysis of Travel Burden to Certified Craniofacial Teams in the United States Madyson Brown Session 10 Underdiagnosis of Syndrome of Trephined in Patients Undergoing Cranioplasty Taborah Zaramo Session 11 Development and Validation of a Risk Calculator for the Prediction of Postoperative Diplopia Following Orbital Fracture Repair in Adults Bashar Hassan, MD

Gender Affirmation

Session 1 Maintaining Ethnic Congruence in the Transgender and Gender Diverse Black and African-American Population: An Assessment of Patient-Reported Outcomes and Attitudes Following Rhinoplasty Uchechukwu Amakiri, BS

Session 2 Providing Gender Affirming Care in a Public Health Payer System: A Cost-Utility Analysis of Top Surgery Chantal Valiquette, MD Session 3 Retrospective Analysis of Phalloplasty by a Specialized Transgender Surgery Center Brenna Briles Session 4 The Cost-Effectiveness of Gender Affirming Chest Feminization and Masculinization Brian Conway

Global Partner

Session 1 Development of a Machine Learning-Devised Plasma Extracellular Vesicle Proteomic Signature for Differentiating Primary from Metastatic Melanoma Stephanie Bollard, MD Session 2 Mucosal Rugosity Unfolding Technique for Closure of Anterior Palatal Fistulae Ghulam Qadir Fayyaz, MD

Hand

Session 1 Discrepancies in Dupuytren’s Contracture Progression and Recurrence in those Receiving Collagenase versus Fasciectomy: A 10-Year Review Cyrus Steppe Session 2 Peripheral Nerve Injury as Treatment for Muscle Spasticity: Understanding Mechanisms and Improving Surgical Interventions Zohra Aslami Session 3 (Tie) Autologous Fascia Nerve Wrap as an Adjunct to Primary Epineural Repair Emma Rowley Implications of Prophylactic Fasciotomy Following Upper Extremity Revascularization Diane Jo Session 4 The Impact of Neighborhood Level Disparities on Distal Radius Fracture Follow-up Adherence: A Retrospective Cohort Study Armin Edalatpour, MD

January/February 2024

Session 5 Predicting Personalized Improvement in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Severity Following Intervention Using Artificial Intelligence Moaath Saggaf, MD Session 6 Novel Frost-Bite Proof Cooling Device to Combat Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Proof of Concept Study Chihiro Matsui, MD

Migraine

Session 1 Treatment Delay in Nerve Decompression Surgery Merel Hazewinkel, MD Session 2 The Effect of Local Exosomes, Stem Cells and Tacrolimus on Neurite Extension Sara Saffari, MD, MSc

Plastic Surgery Topics

Session 1 Novel Imaging Techniques of Acellular Dermal Matrices for Reconstruction Annica Stull-Lane Session 2 Genetic Subtypes of Apert Syndrome are Associated with Differences in Airway Morphology and Early Upper Airway Obstruction Lauren Salinero

Practice Management

Session 1 Objective Residency Applicant Assessment Using a Linear Rank Model Ellen Shaffrey, MD Session 2 Defining the Incidence of Imposter Syndrome in Academic Plastic Surgery: A Multi-Institutional Survey Study Amanda Sergesketter, MD Session 3 Beating the Curve Longitudinal Evaluation of Surgeon Proficiency in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction Post-Training Theodore Habarth-Morales Session 4 Yoga and Meditation in Surgery: A Survey-Based Analysis of Wellness Integration for Surgeons with Implications in Improved Physical and Mental Wellbeing as well as Improved Work Efficiency and Decreased Stress Levels Jenna Thuman, MD

Session 5 Unraveling the Knot: Assessing the Role of Targeted Muscle Innervation in Neuroma Prevention and Management in Patients with Osseointegrated Prostheses Anna Vaeth Session 6 Usefulness of Free Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap for Post-Sacrectomy Reconstruction: Comparison with Regional Muscle Flap Dianne Dong Un Lee, MD Session 7 (tie) Determinants of Keloid Recurrence: The Nairobi Keloid Recurrence Scoring System; A Cohort, Prospective Study Ferdinand Wanjala Nangole, MD Coverage of Elbow and Forearm Soft Tissue Defects with the Posterior Ulnar Artery Perforator Flap (PURAP): Anatomical Study and Surgical Description Elise Lupon, MD, MSc Session 8 Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound with Microbubbles Detects More Candidate Lymphatic Vessels for Lymphatico-Venous Anastomoses Compared to Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Lymphography in Patients with Extremity Lymphedema Samyd Bustos, MD Session 9 Alloderm versus Dermacell: A Prospective, Clinical Trial Skylar Harbour

Research & Technology

Session 1 Rat Hindlimb Amputation Model to Assess Nerve Transfers for Pain Relief Jose Zepeda Session 2 Biomarker and Pathological Changes During Skin Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in FlapBased Reconstruction Models Ryan Khalaf Session 3 Persistence of Racial Disparities Amongst Plastic Surgeons: What Are We Missing?

Sarah Gubara

Session 4 Mechanical Stimulation Improves Functional Recovery After Skeletal Muscle Injury in Rats Daniah Alnafisee, MD Session 5 Liposuction for Superficialization of Deep Hemodialysis Vascular Access: A Novel Application Arthur Lanoux-Nguyen, MD Session 6 Fibrin Glue Neurorrhaphy Acutely Blocks Distal Muscle Contraction after Confirmed PEG Nerve Fusion: An In Vivo Rat Study Alex Fisher, MD Session 7 (tie) Circadian Gene Modulating Compounds Prevent Hypertrophic Scarring: In Vivo Study Nathan Sigel Of Rats and Men: Comparing the Effects of Topical Minoxidil, Tacrolimus and Petroleum Jelly on Skin Perfusion in a Rodent Ischemia Model Y-Vu Van, MD Session 8 Establishing Novel Transcriptome-Based Predictive Biomarkers of Skeletal Muscle Injury in the Setting of Ex Vivo Normothermic Limb Perfusion Abigail Meyers, MD Session 9 Using Deep Learning Neural Networks to Improve the Robustness and Efficiency of Abstract Screening in Plastic Surgery Systematic Reviews Moaath Saggaf, MD

Best Posters of PSTM23

Aesthetic Complications of Medical Tourism in Aesthetic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Case Series Taylor Blount

Differential Oxylipin Profile in the Peri-prosthetic Tissue of Breast Implant Illness Patients Imran Khan Mohammed, MD Craniomaxillofacial Examining the Efficacy of Bone-Anchored Maxillary Protraction to Correct Class III Malocclusion in Patients with Clefts: A Case Series Elizabeth Danial Gender Affirmation The Effect of Obesity on Vaginoplasty Outcomes Lauren Berger Hand and Upper Extremity (Tie) Differences in Management of Hand Infections and Associated Outcomes Among People who Inject Drugs at an Urban Safety Net Hospital Matthew Mclaughlin Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Pediatric Metacarpal Fractures Meeti Mehta, BS Migraine and Peripheral Nerve A Comprehensive Review of Occipital Nerve Decompression: An Analysis of Surgical Drain Effectiveness and One-Year Patient-Reported Outcomes Mariam Saad, MD Practice Management/Surgical Pearls An Analysis of Medical Malpractice Litigation Involving Gender Affirmation Surgery Martina Brozynski Reconstructive Monitoring for Breast Cancer Recurrence Following Goldilocks Breast Reconstruction Jennifer Wang Research & Technology Gender Disparities in Plastic Surgery Publication Citations Isra Abdulwadood

Breast (Tie) Development of Opioid Use Disorder Following Breast Reconstructive Surgery: Effects of Nicotine Dependence Destin Groff

Session 5 Breaking the Mold: Composite Diversity Indices as a Novel Tool for Measuring Diversity in Plastic Surgery Residency Programs Elijah Persad-Paisley

Reconstructive

Session 1 A Qualitative Analysis of Advanced Biologic Products in Diabetic Foot Wounds: A Single Institution Study Olatunde Bashorun Session 2 Protecting Your Back and Your Wallet: Decreased Complications and Healthcare Costs Associated with Prophylactic Muscle Flap Coverage after Spinal Fusion Grant Black Session 3 Scar Contracture Recurrence After Axillary Burn Reconstruction: A Retrospective Review of a Single Institution’s 13-Year Experience Hilary Liu Session 4 The Evolution of PROs Following Limb-Salvage vs Amputation: An Analysis of LIMB-Q Data Sabrina Wang, MD January/February January/February2024 2024

More than 100 senior residents participated in the 2023 Senior Residents Conference planned by SRC Co-Chairs Sara Dickie, MD; John Stranix, MD; and Phuong Nguyen, MD. The annual event took place in Austin, Texas, as part of PSTM23. Nearly 190 residents representing 25 different countries submitted their research to the live and on-demand Resident Abstract sessions. The 50 top-rated abstracts were presented in person at the meeting.

23

Legislative Update Continued from page 12

push members of Congress to reintroduce the legislation. ELSA would require all federally regulated group and individual health plans to cover medically necessary items or services to treat congenital anomalies. Patients experience issues with denials for care due to insurance companies deeming treatment – typically later-stage surgeries and ancillary devices such as orthodontia – medically unnecessary and/or cosmetic in nature, requiring families to take on significant financial burden for their child to receive necessary care.

ELSA passed the House of Representatives in April 2022 with a vote of 310-110. That was during the 117th Congress, however, and the legislation has not yet been reintroduced in the 118th Congress, which started in January 2023 and will continue through 2024. Reintroduc-

tion has been delayed due to controversy based on some opponents’ concern that the bill will allow for the coverage of transgender care for minors. The bill is being updated to further clarify that coverage of transgender care was not the intent of the legislation, and ASPS is hopeful that, once updated and reintroduced, it should continue to receive the bipartisan support that advocacy efforts previously had achieved.

Improving timely access to care

Obtaining prior authorization for Medicare Advantage plans continues to be a lengthy and burdensome process, and Summit attendees advocated for legislation and regulatory changes to help mitigate that problem. Office staff typically spend an immense amount of time trying to meet requirements for insurance company approvals, and patients ultimately suffer from this process due to the significant

Dr. Strauch tribute

24

Numbers game

The collective effort of physicians, policymakers and advocates is crucial to creating positive Editor’s Message

Continued from page 8

Dr. Strauch also took great pride in his work with ASPS and The PSF, serving as chair of the Maliniac Lecture Selection Committee for more than 20 years, taking the responsibility of honoring Dr. Maliniac’s wishes to heart.

Dr. Strauch served as the first president of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, president and a founding member of the American Society for Peripheral Nerve, president of the International Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery and president of the New York Society for Surgery of the Hand (NYSSH), for which he and Robert remain the only father/son duo to have served as president of that organization.

NYSSH President Renata Weber, MD, another of Dr. Strauch’s residents, says her time training with Dr. Strauch ultimately steered the direction of her career.

“I was a burn fellow at Jacobi Medical Center, and that’s where I first met Dr. Strauch,” she recalls. “He took me on as a resident and gave me the opportunity to work in the research lab. As a resident, you’re kind of in your own little world and you don’t always see the bigger picture. I remember it wasn’t until I went to my first microsurgery meeting where I was presenting – and he literally knew everybody – that it was this huge eye-opener of who I was training with and just how enormous his impact was upon our specialty.

“He was always a visionary,” Dr. Weber adds. “When I was trying to decide between craniofacial and hand surgery, he was the one who sat me down and said not only that I should go into hand surgery – but specifically nerve surgery, because nerve transfers were the wave of the future. He had this innate ability to know what was on the horizon and go into that. Almost every 10 years, he seemed to reinvent himself on what proved

barriers it creates to their accessing medically necessary care.

To help address this, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3173) would enhance transparency, strengthen accountability and reduce the burdens of prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans by establishing an electronic prior-authorization process, minimizing the use of prior authorization for services that are routinely approved, requiring plans to report on the extent of their prior authorization use and the rate of delays and denials. This should ensure prior authorization requests are reviewed by qualified medical personnel, as well as adherence to evidence-based medicine guidelines.

Dr. Strauch catches rain in the O.R. in the 1960s. to be the next big thing.”

Robert Strauch says having a father who was a pioneer in plastic surgery helped his own medical aspirations, but Dr. Strauch never tried to influence his kids’ career paths.

“He was happy if we were happy,” his son says. “I can remember he had a model of a hand that came apart on his desk at home, and that’s probably what captured my imagination and steered me toward orthopedics.

I’m not as artistic as he was, but it was a treat to be able to discuss cases with him. You know the saying, ‘If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life?’ That was him. He loved going in and he loved doing what he did.”

Dr. Strauch was preceded in death by Rena, his loving wife of 68 years, who passed just eight weeks before her husband. He is survived by his son, Robert (Laura); his daughter, Laurie (David); and his grandchildren, David, Kimberly (Philip), Carolyn (Gabriel), Alexandra, Matthew, Julia and Jason. PSN

changes in the healthcare landscape. The ASPS Advocacy Summit is a critical component in the specialty’s effort to highlight the urgent need for legislative action to address critical healthcare issues. Ultimately, its effectiveness is directly proportional to the number of attendees, the size of our collective voice and the number of meetings we can conduct. We invite and encourage everyone to attend future Advocacy Summits, and we guarantee that doing so will provide you a direct opportunity to assist in defending your practices and ensure your patients continue to have access to care.

For further information on how you can support ASPS’s advocacy efforts, please visit https://plastypac.aristotle.com. PSN Dr. Hill is in private practice in Alpharetta, Ga., and is a member of the PlastyPAC Board of Governors, the ASPS Legislative Advocacy Committee and the YPS Forum.

Social Media Focus

Continued from page 6

Continued from page 13

have merit to many, but it’s also clear from the feedback in the “comments” section that there will always be those that disagree.

Many would think that the disagreement stems from a difference in credentials, rank, specialty, geographic area, practice type or practice location. These are the easy things to point to, but the truth is there is just as much disparity amongst individuals that seemingly have many things in common.

As plastic surgeons, we know that there are many adequate solutions for any given surgical problem. The creativity inherent in our specialty requires us to often look to our previous experiences and successes to determine the solution to any seemingly impossible aesthetic or reconstructive problem. So it would seem for each of us when we think about job satisfaction and job retention. The aspects of our jobs that bring us satisfaction and joy are so unique to each of us as individuals that it would be impossible to identify qualities that will be universally generalizable to all. Even more individualized are the factors that would appeal to us for job retention or recruitment. As we begin a new year of resolutions and self-reflection, I ask each of you to dwell on a quote from the famous Middle Eastern philosopher, Rumi: “If everything around you seems dark, look again.

You may be the light.” PSN

me anything” sessions on Instagram Live can be an effective way to engage with followers.

The live format works best for accounts that already have a following – or you can team up with a colleague and engage both sets of followers during your conversation. These sessions allow you to answer questions in real-time, addressing common concerns or demystifying misconceptions about plastic surgery. They also offer an opportunity to poll your online community and determine what is important to them. Live sessions also create a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging followers to tune-in and participate actively. They also have the benefit of notifying 100 percent of your followers about your session – whereas a post may only be shown to a portion.

Incorporating these types of content into your Instagram strategy can diversify content and engage with a wider audience.

Review your metrics routinely to see which styles have more appeal to your audience and utilize that data to your advantage.

Consistency, authenticity and patient privacy should always be top priorities in your content creation efforts. Authenticity truly resonates with the viewer, particularly plastic surgery and aesthetics, an area in the social media realm that is typically full of smoke and mirrors. By offering a well-rounded mix of educational, personal and interactive content, you can elevate your surgery practice’s online presence, propagate honest information and positively impact your community – all while establishing yourself as a trusted authority in the field. PSN

References 1. Reed H. 4 Benefits That Might Actually Make Clinicians Stay. Doximity Op-Med. doximity.com/newsfeed/02962c07-55164b9f-8885-9db3b25e9800/public Accessed Dec. 27, 2023.

Dr. Hamilton is a member of the Social Media Subcommittee and is in private practice in Houston.

January/February 2024

CLASSIFIEDS

OPPORTUNITIES

Long Island Plastic Surgery Practice For Sale Board certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years’ experience in same location looking to retire. Practice is 100% cosmetic and well established located in beautiful Eastern Long Island.

Practice is located in 3,500 sq. ft. turnkey suite with state-of-the-art medical equipment including 3 lasers. Excellent location to raise a family and less than 2 hours from Manhattan. Owner willing to stay on during transition with option to finance sale. Please email eeprhs@gmail.com.

Palm Beach County, FL Seeking BC/BE plastic surgeon to acquire boutique aesthetic practice with prestigious reputation. Opportunity to join and transition practice. Fully accredited AAAASF surgical suite with overnight facility. Excellent opportunity to assume an established practice.

Located in a desirable area with beautiful beaches and excellent schools. Please send CV to plasticsurgery561@gmail.com.

San Diego, CA Plastic Surgery Practice Available for Purchase Retiring plastic surgeon looking to sell practice.

100% cosmetic. Certified AAAASF O.R. Timing negotiable.

Contact by email only: plastic@pacbell.net For Sale 3000 Sq. Feet Quad AAAA approved elegant facility in premium high traffic NY City location Separate street entrance. Current Rental Income 20,000+.

Please contact John Mitchell. 203-302-3433.

January/February 2024

You Just Found It! Are you looking for the best opportunity to launch your career, and have a great quality of life for you and your family?

Practice Opportunity in New Jersey Plastic Surgery Group (PSG), located in Montclair, N.J., is a busy aesthetic plastic surgery practice operated by ASPS Board certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Allen Rosen and Dr. Valerie Ablaza. We are seeking a full-time board-certified plastic to join our team. We provide state-of-the-art med spa facilities and a JCAHO certified/state licensed ASC. We are looking to add an associate with an interest in aesthetic surgery and breast reconstruction.

Preference is 2-3 years of experience. Highlights include Monday-Friday schedule, a comprehensive compensation package and equity opportunity. For additional information, please contact Nim Routh at nrouth@skinandaesthetic.com.

NW Plastic Surgeon Seeking BC Associate 23-year practice, in a superior quality of life, Sun Valley, ID community. Buy into practice.

Practice includes range of in-office procedures and out-patient cosmetic surgeries. Buy-in finances to be jointly determined. Send letter of interest and CV to motsiarc@aol.com Northern Alabama Practice Take over my healthy small town practice in Alabama. I’ve been solo for 30 years, but the town can support two.

Be willing to do breast reconstructions with the general surgeons. Just lease my furnished 3,000 sqft office next to the hospital, get an EMR and start working. to922@bellsouth.net

Thriving 100% Cosmetic Surgery practice with 30 year regional reputation is looking for aesthetic fellowship trained surgeon, or experienced aesthetic surgeon to join our team. Freedom to grow the niche practice that you desire with overflow of surgical consultations and patient flow from 5 very busy aestheticians. No hospital call or climbing your way up the ladder doing injectables for years while you grow your surgical practice. You deserve to be supported by our experienced clinical and administrative family so you can focus on being your best, and have the time to enjoy your family. Salary guarantee with productivity bonus, full benefits and partnership opportunity in only two years. Our not so senior, not so greedy senior surgeon will treat you like an equal, actually share consults with you, and help you grow your practice. We want future partners, not employees! Complete office renovation and expansion underway to support our rapid growth with the addition of in-house surgical suite. Located in an award-winning suburb with excellent schools, low cost of living, pro sports and busy entertainment and restaurant scene.

So what are you waiting for? Call our director Lisa Greaves, RN at 317-848-5518, or email at lgreaves@myplasticsurgerygroup.com.

Surgical Facility on Park Avenue, New York Elegant and Established Plastic Surgery Practice Seeking Tenant on daily or monthly basis.

AAAASF Certified OR and 3 Exam Rooms .

Clean, Bright and Spacious.

Change your life in the Pacific Northwest Plastic Surgery Bellingham lists for sale its new state of the art Plastic Surgery Clinic and ASC, consisting of a 7600 SF Class A office building with a Medicare certified two room ASC and 5000 SF of Clinic space, including a minor procedure room and aesthetician space. Senior Partner heading toward retirement, and the facility must be sold. Current Practice, due to the limited number of Plastic Surgeons, covers all aspects: Cosmetic, Reconstructive, General Plastics and Hand. All options are possible: Purchase 50% ownership, Buy the whole thing and lease back to the Practice, ownership with rental income, or bring your skills to the community and build the practice you have dreamed of. Space would work well for other specialties looking for combined clinic and ASC space. Bellingham is a coastal town of 90,000+ halfway between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, and offers world class skiing, sailing, mountain biking and hiking in the nearby North Cascades. Stay cool in the Northwest!

For more information, contact: Carrie L. Smith, Business Manager Plastic Surgery Bellingham clsmith@hinet.org 360-676-0972

Call 212-570-6318.

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CLASSIFIEDS

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Opportunity with Partnership Track in New York City and Long Island.

Fast growing, well-established, and innovative practice seeking BE/BC Plastic Surgeon.

• Top Salary • Immediate Bonus • Benefit Package • Personal Coordinator • PA/NP • Devoted Staff • Modern Office • State-of-the-Art Facility Please email your CV to:

drjnikfarjam@gmail.com executivedirector @thenewyouplasticsurgery.com

DM us @drjnikplasticsurgery

Plastic/Reconstructive Opportunity with Partnership Track Long Island & NYC Excellent opportunity with partnership track.

Well-established cosmetic plastic surgery practice with locations in Long Island and Manhattan seeks a plastic/reconstructive board certified/board-eligible surgeon to join our thriving practice.

Modern offices, professional team environment, state-of-the-art and accredited facilities, knowledgeable and professional staff, competitive compensation and benefits.

Greenbergcosmeticsurgery.com

To apply, forward CV to docstg@aol.com or call 516-364-4200

Plastic Surgeon For Long Island/NYC/NJ Private Practice Rowe Plastic Surgery, a well-established private practice with four busy, full-time plastic surgeons, is looking to hire a fifth surgeon for our Long Island and NYC offices. Surgeries take place in LI, NYC and NJ. We currently perform a broad range of reconstructive and cosmetic work, including facial, breast, body and hand surgery, and are willing to expand further to support interests of fifth surgeon. New hire will be busy from day one, with full complement of office and clinical staff. Excellent balance of independent work and co-surgeon practice with strong web and PR support. Accepting BE/BC candidates.

Micro and hand fellowship training a plus.

Danville, CA (SF Bay Area) Plastic surgeon approaching retirement in about 2-3 years, seeking PT/FT associate until I retire.

Purchase my practice upon retirement.

(925) 820-3633 or laveymd@gmail.com

Beverly Hills Seeking BE or BC surgeon to join well established plastic surgery practice in prime Beverly Hills location. 100% cosmetic with strong emphasis on breast surgery.

Seeking Full-Time Plastic Surgeon to Join Breast Surgery Group in NYC Ideal candidate is interested in exclusively performing breast reductions and top surgery for small group practice in NYC specializing in these procedures. Practice is based in Upper East Side of Manhattan, serves many patients identifying as people of color and/or LGBTQ, and takes pride acting as a health advocate for this demographic. Insurance covers most care. Surgery is performed in the office, nearby ASC, or Lenox Hill Hospital. Practice has specialized care protocols that must be followed, including heavy reliance on telemedicine and physician assistants, with strict standards for documentation quality and timeliness. Surgery and patient appointments scheduled Monday to Friday. Call schedule is for covering the practice, no hospital call.

Rapid track to full ownership within three to six months.

Position only available for full-time W2 employee, not part-time independent contractor.

Send CV and contact info to: admin@drhandel.com

Preference given to an individual who can start as soon as possible, the practice will book consultations immediately upon starting. A competitive pay structure, reasonable hours, and routine schedule are offered, allowing for desirable work/life balance. There is no partnership track.

Malpractice insurance is covered. Health insurance and 401k benefits included.

Send CV and cover letter to: mia@roweplasticsurgery.com and rissa@roweplasticsurgery.com

Central Ohio Plastic Surgery Practice Available for Purchase Retiring plastic surgeon looking to sell this practice. 95% cosmetic. Includes numerous lasers for skin resurfacing, tattoo removal and hair removal. Timing negotiable.

Send inquiries to: plasticsurgery@columbus.rr.com

Please email a cover letter and CV to leads@breastsurgerygroup.com. For more information visit breastsurgerygroup.com.

Pinsky Plastic Surgery is seeking an experienced Plastic Surgeon to join our distinguished team.

This is an exciting turnkey opportunity providing all that the beautiful Palm Beaches has to offer. In addition to: •Very competitive salary •Excellent bonus incentive •Full benefits program •Retirement plan •Excellent patient referral platform

•Established practice for over 30 years •Highly skilled support staff offering personalized care •Supported by corporate business expertise and insight

•Luxurious and state of the art office environment

JOIN OUR TEAM The Centre for Plastic Surgery is currently seeking a talented BC/BE plastic surgeon to join our team.

As a long established AAAASF accredited surgical facility in the vibrant community of Grand Rapids, we are a leading, trusted resource for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures in the state of Michigan. This exciting opportunity includes a track towards partnership, valuable guidance from our senior physicians, and teaching opportunities with the Michigan State University Plastic Surgery Residency program.

Scan the code for details or email jennyw@gr-cps.com.

Explore an environment where expertise meets exceptional quality.

I F YO U W O U L D L I K E T O L E A R N M O R E Please email your CV to Barbara Shannon, bshannon@aquadermatology.com or 954-232-1769

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January/February 2024

CLASSIFIEDS NY Metro Area Plastic Surgery Busy practice seeks a board eligible/certified plastic surgeon to join our current team. Looking to add an associate with interest in microsurgical breast reconstruction. Microsurgery fellowship is not required. We enjoy a vibrant cosmetic practice with an AAAASF certified surgical suite and a strong referral base for breast reconstruction and general reconstruction from neighboring community hospitals. Desirable practice location an hour away from Manhattan nestled on the shoreline with beautiful beaches as well as excellent schools.

Long Island, New York We are looking for an associate BE/BS fellowship trained Plastic Surgeon to join a diverse growing practice offering a unique partnership track opportunity.

Please send CV to PlasticSurgeonCV@gmail.com.

The practice location is within reach of New York City as well as the Hamptons, Fire Island and the “Gold Coast” of long Island allowing a balance of work / life experience.

Newport Beach (The OC, California) We are a leading plastic surgery center in Newport Beach, California, offering a wide range of 100% cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures for the face, body, and skin. This is a boutique practice. We are looking for a talented plastic surgeon who has completed an aesthetic fellowship, or is experienced in aesthetic surgery, to join our team and provide high-quality care to our patients. This is a partnership tract. Our expanding practice has a beautiful state of the art Medspa with a full array of energy devices and experienced staff of NP, Nurses, and aestheticians. We have a well-trained and knowledgeable support staff including patient consultants and a director of marketing.

We offer a competitive salary, with benefits, and a bonus plan.

Only candidates who desire to live in sunny Southern California and become a partner in our awesome practice should apply.

Send your C.V. and cover letter to: Kara@imagedr.com

Exposure to hand, craniofacial trauma as well as reconstructive breast and cosmetic surgery capabilities available to build a diverse practice.

Offices available in Nassau and Suffolk counties..

Practice offers a fully accredited operative suite with overnight capabilities.

Immediate placement available.

Please forward resume and inquiries to: mdplcmnt@gmail.com Hinsdale, Illinois Plastic Surgery Practice For Sale Wonderful opportunity for a BC/BE plastic surgeon looking to practice in the affluent neighborhood of Hinsdale, Illinois, 25 minutes outside of downtown Chicago.

Established 90% cosmetic 10% reconstructive practice of 20+ years for sale. Retiring plastic surgeon looking for BC/BE plastic surgeon to take over this established practice. Financing available for the $50K price.

West suburban Chicagoland area has top schools and hospitals. Only 5 miles to local malls, restaurants and entertainment and 15 miles to downtown Chicago.

Send inquiries to aprs@sbcglobal.net.

Acquisition Opportunity of a Renowned Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Practice Cleveland, Ohio Single provider plastic surgery and aesthetic practice located in suburban Cleveland is actively seeking a buyer. Practice is 100% cosmetic.

Physician owner is willing to continue working in support of transition prior to retiring for a negotiated time period.

The practice has a stable financial history and a single suite fully accredited QUAD A class C surgical suite.

The practice is in a desirable metropolitan Cleveland suburb with an upscale demographic.

Interested parties please contact: Plastydoc007@gmail.com Associate Aesthetic Surgeon Needed in Paradise We are seeking a skilled and talented plastic surgeon to join our team in beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii! We perform the full range of plastic surgery procedures in our fully equipped, accredited operative suites. Our practice is essentially 100% cosmetic and we do not accept insurance.

Located in the heart of Honolulu, we are a comprehensive Aesthetic Medicine practice that includes a full medispa, a nurse injector team and multiple operating rooms.

Who you are: • Board Eligible/Board Certified and have 2+ years of experience in Aesthetic Surgery.

Aesthetic Fellowship helpful, but direct clinical surgical experience is more important and needed for this position.

• Excellent bedside manner – non-judgmental, team-oriented, great active listener, excellent work ethic, impeccable character, humble, and interested in constructive feedback and personal development.

• Passion for aesthetic surgery coupled with superlative surgical skill This is a full-time position offering a competitive salary with productivity bonuses, PTO, malpractice insurance and health insurance.

There are no on call requirements. The appropriate associate will be considered for a partnership track in the practice. Please email your CV and cover letter to Executive Director at contact@drshimching.com.

Beverly Hills Well-established plastic surgery practice in Beverly Hills is seeking a full-time plastic surgery associate to join our thriving practice for both 2024 & 2025.

Hiring package ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Competitive Salary Moving bonus Performance Incentives Health insurance, Vision, Dental 401k plan Potential future partnership opportunity Sponsored Equinox membership

What we are looking for ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Board Certified or Board Eligible Plastic Surgeon Aesthetic surgery focused Prioritizes patient outcomes and experience Desire to work with a great team Excellent communication and surgical skills Experience in reconstructive and cosmetic procedures Experience in general and local anesthesia procedures Excellent bedside manner to build strong bonds with patients

About us ● ● ● ● ●

State-of-the-art ambulatory center Modern facilities Professional team environment Competitive compensation Onsite wellness suite with massage chair, Peloton, treadmill, library, kitchen, and meditation room

Contact: careers@barrettplasticsurgery.com

Southern New Mexico Seeking BC/BE plastic surgeon to join a well-established plastic surgeon with 20 years of experience. Practice is 100% cosmetic with opportunity to do reconstructive surgery if desired. No ER call. Fully accredited AAAASF surgical suite and one more being added this year.

Extremely competitive salary with excellent benefits.

Plastic Surgery Opportunity – 100% Aesthetic Practice – Miami • Established over 25 years ago • Turnkey for BC/BE plastic surgeon looking for a beautiful office space to share with a well established board certified plastic surgeon in South Miami • Possibility of purchasing the practice within 1 to 2 years while receiving referrals from practice prior to the potential sale • Current practitioner will aid in transition • Adjacent to AAAASF three operating room office based surgical facility

January/February 2024

CV

Our integrated plastic surgery residency provides opportunity for teaching, research, and program development. Geisinger has an established reconstructive and cosmetic referral base which is geared to building a thriving practice. We are supported by an excellent team of physician assistants, nurses, and staff. We also collaborate closely with multiple disciplines throughout the system.

For those candidates interested in cleft care, there is an opportunity to lead our accredited cleft program. We are looking for highly motivated, exceptional plastic surgeons who love the breadth of plastic surgery and want to be an integral part of this team and continue Geisinger’s tradition of innovation and excellent patient care.

If you want to learn more about these opportunities, we would love to speak with you. Please reach out to Christian Kauffman, MD, Chair Plastic Surgery c/o Sarah Lipka, Physician Recruiter, at slipka1@geisinger.edu Plastic Surgeon Opportunity in Highly Desirable Southwest Florida Established and growing Plastic Surgery practice in a beautiful and affluent Southwest Florida coastal community seeking BC/BE plastic surgeon. Well-appointed office with experienced staff, AAAASF surgical suite and medspa.

Great work environment with diverse practice mix and the opportunity to rapidly focus on cosmetic surgery. Competitive salary with benefits and bonus structure leading to partnership. Ideal for residents and fellows in the upcoming graduation cycle. Please send CV to drpgardner@yahoo.com.

Green Bay Plastic Surgical Associates – Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Green Bay, WI Best of both worlds! Enjoy the autonomy of independent practice with excellent income potential and minimal buy-in, AND a built-in referral base, payor contracting and employee benefits purchasing through participation in the Bellin Health Partners ACO, a nationally recognized leader in value-based care.

Present Focus: Facial rejuvenation, cosmetic breast surgery and body contouring with special emphasis on breast reconstruction and skin cancer treatment. Ability to develop your practice as you wish: entrepreneurial cosmetic opportunity versus hospital system “worker bee.”

Call Coverage: Call very favorable to lifestyle; no hand call. Physician Owned Surgical Center AAAHC accredited, dedicated to plastic surgery and owned by the group.

Live in world famous Titletown with easy access to nearby Door County, outdoor recreation and affordable housing. Please email CV and cover letter to: tblom@gbpsa.com

Contact: bookkeeper@drscotmartin.com

• Email inquiries and 7190sunset.doc@gmail.com

Geisinger, Northeastern PA Geisinger is seeking plastic surgeons to join our team in central or northeastern Pennsylvania.

Services include general plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, microsurgical and implant-based breast reconstruction, maxillofacial trauma, cancer/trauma reconstruction, and cleft/craniofacial care.

to:

Northern Delaware/Southern NJ Hand Fellowship Trained Plastic Surgeon Position Join a thriving, well-established plastic surgery practice with two partners and an associate based in northern DE/southern NJ. Our group is assuming a senior plastic surgeon’s practice in the northern DE area--an excellent environment to raise a family. The practice has a large hand surgery component at two hospitals (one level one center). The experienced practice manager is continuing with the practice. Very competitive salary and benefits with attainable bonus structure and partnership tract offered. Please contact Sean Bidic, MD with inquiries (sean@bidic.org).

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CLASSIFIEDS

100% Aesthetic Practice in Dallas

Signing bonus, large guaranteed salary and the ability to make huge bonuses with proven track record of success for young surgeons.

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100% aesthetic practice

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No insurance accepted

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No ER call, no nights, no weekends

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Dedicated 6 OR AAAASF accredited surgery center

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4 full-time anesthesia providers

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5 medical spas

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Technology focused practice with 3-dimensional imaging, HIPPA compliant texting apps,

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state-of-the-art lasers and body contouring equipment

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Large dedicated social media team

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Personal patient care consultant for each surgeon

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4 weeks paid vacation

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Additional paid time off for meetings

If you dream of being a successful aesthetic plastic surgeon, we can make it happen! Please email CV to sandy@northtexasps.com. To learn more about our practice, please check out our website www.northtexasplasticsurgery.com.

Plastic Surgeon/Hand Surgeon at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J. Date available: Immediately Job Description: The Division of Plastic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Cooper University Hospital is recruiting for a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Surgery or above. Qualified candidates should possess or be eligible for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and should have completed a Hand Fellowship and be eligible for CAQH certification. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in hand surgery, teaching and clinical research. The selected candidate will provide hand surgery services as part of a collaborative multi-disciplinary team that includes members of the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. The selected candidate will also function as a member of the teaching faculty at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University training residents in the Cooper Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency program as well as teaching medical students and rotating surgery residents.

SEEKING A PLASTIC SURGEON TO JOIN OUR PRIVATE PRACTICE! New York Plastic Surgical Group (NYPS Group) is the nation’s largest private academic plastic surgery practice serving Long Island and the New York metro area.

Established in 1948, NYPS Group has treated over a half a million patients and in addition, developed many of the region’s specialty centers including hand surgery, microsurgery, burn surgery, wound care, facial reanimation, peripheral nerve reconstruction, and cleft lip and palate care.

The practice has directed and continues to contribute to resident education since 1954. NYPS Group is committed to both Independent and Integrated ACGME accredited plastic surgery residency programs. Our 22 plastic surgeons practice out of 11 affiliated offices, ambulatory surgery centers, and 20+ hospitals.

We are looking for an additional Board Certified/Board Eligible Plastic Surgeon that is fellowship trained to join this private academic practice. This position would have the full support of NYPS Group to build a practice that suits the surgeon’s interest whether it be cosmetic, reconstructive, hand, craniofacial, transgender, etc.

Our practice offers a full comprehensive benefit program and a competitive salary.

Long Island has a strong economy, excellent school systems with easy access to New York City and diverse attractions from the famed beaches of the Hamptons, Fire Island and Jones Beach to historic Gold Coast Mansions, award-winning vineyards, and eclectic dining.

Learn more about us at nyplasticsurgical.com. If interested, please email resume/CV to Gary Blank, DPM, MBA at gblank@nyplasticsurgical.com

Plastic Surgeon/Microsurgeon at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J. Job Description: The Division of Plastic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Cooper Univer-sity Hospital is recruiting for a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Surgery or above. Qualified candidates should possess or be eligible for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in reconstructive mi-crosurgery and have completed a microsurgery fellowship. The selected candidate will provide general plastic surgery services and also comprehensive breast, head and neck and extremity reconstructive services as part of multi-disciplinary teams working at the Cooper University Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. The selected candidate will also function as a member of the teaching faculty at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University training residents in the Cooper Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency program as well as teaching medical students and rotating surgery residents and engaging in clinical research.

Cooper University Hospital, the clinical campus of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, is the leading provider of health services to Southern New Jersey. Cooper’s main hospital is lo-cated in Camden, NJ, right across the river from Philadelphia. Cooper also has satellite offices in the surrounding suburbs, including Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Voorhees and Washington Township with a surgery center based in Voorhees.

Cooper University Hospital, the clinical campus of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, is the leading provider of health services to Southern New Jersey. Cooper’s main hospital is located in Camden, NJ, right across the river from Philadelphia. Cooper also has satellite offices in the surrounding suburbs, including Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Voorhees and Washington Township with a surgery center based in Voorhees.

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper supports nearly 125,000 patient visits annually treating all types of oncologic diseases. Today, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is one of the leading cancer centers in the region. In a state-of-the-art facility, over 400 clinicians, nurses, therapists, and technicians provide clinical excellence, compassionate care, and a collaborative, disease-site-specific approach to fighting cancer.

The Division of Plastic Surgery at Cooper University Hospital is an expanding program with 7 surgeons who function in a team-based atmosphere. The Division of Plastic Surgery is committed to the recruitment of a diverse group of physicians and all candidates, regardless of race, gender, color, or creed are encouraged to apply for this position. This is an outstanding and unique opportunity for a young plastic surgeon to establish and grow an academic practice and be part of a very strong and growing residency program.

The Division of Plastic Surgery at Cooper University Hospital is an expanding program with 7 surgeons who function in a team-based atmosphere.

The Division of Plastic Surgery is committed to the recruitment of a diverse group of physicians and all candidates, regardless of race, gender, color, or creed are encouraged to apply for this position.

Academic appointment and compensation commensurate with training and experience.

This is an outstanding and unique opportunity for either a young plastic surgeon or a surgeon with practice experience to establish and grow an academic practice and be part of a very strong and growing residency program.

Contact: Interested candidates please send your CV and cover letter to:

Academic appointment and compensation commensurate with training and experience.

Steven Bonawitz, MD, FACS Division Chief of Plastic Surgery Cooper University Hospital 3 Cooper Plaza Suite 411 Camden, NJ 08103 Bonawitz-Steven@CooperHealth.edu

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Contact: Interested candidates please send your CV and cover letter to: Steven Bonawitz, MD, FACS Division Chief of Plastic Surgery Cooper University Hospital 3 Cooper Plaza Suite 411 Camden, NJ 08103 Bonawitz-Steven@CooperHealth.edu

January/February 2024

CLASSIFIEDS Plastic Surgery Opportunity The Parker Center for Plastic Surgery is currently searching for a board eligible/ board certified plastic surgeon to join our team. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional outcomes and ensuring an excellent patient experience. The ideal candidate will possess a strong passion for aesthetic surgery and have a desire to be a part of our prestigious solo practice. Our well-located, attractive office building in Paramus, NJ, houses our plastic surgery offices, integrated full-service med spa, and state-of-the-art AAAASF certified, state-licensed ASC. This is a full-time position offering a competitive compensation package, with the potential for equity partnership, in the highly desirable Bergen County, located just 20 miles from NYC. Send updated CV with inquiries to angela@parkercenter.net.

TRAINING MGH/Harvard Reconstructive/Aesthetic Breast Surgery Fellowship Reconstructive/Aesthetic Breast Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), a Harvard teaching hospital, beginning August 1, 2024 (12 months). High volume experience in all areas of aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Emphasis on microsurgery and cutting-edge prosthetic techniques. Opportunities to participate in other areas of clinical interest, research, and teaching. Must have completed plastic surgery residency.

Forward CV to: Dr. William G. Austen, Jr. 55 Fruit Street, WACC435 Boston, MA 02114 Fax: 617-643-5967 Email: sderrico@mgb.org MGH/Harvard Adult Reconstructive and Aesthetic Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Fellowship Adu lt Re const r uc t ive/Aest het ic Craniomaxillofacial Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), a Harvard teaching hospital, beginning August 1, 2024 (12 months). High volume experience in all areas of reconstructive and aesthetic craniomaxillofacial surgery. Emphasis on primary and secondary post-traumatic reconstruction as well as aesthetic facial skeletal contouring. Opportunities to participate in other areas of clinical interest, research, and teaching. Must have completed plastic surgery residency.

Forward CV to: Dr. Branko Bojovic 55 Fruit Street, WACC435 Boston, MA 02114.

Fax: 617-643-5967.

Email: sderrico@mgb.org MGH/Harvard Advanced Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery Fellowship Reconstructive Fellowship offered at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), a Harvard teaching hospital, beginning August 1, 2024 (12 months). High volume experience in all areas of peripheral nerve surgery and microsurgery applied to complex and challenging reconstructive care spanning “head to toe” traumatic and oncologic defect restoration. Emphasis on advanced microsurgical techniques and innovations within this rapidly evolving field including clinical and translational research projects and international visiting scholar travel program for select individuals. Opportunities to participate in other areas of clinical interest, research, and teaching is heavily emphasized and supported.

Must have completed a plastic surgery, orthopaedic, and/or neurosurgery residency.

January/February 2024

Forward CV to: Dr. Ian Valerio 55 Fruit Street, WACC435 Boston, MA 02114 Fax: 617-726-1812 Email: jldaddario@mgh.harvard.edu MGH/Harvard Reconstructive/Aesthetic Breast Surgery Fellowship Reconstructive/Aesthetic Breast Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), a Harvard teaching hospital, beginning August 1, 2025 (12 months). High volume experience in all areas of aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Emphasis on microsurgery and cutting-edge prosthetic techniques. Opportunities to participate in other areas of clinical interest, research, and teaching. Must have completed plastic surgery residency.

Forward CV to:

MGH/Harvard Advanced Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery Fellowship Reconstructive Fellowship offered at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), a Harvard teaching hospital, beginning August 1, 2025 (12 months). High volume experience in all areas of peripheral nerve surgery and microsurgery applied to complex and challenging reconstructive care spanning “head to toe” traumatic and oncologic defect restoration. Emphasis on advanced microsurgical techniques and innovations within this rapidly evolving field including clinical and translational research projects and international visiting scholar travel program for select individuals. Opportunities to participate in other areas of clinical interest, research, and teaching is heavily emphasized and supported.

Must have completed a plastic surgery, orthopaedic, and/or neurosurgery residency.

Aesthetic Fellowship in Texas North Texas Plastic Surgery is proud to offer an aesthetic fellowship under the direction of senior partner, Dr. Sacha Obaid. Very competitive salary and benefits are provided. The fellow will have the ability to assist in over 1,000 cosmetic cases per year with a heavy emphasis on breast, butt, and body contouring.

Forward CV to:

Fellowship opportunities are available to begin July 2024, deadline is January 1, 2024. For more information, please contact Sandy at sandy@northtexasps.com or check out our website, northtexasplasticsurgery.com.

Dr. Ian Valerio 55 Fruit Street, WACC435 Boston, MA 02114 Fax: 617-726-1812 Email: jldaddario@mgh.harvard.edu

Dr. William G. Austen, Jr. 55 Fruit Street, WACC435 Boston, MA 02114.

Fax: 617-643-5967.

Email: sderrico@mgb.org MGH/Harvard Adult Reconstructive and Aesthetic Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Fellowship Adult Reconstr uctive/Aesthetic Craniomaxillofacial Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA), a Harvard teaching hospital, beginning August 1, 2025 (12 months). High volume experience in all areas of reconstructive and aesthetic craniomaxillofacial surgery. Emphasis on primary and secondary post-traumatic reconstruction as well as aesthetic facial skeletal contouring. Opportunities to participate in other areas of clinical interest, research, and teaching. Must have completed plastic surgery residency.

Forward CV to: Dr. Branko Bojovic 55 Fruit Street, WACC435 Boston, MA 02114 Fax: 617-643-5967 Email: sderrico@mgb.org

MD Anderson Microsurgery Fellowship Clinical Fellowship positions are available beginning 7/1/2024 at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in oncology-related reconstruction and microsurgery. A wide variety of complex reconstructive procedures are performed each year with a high volume of microvascular cases, especially autologous breast, complex head and neck, lymphatic, and perforator flap reconstructions.

Opportunities are available to participate in microsurgery laboratory training and established basic science and clinical research projects.

Fellowship duration: 12 months. Please send letter of intent and CV to: Matthew M. Hanasono, MD Director, Microsurgery Fellowship Program Department of Plastic Surgery, Unit 1488 MD Anderson Cancer Center 1400 Pressler Houston, Texas 77030 (713) 794-1247 mhanasono@mdanderson.org

In addition, graduated independent operating responsibility will be given to the fellow, and a “fellow clinic” will be established with the expectation that the fellow will independently book a large volume of cases. In addition to the operative experience, the fellow will be involved in a thriving med spa featuring topical skin care, injectables, non-ablative skin treatments and non-invasive body contouring. Applicants must have, or obtain prior to commencement, a Texas medical license, hospital privileges, and be BC/BE in plastic surgery.

MISCELLANEOUS Plastic Surgery Biller Specializing exclusively in Plastic Surgery billing with over 25 years experience. We check for correct coding for maximum reimbursement, and review each claim before submission. Once the claims are submitted, we follow closely and appeal when necessary. We work remotely, off-site with excellent references. Call Ana at (239) 541-9993.

Classified Ad Policy

Rates for printed classified ads are based on word count and must be paid prior to publication. Logos, boxes and color enhancements can be designed for additional fee. The editors do not investigate positions of employment and assume no responsibility for them. ASPS reserves the right to accept, reject or cancel any advertisements in its sole discretion.

To place a classified ad, contact: Jeanne Embrey Advertising Coordinator jembrey@plasticsurgery.org

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29

SURGEON SPOTLIGHT Editor’s note: The bulk of PSN’s pages are devoted to specific elements of our mission statement – to keep members informed of the social, political and economic trends and educational opportunities that affect the specialty of plastic surgery.

EARLY MORNINGS ON THE FARM AND THEN IN THE O.R.

T

hose who knew Thomas Hubbard, MD, as a boy probably never foresaw a day when he would transition to running a plastic surgery practice in Virginia Beach, Va. Dr. Hubbard grew up on a farm in central Illinois, working with his dad and brothers tending horses, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. There was corn and hay to plant, pick or bail; fences to build or repair; and endless issues like a broken-down tractor or a frozen water tank. Work consumed every weekend, and summers were full-time – with $1.50 an hour payment. Dr. Hubbard, along with his siblings, competed in horse shows around Illinois and Indiana.

PSN is pleased to take liberties with the “social” aspect of its mission statement by presenting a good-natured look at the lives of notable members who we believe are making significant contributions to the specialty.

In this issue, we present ASPS member Nicole Sommer, MD, Springfield, Ill., professor; director of the Residency Program; and director of the Cosmetic Center; at the SIU School of Medicine Institute for Plastic Surgery. Dr. Sommer is chair of both the ASPS Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Visiting Professors Subcommittee, in addition to serving on the ASPS Coding and Payment Policy, and Continuing Education committees, as well as the Wellness Subcommittee. She has served on several other Society groups and panels over the last two decades. Dr. Sommer took a break from concocting her yearly batch of addictive holiday treats to answer the following questions for PSN: The best thing about being a plastic surgeon is... The challenge, creativity and diversity that comes along with taking care of patients.

The worst thing about being a plastic surgeon is... Counseling patients who’ve gathered all their incorrect plastic surgery knowledge from social media or a misinformed family member, friend, hairdresser, etc.

His father eventually became consumed by breeding and running thoroughbreds. There were four to six colts born each year – and Dr. Hubbard most often was the first to begin training them. That meant more stalls to clean, as well as exercising them and delivering them to tracks in St. Louis and Chicago. Dr. Hubbard recalls the transition from sitting in a Western saddle to standing over something more skimpy. “Once I was galloping a 3-year-old with a hired man when, suddenly, a pack of dogs ran out of a hedgerow along our track. Both horses suddenly bolted left into a bean field – I stayed on my horse somehow but the other took a more drastic change in direction and my buddy went from standing high on stirrups to running on the ground. That’s almost impossible. I was a good rider but never that good.”

If I had to start my career over, I would... Hit repeat. I’m so thankful to be able to do what I love every day.

During the shutdown, something I worked on outside of medicine was... Catching up on my leisure reading. I was so focused on medical reading during training that my reading for fun dropped off precipitously. Historical and contemporary fiction, autobiographies and selfhelp are my favorites.

During Dr. Hubbard’s teenage years, his uncle bought an active 1,000-head cattle ranch bordering Yellowstone Park in Montana. “I realized in my first trip out that I really didn’t know the meaning of fun on a horse until I was herding cows in the Montana mountains,” he says. “I worked but it was mostly just fun and adventure. A tradition began first with buddies Dr. Hubbard, age 18, carries a lost calf near his from high school, and then college and medical family’s farm outside Decatur, Ill., in 1974. school to meet out there for backpacking into Yellowstone for four days and then come back and brand calves for two days. It wore us out throwing calves but amazing to see the old tradition. Neighbors would come to help. It was amazing to see a teenage boy throw a rope over his shoulder and get both the calf’s back legs – and then over a big lunch watch him do rope tricks and walk on his hands. Some other neighbor boys said they roped a bear. From what I saw, I just might believe it. After that, I just had to learn to rope off a horse. My dad got me a goat to practice on back home; it was a little ugly at first, but I roped my own horse. I had eight brothers and sisters and some of them ‘got roped’ into getting roped.”

My all-time favorite movie is... The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It’s an uplifting family favorite that we watch every year together. It’s also a reminder that an ordinary life can be extraordinary, and that happiness is a choice of attitude.

He recalls the 1970s in that area of Montana mountains as “a utopia with fewer grizzlies than now and wolves not yet introduced. Way up high we’d see hundreds of elk and so many shed antlers you couldn’t begin to carry out that many.”

The worst thing I ever purchased for my office was... “A certain hyaluronic filler.” Three of four patients developed granulomas. Needless to say, the remainder of the batch went in the garbage.

Dr. Hubbard says he’s glad for all the experience of his youth. “I’ve always worked hard; I like to solve problems and fix things, especially outside. While I love plastic surgery, if I could lead two lives, I’d also be out in the country all day with my farm toys and animals.” PSN

The first website I check each morning is... My work email, so I can deal with any pressing issues before the day starts.

Nicole Sommer, MD

The last book I read was... When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Mate, a retired family practice/palliative care physician. It’s the explanation of the relationship between stress and disease, the mind-body link.

The single greatest influence on my decision to become a plastic surgeon was... My experience with plastic surgery in medical school. With a plastic surgeon father, Elvin Zook, MD, I knew what plastic surgery was about, but it wasn’t until my rotation that I realized it was the only thing I wanted to do. Once one of the female faculty, Beth Bergman, MD, reassured me that I could have a family and an active life along with being a plastic surgeon, I was all in! (Editor’s note: Elvin Zook, MD, served as 1994 ASPRS president.)

I cannot operate without my... Marking pen and stapler for all the intraoperative tailoring that’s necessary in breast surgery.

10 YEARS AGO IN PSN With ASPS leadership taking more notice of limited domestic growth potential as a result of the Society’s robust efforts to capture U.S. board-certified plastic surgeon membership, a more concerted effort begins to focus on boosting international membership and fortifying relationships with plastic surgeons around the world. By expanding international outreach, Society leadership takes a more focused look at the specialty on a global level, which is discussed in the January/February 2014 issue of PSN: “A professional association satisfied with the status quo is one that risks irrelevancy in the eyes of its membership, and extinction as an entity... Some of our members may be surprised that we share scope-of-practice concerns with our partners worldwide. As a result, we learn from one another – which response works, which doesn’t. This helps each of us move along and grow.”

– 2014 ASPS President Robert X. Murphy Jr., MD Allentown, Pa. PSN

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The best vacation I ever took was... A “plan it as you go” family trip to see Glacier, Yellowstone and the Tetons – where all we had were plane tickets, a rental car and a self-made map.

The best best part of next weekend will be... Having all my kids home to celebrate the holidays.

The best dish I cook is... My holiday treat labeled “Christmas crack” by my friends because of its addicting nature. Once you start munching it, you can’t stop – which is why it’s only made once a year.

I seriously collect... I’m not much of a collector, but as a cyclist, I do own quite a few bicycles – mountain, gravel, road, tri and cruiser.

Dr. Sommer’s husband, Eric (left), their daughter, Nola, their sons, Ethan and Cort, and Dr. Sommer take in the remarkable vista of central Idaho last summer.

The best thing a grateful patient ever gave me was... A week-long stay at her house in Puerto Vallarta.

The words I try to live by are... “We only have one body, so treat it well.” We beat ourselves up on a daily basis in the O.R., so it’s important to spend your money and time on reversing the damage. PSN

January/February 2024

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