RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS FORUM
Welcome to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Residents and Fellows,
Welcome to the Residents and Fellows Forum of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons! Whether you are beginning your journey in plastic surgery or in your final year of training, this is an exciting time in your career. Participating in the ASPS Residents and Fellows Forum will provide access to invaluable experiences and opportunities as you take the next steps to becoming board-certified in plastic surgery and an ASPS member.
In my path to becoming a plastic surgeon, I earned my undergraduate degree with honors at Princeton University and a combined MD and MPH at Tufts University School of Medicine. I completed a general surgery residency at the George Washington University School of Medicine and my plastic surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine’s Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery. I formalized my passion for practice management innovation with an MBA from Brandeis University.
Today, I am the founder and managing director of Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery, a Houston-based independent private practice specializing in aesthetic plastic surgery of the face, breast and body. As president of ASPS, I will continue to uphold the highest standards in education, ethics, training, research and innovation while advancing public awareness of the vital importance and value of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery performed by board-certified plastic surgeons.
Being a member of the world’s largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons has been immensely beneficial to me personally and professionally throughout my career. ASPS has provided opportunities to become involved in many aspects of the specialty over the years, including health policy and advocacy, governance, membership, practice management and education.
It is a tremendous honor to serve as ASPS president and represent more than 11,000 members worldwide. My involvement in the Society has enriched my career and introduced me to colleagues from across the United States and around the world. Membership in ASPS can lead to amazing opportunities, experiences and friendships. I hope you’ll take advantage of the many benefits our national Society has to offer.
Being a plastic surgeon during this era of rapid innovation is amazing. Looking ahead to the next chapter for both plastic surgery and ASPS, our foundational commitment to improving patient outcomes by member surgeons around the globe remains as vital as ever, and the tools we have at our disposal to treat our patients continue to expand. Plastic surgery is a small specialty with boundless potential. We find strength in numbers as members of ASPS, and we are in the unique position to make a meaningful, long-lasting impact on the lives of our patients and the future of the specialty.
It’s tremendously beneficial to become involved in organized plastic surgery early, so congratulations on taking this first step. You are the future of this great specialty and our Society. Thank you for your commitment, and welcome to ASPS. We are plastic surgery!
Sincerely,
C. Bob Basu, MD, MBA, MPH, FACS ASPS President
Dear Plastic Surgery Residents and Fellows,
Hello and welcome to the Residents and Fellows Forum of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons!
Whether you are in your first year of training, or finishing up fellowship, I invite you to get involved with ASPS as I believe you will find contributing to the Society to be a rewarding experience.
Mentorship opportunities await, both through involvement in the Society’s committees and special interest groups, as well as participation in programs such as PROPEL (Professional Resource Opportunities in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Education and Leadership). You can also apply to sit on the Residents Council, which is open to resident representatives from every program in the United States and Canada.
You will also find many educational resources within the Resident Education Center (REC), which span all topics within plastic surgery and include instructional videos along with presentations from leaders in the field. Additional educational opportunities exist through the annual Senior Residents Conference (learn what to expect after training ends), Oral Board Preparation course and Resident abstracts at the annual Plastic Surgery The Meeting (PSTM).
Additional benefits of the Residents and Fellows Forum include subscriptions to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Plastic Surgery News – as well as discounts for educational symposia including Plastic Surgery The Meeting and grant opportunities through The Plastic Surgery Foundation.
Let us help you get your career off to a great start! We invite you to be a leader in plastic surgery and look forward to the innovations and accomplishments you will undoubtedly bring to our field. Let us know how we can help, and let’s do this together!
Sincerely,
Armin Edalatpour, MD Residents Council Chair
YOUR CAREER IN PLASTIC SURGERY STARTS WITH ASPS
ASPS members represent the best and brightest minds in the specialty, committed to rigorous standards to maintain excellence in medical and ethical conduct. ASPS works tirelessly to position our members for success in a highly competitive environment, and we welcome board-certified plastic surgeons, residents, Fellows, associates and international plastic surgeons who seek to advance the science of the specialty.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/Join.
“Collaborating with current and future leaders in the field of Residents Council has contributed mightily to my academic and
ASPS RESIDENTS & FELLOWS FORUM MEMBER BENEFITS – WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
On behalf of nearly 12,000 members worldwide, congratulations on joining the ASPS Residents and Fellows Forum, which is designed to provide you with educational tools and networking opportunities to jump-start your career as a plastic surgeon. Your Residents and Fellows Forum membership includes:
• Access to the ASPS Education Network (ASPS EdNet) and the Resident Education Center (REC)
• Residents and Fellows discount to attend PSTM in-person and FREE registration for PSTM On-Demand, when registered by the early-bird deadline
• Members-only access to the online resources at PlasticSurgery.org, including a dedicated residents section and access to resident podcasts
• Leadership opportunities in the ASPS Residents Council and committees
• Opportunity to participate in the PROPEL mentorship program
• Networking with the Young Plastic Surgeons (YPS) community
• Subscription to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® (PRS)
• Subscription to Plastic Surgery News® (PSN)
• Opportunity to participate in The PSF’s SHARE global health initiative
• Eligibility for PSF grants and scholarship programs
• Opportunities to serve as resident ambassadors on the PRS and PRS Global Open editorial boards
• Opportunities to participate in special-interest membership programs including Women Plastic Surgeons Forum, Military Forum, PRIDE Forum and more!
plastic surgery from across the globe as a member of the ASPS professional development.” – Joshua Scarcella, MD, University of South Florida
TRAINING FOR EXCELLENCE
ASPS Education Network (ASPS EdNet) – Your Trusted Source For Education
Developed to support plastic surgeons throughout all stages of their careers, the ASPS Education Network (ASPS EdNet) provides a full continuum of free and premium learning resources to keep your skills sharp on your own schedule.
Preparing for your boards? EdNet supports exam readiness with PlastIQ: Question of the Week and SNIPS – high-yield, board-focused tools designed to reinforce key concepts and strengthen clinical decision-making.
New content is added monthly, including case reports, CME journal articles, lectures and procedural videos such as Surgery Spotlight.
ASPS EdNet delivers the education you need – throughout residency and beyond.
“Serving on the ASPS Residents Council has been a valuable motivated residents from across the country while helping shape experience to any resident interested in leadership, advocacy
Enhanced Features:
• Intuitive platform improves findability and search options
• Recommends peer-reviewed activities tailored to learner interests
• Provides detailed content descriptions and AI-generated summaries
• Advanced reporting and analytics to track progress and certifications
• Option to watch video up to 2x speed and skip through videos using transcripts
• Optimized for mobile access across devices
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/Education.
Enhanced Qualities:
• Topic-Specific Learning Hubs
• Podcasts
• Microlearning exercises
• More PRS CME articles
• CSAT, In-Service Exam (ISE) Study Guide and Performance Insights Report
• ASPS Weekly Q&A Challenge (PlastIQ)
experience. It provides a unique platform to collaborate with initiatives that directly benefit trainees. I highly recommend this and advancing plastic surgery training.”
– Shannen Ramey, MD, University of Iowa
Resident Education Center (REC)
For residents, EdNet features the REC – a structured curriculum developed in conjunction with the American Council of Educators in Plastic Surgery (ACEPS). More than 100 peer-reviewed modules across nine core areas provide a unified, standardized learning experience, reviewed and updated annually.
As a resident in training, you’re building your future – and the REC is here to help you thrive at every step.
To access the REC, log-in to your ASPS EdNet account and scroll down to the Resident Education Curriculum section on the home page.
Clinical topic areas available through the REC include:
• Aesthetic Surgery
• Fundamentals of Surgery
• Plastic Surgery of the Head and Neck
• Plastic Surgery of the Upper Extremity
• Plastic Surgery of the Breast
• Gender Surgery
• Plastic Surgery of the Trunk
• Plastic Surgery of the Lower Extremity
Non-clinical topics include:
• Patient Safety
• Physician Wellness
• Business Practice Risk Management
• Social Media Toolkit
• Medical Photography
• Interpersonal Communication
• Evidence-Based Medicine
PREPARING FOR YOUR BOARDS AND BEYOND
Oral Board Preparation Course
The Oral Board Preparation Course is a live, virtual learning experience that is both comprehensive and interactive. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to review board-relevant cases to build your confidence and prepare you for the certification exam. Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/OBC.
In-Service Exam
The ASPS In-Service Exam is designed to assess current knowledge in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The exam is administered annually and provides residents with a comprehensive review of the core curriculum of plastic surgery with emphasis placed on Comprehensive, Hand/Extremities, Craniomaxillofacial, Cosmetic/Breast and Core Surgical Principles.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/ISE-Resident.
Comprehensive Self-Assessment Tool (CSAT)
The CSAT is intended to serve as a study guide in self-assessment format. The contents include a selection of questions, critiqued responses and references from recent In-Service Exams. All practice and test questions were reviewed and found to be objective and supported by appropriate review of the literature and align with evidence-based research. Content in this educational activity has been reviewed by peers and professionals to determine that the content is fair, balanced and unbiased.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/CSAT.
Plastic Surgery SNIPS
SNIPS is a new kind of educational course, cutting directly to the information you need to know in a short, visual format. Developed directly from content performance deficiencies revealed by the recent ABPS Continuous Certification Exam, these streamlined learning modules feature quick, easily digestible videos on important topics your peers struggled with last year. This course focuses on important topics, in a short, visual Q&A format.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/SNIPS.
PLASTIC SURGERY THE MEETING
Plastic Surgery The Meeting (PSTM) brings together the best and brightest surgeons in the specialty, poised to share their expertise with colleagues who arrive from countries around the globe. It is the premier educational and networking event of the year, for both domestic and international plastic surgeons.
Each year ASPS/PSF Resident Travel Scholarships are awarded to plastic surgery residents and international trainees in order to attend the annual meeting. This scholarship is intended to cultivate future leaders and allow them to experience PSTM and get more involved in the Society.
PSTM events focused on residents include:
Resident Scientific Paper Presentations
Resident authors have a unique opportunity to present their research at Plastic Surgery The Meeting. The Resident Abstracts will be a hybrid event with both live and on-demand presentations.
Learn more at PlasticSurgeryTheMeeting.com/Residents.
Residents Bowl
Representing plastic surgery residency programs across the country, teams will put their plastic surgery knowledge to the test and compete to become the Residents Bowl Champions. Learn more at PlasticSurgeryTheMeeting.com/Residents-Bowl.
Residents Lounge
The lounge is a designed specifically for residents to relax and network with peers and mentors.
Resident Networking Reception
Residents are invited to network with colleagues and celebrate their accomplishments.
Senior Residents Conference (SRC)
Gain a better understanding of what to expect and all you need to know to prepare for life after residency. Learn about the financial, legal and ethical issues of establishing and running a practice.
Learn more at PlasticSurgeryTheMeeting.com/SRC.
PSTM2026 – Oct. 15-18, 2026, in Houston
PSTM2027 – Sept. 16-19, 2027, in Baltimore
PSTM2028 – Oct. 12-15, 2028, in Los Angeles
ASPS RESIDENTS COUNCIL
• The ASPS Residents Council gives plastic surgery residents the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects within ASPS and the YPS Forum, as well as develop new projects specific to residency training and beyond.
• The council currently includes over 75 members, representing over 50 programs in the United States and Canada.
• Each institution may identify up to two residents to represent the training program
• Each term is for one year, with a maximum of three consecutive terms, to coincide with the Annual Board Meeting at Plastic Surgery The Meeting.
• Online applications will be accepted from February through May for the upcoming term.
• The Residents Council meets at Plastic Surgery The Meeting and has conference calls intermittently throughout the year.
The goal of the ASPS Residents Council is to improve resident involvement within the Society and advocate for the interests of residents at the highest levels of plastic surgery.
The ASPS Residents Council provides residents the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects within the Society, as well as to develop new projects specific to residency training and beyond. Through this program, residents not only gain exposure to organized plastic surgery, but also develop the necessary skills to pursue future positions of leadership.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/Residents.
FUTURE LEADERS START HERE
Networking and Career Development
Women Plastic Surgeons Forum
The Women Plastic Surgeons Forum represents and advocates for the interests and concerns of female plastic surgeons who are Active Members or Candidates for Membership of ASPS. All female plastic surgeons are considered members of the Women Plastic Surgeons Forum. Through networking, education, advocacy and mentoring, the WPS Steering Committee seeks to empower female plastic surgeons within the Society and increase their involvement within organized medicine and plastic surgery as a whole while simultaneously advancing the mission of ASPS.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/WPS.
Young Plastic Surgeons
A vital resource for young plastic surgeons, the YPS Forum acts as a liaison between plastic surgeons in the early stages of their careers and established ASPS member surgeons. Among the many initiatives of YPS is PROPEL, an innovative team-based approach to mentorship in plastic surgery. Through programs such as PROPEL and others, the diverse YPS community is afforded opportunities for networking, collaboration, political advocacy and leadership development. Plastic surgeons who are younger than 42 years of age and/or who have been in practice for fewer than eight years are considered young plastic surgeons.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/YPS.
“Participating in ASPS committees lets me be part of the community Gaining experience and mentorship as a trainee is invaluable and
SHARE
Surgeons in Humanitarian Alliance for Reconstructive, Research and Education (SHARE) seeks to enhance collaboration to improve care and surgical capacity in regions of the world with limited numbers of plastic surgeons – but high incidence of conditions requiring plastic surgery treatment. The SHARE program is tailored to local learners and their environment through education, research and collaboration.
Learn more at ThePSF.org/SHARE.
ASPS Military Forum
The Military Plastic Surgeons Forum (MPSF) supports a community of surgeons who strive to advance the field of reconstructive plastic surgery as it applies to military populations through education, advocacy and military-civilian partnership. Serving as a central hub, the MPSF allows members to network and address issues unique to military plastic surgeons and their patient populations. All members, candidates, residents, associates and affiliate members who are interested in plastic surgery in a military setting are encouraged to join, regardless of whether they have served in the military.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/Military.
ASPS Pride Forum
The PRIDE Forum develops programming and resources to support LGBTQIA+ plastic surgeons and residents. The mission of the PRIDE Forum is to support a community of LGBTQIA+ physicians, medical students and allies who advance the field of plastic surgery through education, advocacy and partnerships.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/PRIDE.
Visit PlasticSurgery.org/Community to view all of the special interest groups and forums ASPS has to offer.
of plastic surgeons while representing the voice of residents. sets the foundation for future engagement.”
– Samantha Lund, MD, Southern Illinois University
ASPS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: PROPEL
In an effort to enhance mentorship in plastic surgery, ASPS introduced PROPEL (Professional Resource Opportunities in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Education and Leadership). Rather than a typical one-on-one approach, launch teams are created to provide greater collaboration and an enhanced mentorship experience. Teams are composed of members from a variety of different backgrounds who have been matched according to interests and goals. The goal of each group is to build relationships and create a continuum of learning opportunities that reflects the vast yet overlapping experiences between faculty members and trainees in a longitudinal fashion. This allows team members the opportunity to serve as both mentor and mentee in various ways.
Information on participating in the next round of PROPEL is available at PlasticSurgery.org/PROPEL.
Meaningful mentorship is one of the most critical factors that can lead to a successful career. One of the biggest challenges is finding the right mentor, and figuring out ways to develop these relationships over time. Additionally, the transition from mentee to mentor is one that can be particularly challenging during the early stages of one’s career. We created the PROPEL program in response to these challenges. – Kavitha Ranganathan, MD, Harvard University
The PROPEL program is an excellent opportunity to connect with peers, discussing alike issues in different latitudes with eye opening points of view. This is my third year participating in PROPEL and adds a lot of value to my career. – Otto R. Ziegler Rodríguez MD, FACS, Peru
It has been a great pleasure to be involved in the PROPEL program as it has enabled myself and mentees to develop a professional and personal relationship to stimulate our practice. It is an amazing way for all plastic surgeons at different stages of training to meet and develop themselves in the future. – Dalvi Humzah, MD, United Kingdom
The ASPS PROPEL program fosters a unique mentorship model, connecting plastic surgeons at all career stages. It builds relationships and creates a continuum of learning, empowering participants to serve as both mentors and mentees. This collaborative approach helps propel future leaders and advances the field of plastic surgery. – Ma. Arlene C. Cala-or, MD, Philippines
“As a resident, participating in committees – such as to connect with peers nationwide while actively
PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
There’s a reason why Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the No. 1 plastic surgery journal in the world: Since 1946, it has been an unfailingly exceptional reference for every specialist who employs the broad spectrum of plastic surgery techniques or works in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. The journal provides reports on the most current and innovative techniques for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, including breast, hand, peripheral nerve, pediatric, craniofacial, burn and experimental. The cosmetic section provides expanded coverage on new procedures and techniques.
The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery website is now accessible only through single sign-on (SSO) with PlasticSurgery.org credentials.
PRS GLOBAL OPEN
PRS uses the latest technology to deliver procedural videos and other digital items via PRSJournal.com. Each enrolled resident will receive unlimited access to PRS, including:
• Plastic surgery videos
• Mobile access
• Topical collections, including coding, safety, psychosocial insights and more
• PRS Journal Club monthly collections: current content paired with classic materials
• PRS Journal Club podcasts
• Access to all most-cited, trending and most-emailed articles
• Hot off the press PRS “Online First” articles, accessible 10 days after acceptance!
• Each new issue – top to bottom – dive into every page of PRS and stay at the forefront of plastic surgery innovation!
• The entire archive of PRS all the way back to 1946
• Ground-breaking supplemental issues
PRS Global Open, the official open-access journal of ASPS, publishes the latest peer-reviewed updates and advances in plastic surgery from around the world, including experimental laboratory research; intriguing and perplexing case reports; personal operative and clinical technique videos; and relevant original content. PRS Global Open educates patients, the public and affiliated specialists about plastic and reconstructive surgery to improve safety, outcomes and care worldwide, one open-access article at a time. To access, go to PRSGlobalOpen.com.
PRS & PRS Global Open Resident Advisory Board
Join the growing, interactive community of residents from across the world by participating in Journal activities. Learn more at PRSJournal.com under “Residents”.
“Since joining as a medical student, ASPS has provided establish relationships with peers, identify mentors and I am enjoying growing my leadership skills and meeting
PLASTIC SURGERY NEWS
Plastic Surgery News
The Society’s award-winning news publication is published eight times per year and highlights multiple areas that affect plastic surgeons, from socioeconomic issues, patient safety and practice management to federal and state legislation, health policy, CPT coding, social media use and other hot topics. In addition to print, the magazine and archived issues are accessible online. Featured stories can also be found online at PSNextra.org.
also features regular “Plastic Surgery Resident” and “YPS Perspective” features geared specifically toward young plastic surgeons and residents. The features are written by residents and young plastic surgeons, covering topics that include starting a practice, preparing for fellowship, studying for oral and written boards, participating in international mission work and much more.
PSN Media Update, a weekly e-newsletter, helps keep plastic surgeons informed of the stories that their patients are reading in the mainstream media.
HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF PLASTIC SURGERY
Each year, more than 1,000 members of the Society – and residents – dedicate their time and talents to serve on ASPS and The PSF committees, work groups, task forces and councils. These inspiring members are actively working not only to support and guide the future of our organizations, but also to advance the plastic surgery specialty and patient care as a whole.
Committee appointments are one year in length and commence with the ceremonial “Passing of the Gavel” at each annual meeting. The application period is Feb. 1–May 31, and there is no better way to help shape the future of organized plastic surgery. We invite you to take part in these vital initiatives! Opportunities to serve on a committee, work group, task force or council are available within virtually every area of interest and expertise, including education, health policy and research.
Learn more at PlasticSurgery.org/Committees.
“I work closely with the Quality & Evidence-Based of ASPS clinical guidelines. This work directly adopted standards that influence plastic surgery
ADVANCING THE SPECIALTY
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world. Founded in 1931, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 12,000 physician members worldwide, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. The mission of ASPS is to advance quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. To support its members in the provision of excellent patient care, ASPS will provide: education, advocacy, practice support and enhanced public awareness of the value of plastic surgery, while fostering the highest professional, ethical and quality standards. The Society is a strong advocate for patient safety and requires its members to operate in accredited surgical facilities that have passed rigorous external review of equipment and staffing.
IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE
ASPS works in concert with The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF). Founded in 1948, the mission of The PSF is to foster innovation in plastic surgery and improve quality of life for plastic surgery patients through research and development, charitable care and enhanced public awareness of the value of plastic surgery. The PSF encourages the clinical exposure of plastic surgeons by sponsoring Visiting Professors and the International Scholar Program. Donations to The PSF also support surgeons who volunteer abroad to help those in need.
Learn more at ThePSF.org.
PlasticSurgery.org | Membership@PlasticSurgery.org +1 847-228-9900 | Toll Free: 1-800-283-9600
Initiatives Committee, contributing to the development and updating advances patient care by shaping evidence-based, internationally practice worldwide.” – Rawan ElAbd, MD, McGill University
