Florida-based board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Andrew H. Weinstein, MD, MPH, FAAD, has been elected to lead the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). He will be installed as president-elect in March 2026 and hold the office of president for one year beginning in March 2027.

As president, Weinstein will lead the dermatologic society, representing more than 21,000 physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of skin, hair, and nail conditions. He will also hold the same position for the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a sister organization of AAD that focuses on government affairs, health policy, and practice information.

“I am honored and humbled to have been chosen by my peers to be the next leader of the AAD,” says Weinstein in a release.“ There is a lot of work that needs to be done to continue boosting our specialty, particularly in the area of Medicare reimbursement, and I look forward to getting started on that work and fighting for the Academy and its members.”

Weinstein is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in private practice in Boynton Beach, Fla, and is an associate volunteer professor at the University of Miami. He earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois and completed his dermatology residency at the Jackson Memorial Hospital Medical Center at the University of Miami. Weinstein served as chair of the Academy’s Advisory Board and as a member of the AAD board of directors and has served on a variety of academy committees. 

He has also served in various leadership positions in regional dermatologic societies, including president of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, president of the Florida Society of Dermatologic Surgeons, and president of the Florida Academy of Dermatology.

American Academy of Dermatology Elects New Officers, Board Members

Additionally, AAD announced the results of its annual election for vice president-elect and board members. These members, all of whom are board-certified dermatologists, will also hold the same positions for the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Officers

Thomas E. Rohrer, MD, FAAD, will be installed as vice president-elect in March 2026 and hold the office of vice president for one year beginning March 2027. Rohrer is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Chestnut Hill, Mass, and is the micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology fellowship director at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston. 

He earned his medical degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine, completed his dermatology residency at Boston University, and completed a Mohs surgery fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Rohrer previously served on the AAD Board of Directors and has served on several Academy committees. He has also served as president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and president of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Board members

Sandra M. Johnson, MD, FAAD; Maral K. Skelsey, MD, FAAD; Alina G. Bridges, DO, FAAD; and John Christopher Trinidad, MD, MPH, FAAD, were elected to the academy’s board of directors. They will each serve a four-year term beginning in March 2026. Mark D. Kaufmann, MD, FAAD, was elected to serve as the Nominating Committee Member Representative, effective immediately.

• Johnson is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Fort Smith, Ark, as well as an adjunct clinical professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock. She earned her medical degree from Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown, Ohio, and completed her dermatology residency at UAMS. Johnson, who has served on several Academy committees, including as a member of the AADA’s Patient Access and Payer Relations Committee, currently serves as a reviewer for the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
• Skelsey is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Chevy Chase, Md, the director of the Dermatology Surgery Center of Washington, and a clinical professor of dermatology at Georgetown University. She earned her medical degree and completed her dermatology residency at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and completed a micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology fellowship at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital. Skelsey currently serves as deputy chair of the AADA Regulatory Policy, is a member of the AADA Congressional Policy committee, and is associate editor of the academy’s Dialogues in Dermatology podcast.
• Bridges is a board-certified dermatologist who is an associate professor and the director of dermatopathology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in New Hyde Park, New York. She earned her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, completed her dermatology residency and served as chief resident at the University of Cincinnati, and completed dermatopathology and immunodermatology fellowships at Mayo Clinic. Bridges has served on a variety of AAD committees and is currently chair of the Dermatopathology Committee and deputy chair of the Mohs Micrographic Surgery Committee. She has also served on the board of trustees of the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society and as treasurer of the Long Island Dermatologic Society.
• Trinidad is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical faculty member at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School in Boston, where he serves as director of underserved communities. He earned his medical degree from the University of California San Francisco and completed his dermatology residency at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where he also served as faculty and inpatient dermatology director. Trinidad has served on a variety of AAD committees and task forces, including as deputy chair of the AADA Health Care Finance Committee. He is a past trustee of the Ohio Dermatological Association and is active in advocacy through the AADA Congressional Policy Committee and the AADA Legislative Conference.
• Kaufmann is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in the Miami area. He earned his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine and completed his dermatology residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Kaufmann is a past AAD President and is currently a member of the Florida Academy of Dermatology board of directors and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery board of directors.

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The Aesthetic Foundation announced the appointment of Patricia A. McGuire, MD, as its new president. According to the Foundation, McGuire, a board-certified plastic surgeon and breast surgery specialist, brings decades of experience in patient-centered care, advocacy for safety, and innovative research to her leadership role. Notably, she previously served as principal investigator on a landmark Foundation study examining systemic symptoms in women with breast implants.

“It is an honor to assume the presidency of The Aesthetic Foundation,” said McGuire, “I look forward to building upon our rich legacy by expanding our commitment to patient safety, advancing transformative research, and enhancing the lives of patients through compassionate support and innovation.”

Focus on Financial Relief for Breast Cancer Patients

Central to McGuire’s vision is the Breast Cancer Journey Assistance Fund, established by the Foundation in 2023 to help breast cancer patients overcome financial obstacles during treatment. Recognizing that expenses extend beyond surgery—including medications, chemotherapy transportation, post-surgical garments, and wigs—the fund provides grants covering costs often not reimbursed by insurance. To date, the fund has provided 118 breast cancer patients with critical financial relief for their unique journey.

Enhancing Patient Safety Through Data and Technology

Alongside patient assistance, McGuire is focused on patient safety through initiatives like the American Registry for Implant Surveillance (ARISE). ARISE is a comprehensive breast implant registry, powered by Aesthetic One— an app that allows surgeons to digitally document implants seamlessly during surgery.

Sustaining Programs Through Donor Engagement

Recognizing these crucial initiatives depend entirely on philanthropic support, The Aesthetic Foundation is launching its new donor recognition levels at The Aesthetic MEET 2025 in Austin. These new donor levels will help sustain patient assistance programs, groundbreaking research, and safety advancements in aesthetic medicine.

Donors will be recognized throughout the calendar year, with continued efforts to ensure transparency about where funds are allocated, and the lives being impacted:

• President’s Circle: Make a lasting impact with a $50,000+ cash or pledged gift, or a $100,000+ planned gift. Includes special recognition, a certificate, and a feature in ASN.
• Champion’s League: Donate $10,000+ annually to support research, breast cancer patients, externships, and more, earning top donor recognition.
• Beyond Club: Double your dues with an additional $200+ donation in a calendar year. One-time or monthly gifts recognized.
• Foundation Member: Join The Foundation for $200 annually.

Call for Community Participation

In a press release announcing her appointment, McGuire invited members of The Aesthetic Society, industry colleagues, patients, and supporters to engage with these initiatives.

“Together, we can achieve meaningful, lasting change in aesthetic medicine,” said McGuire. “Every donation makes a difference and strengthens our ability to support patients, advance research, and enhance safety.”

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Tracy Pfeifer, MD, MS, has been elected president of The Aesthetic Society during The Aesthetic MEET 2025, the organization announced in a press release. A plastic surgeon and long-time contributor to The Society, Pfeifer plans to focus on advancing education, expanding public awareness, and maintaining recently launched initiatives.

According to the organization, Pfeifer has played a key role in shaping The Society’s educational programs. As president, she will continue to support Education Reimagined, which offers training in surgical techniques, non-invasive procedures, and patient safety. Pfeifer will also prioritize initiatives that promote awareness of aesthetic treatments and the importance of board-certified plastic surgeons.

The Society credits Pfeifer’s previous leadership with contributing to its evolution, including chairing the Rebranding Task Force and refining the organization’s visual identity and positioning. She will continue expanding digital outreach and support for non-surgical professionals through programs like AlliedPro.

Pfeifer has also expressed a commitment to strengthening the Global Alliance Partners, a network of over 40 international organizations focused on collaboration in aesthetic plastic surgery.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as president and work alongside the most talented aesthetic surgeons in the world,” Pfeifer said in the announcement.

New Executive Committee Members Named

In addition to Pfeifer’s appointment, The Aesthetic Society announced the new executive committee:

• President-Elect: Jamil Ahmad, MD – Director of research and education at The Plastic Surgery Clinic. He specializes in rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation, breast and body contouring, and revisional surgery. Ahmad is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and has privileges at the University Health Network, as well as Women’s College Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital.
• Vice President: Nolan Karp, MD – Professor of plastic surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and vice chair of the Hansjörg Wyss Department. He serves as chief of plastic surgery at NYU-Tisch Hospital.
• Treasurer: Trent Douglas, MD – A board-certified plastic surgeon based in the Bay Area. He served in the U.S. Navy and is in private practice at Aesthetx Marin.
• Secretary: Douglas Steinbrech, MD, FACS – A board-certified plastic surgeon in New York specializing in minimally invasive aesthetic procedures.

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A new study has highlighted the impact of Gen Z on the surgical workforce, who are driving a worrying change as they move away from reconstructive surgery in favor of lucrative opportunities in the aesthetics sector.

The Influence of Digital Natives in Medicine

Gen Z are those born between 1997 and 2012, and are also known as ‘digital natives’ due to growing up in the internet age. Being born at this time has driven some positive change, such as innovation in the operating theatre, including virtual reality simulations and AI diagnostic tools. However, alongside this, respondents to a survey distributed by the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS) highlighted a trend in which Gen Z surgeons are favoring working in the private aesthetics sector over reconstructive surgery, raising concerns about workforce shortages in public healthcare.

Survey Findings: Priorities and Workforce Challenges

The survey, which spans Europe and the United States, quizzed seven current and past leaders of international surgical societies on the challenges, opportunities, and structural changes needed to address the influence of Gen Z. It revealed that Gen Z are spearheading reduced working hours, enhanced work-life balance, and a decline in hierarchical mentorship with a move towards a more egalitarian and less formal relationship with superiors and peers. A change in working patterns, in particular, would spell a seismic shift in current working practices, potentially affecting trauma response.

Potential Benefits and Systemic Improvements

More positive changes include reshaping a system that has punishing working hours and practices, advocating for better resources and infrastructure, embracing holistic patient care, driving efficiency, and pioneering the evolution of education and training.

A Call for Balance and Workforce Retention for Gen Z Surgeons

Mark Henley, consultant plastic surgeon and ESPRAS president, said of the study, “What Gen Z has shown us is that it’s time to overhaul the surgical landscape with a focus on balance and the wellbeing of our workforce. These trends, which on the face of it appear worrying, are actually pleas for an urgent review that considers the juxtaposition between providing a full service to patients and supporting colleagues in securing a well-balanced life. If we can address these growing needs, we are more likely to avoid the devastating impact of losing our talented surgeons to the aesthetics sector, instead providing a workplace that offers good work-life balance, and enhanced mentorship opportunities. This has multiple benefits, including the delivery of highest quality patient care.”

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Philadelphia-based board-certified dermatologist Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, will begin her one-year term as president of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) at the close of the AAD’s Annual Meeting. 

Taylor will lead the dermatologic society that represents nearly 21,000 physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair, and nail conditions. She will also hold the same position for the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a sister organization focused on government affairs, health policy, and practice information. Taylor is the sixth woman and first African American dermatologist to serve as AAD president.

“I am honored to serve the AAD membership as their next president, and I thank them for trusting me to fight for them and for the dermatology specialty over the next year and beyond,” says Taylor in a release. “I look forward to tackling head-on some of the most important issues facing dermatology today, including access to care for patients, making the Academy more accessible for members, and focusing on ensuring members feel like their Academy is taking care of them so they can better take care of their patients through important Academy activities like federal, state, and grassroots advocacy, the extensive educations opportunities both online and in person, the wide-ranging suite of practice management tools, and more.”

Taylor previously served as AAD vice president from 2020 to 2021. She is the Bernett Johnson Professor of Dermatology at Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Taylor pursued her undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, earned her medical degree from Harvard University in Boston, completed an internal medicine residency at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, and completed her dermatology residency at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. 

In addition to serving as AAD vice president, she has served on the AAD board of directors and has been involved with many AAD committees, councils, and task forces. She was awarded the John Kenney Jr, MD Lifetime Achievement Award by the AAD in 2022. 

AAD Installs New Officers, Board Members

In addition to Taylor, three other new officers and four new board members will be installed immediately upon the conclusion of the 2025 Annual Meeting of the AAD. The officers and board members are all board-certified dermatologists and members of the AAD.

New officers:

• Kevin D. Cooper, MD, FAAD, will hold the office of vice president for one year. Cooper earned his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla, and completed his dermatology residency at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Ore, after which he spent time at the National Institute of Health and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. He is currently a professor and the Henri Pell Junod, Jr, Chair of Dermatology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, University Hospital Seidman Cancer Center, and Case Western Reserve University, all of which are located in Cleveland. He has served on the AAD board of directors, as well as on a variety of academy councils, committees, and task forces. He is a former president of the Association of Professors of Dermatology and the Society for Investigative Dermatology.
• Keyvan Nouri, MD, MBA, FAAD, will hold the office of secretary-treasurer for three years. Nouri is tenure professor of dermatology, Louis C. Skinner, Jr, MD Endowed Chair of Dermatology, Richard Helfman Professor of Dermatologic Surgery, immediate past chair of the University of Miami Medical Group, and director of Mohs, dermatologic, and laser surgery and director of Mohs fellowship and surgical training for the University of Miami department of dermatology. Nouri previously served the academy as assistant secretary-treasurer. 
• Sabra Sullivan, MD, PhD, FAAD, will hold the office of assistant secretary-treasurer for three years. Sullivan previously served as the chair of the AADA Council on Government Affairs and Health Policy and chair of the Congressional Policy Committee among many councils, workshops, and committees. She has also served as president and vice president of the Mississippi Dermatologic Society and served on the boards of directors of the American Dermatological Association, the Noah Worcester Society, and the Women’s Dermatologic Society. She earned her medical degree and a doctorate in immunology from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and completed her dermatology residency at Stanford University in Stanford, California. She is a clinical adjunct professor of dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical School. Sullivan practices in Jackson, Mississippi.

Board members: 

Each individual listed below will serve a four-year term on the AAD’s board of directors.

• Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD, is a professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell University in New York City. Alexis obtained his medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his dermatology residency at Weill Cornell’s New York Presbyterian Hospital. He is currently an editorial board member for the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Alexis has also served on the board of directors of the American Dermatological Association and as president of the New York Dermatological Society. He is the immediate past-president of the Skin of Color Society.
• A. Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH, FAAD, is the director of community health in the department of dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and an associate professor at Harvard. Kourosh obtained her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, where she also completed her dermatology residency. She is a past editor-in-chief of the Academy’s Dialogues in Dermatology podcast. Kourosh chairs the AAD’s Ad Hoc Task Force on Dermatological Resources for the Intervention and Prevention of Human Trafficking.
• Seth L. Matarasso, MD, FAAD, is a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco. Matarasso obtained his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and completed his dermatology residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he also served as chief resident. He then completed a dermatologic surgery and Mohs chemosurgery fellowship at UCSF. He is the chair of the Academy’s Bylaws Committee. Matarasso has also served as president of the California Society of Dermatology and is the current president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
• Joseph Merola, MD, MSc, FAAD, is the chair of dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and professor of dermatology, professor of medicine and rheumatology, and professor at the Peter O’Donnell Jr School of Public Health. Merola is board-certified in dermatology, internal medicine, and rheumatology. Merola obtained his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine, where he also completed his dermatology residency and served as chief resident and his Masters of Medical Sciences degree at Harvard Medical School. Merola also completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in rheumatology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

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Summary:

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has published a free e-book called “The Care You Deserve” to help patients navigate cosmetic procedures with accurate information. This resource comes as cosmetic procedures continue to increase, with surgical procedures up 5% and minimally invasive treatments up 7% in 2023.

Key Takeaways:

1. The e-book emphasizes the importance of choosing qualified professionals, specifically highlighting surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery as the gold standard.
2. It provides educational resources to help patients understand their options, prepare for consultations, and verify surgeon qualifications through checklists.
3. The guide addresses both mental and physical preparation for procedures, helping patients approach aesthetic choices with a balanced mindset and practical preparation for recovery.

For anyone considering plastic surgery, navigating the aesthetic journey can feel overwhelming with so much information—and misinformation—about plastic surgery procedures. In 2023, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Procedural Statistics found that cosmetic surgical procedures increased 5%, and minimally invasive treatments jumped 7%. 

That growth is likely to continue as more people seek information about enhancing their appearance. “Individuals’ ideal ‘look’ may vary, but all patients deserve the knowledge and guidance to feel confident throughout the process,” according to a release from the ASPS. 

ASPS has published a new, free e-book as part of “The Care You Deserve” campaign to help guide those considering a cosmetic procedure with accurate, unbiased information about aesthetic treatments and procedures. 

“Plastic surgery can be life-changing, but it is still real surgery with real risks, so patients need to seek quality care from a plastic surgeon with the certification, training, and experience to offer the care they deserve,” reads the release from ASPS. The e-book aims to remove the guesswork by helping patients prioritize their safety, make informed decisions, and feel supported throughout their aesthetic journey.

“It’s about helping patients better navigate choices by providing compassionate, patient-centered information that helps individuals achieve their personal goals,” says Scott Hollenbeck, MD, ASPS president, in a release. “‘The Care You Deserve’ prioritizes safety and supports informed decision-making to help patients get the most optimal results.”

Key features of “The Care You Deserve” e-book include:

• Expert Insights: Educates patients about why selecting a plastic surgeon who is a member of ASPS and certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the gold standard for care. Plastic surgery is a specialty that requires extensive training, experience, and expertise to perform safely and effectively.
• Educational Resources: Provides tools and materials to help patients understand their options from minimally invasive treatments to surgical procedures. It prepares patients for consultations, so they ask the important questions to make informed decisions. It also provides checklists to ensure the surgeon’s qualifications.
• Preparation for Mental and Physical Well-Being: Helps patients approach procedures with a balanced mindset as well as dietary and lifestyle considerations to prepare for both the procedure and the healing process.

“Choosing to undergo an aesthetic procedure is a deeply personal decision,” says Michele Shermak, MD, ASPS public education chair, in a release. “Ensuring patients make informed choices is critical. Through ASPS’s National Campaign, ‘The Care You Deserve,’ we hope to empower individuals to know they are making choices with confidence and prioritize their safety.”

“The Care You Deserve” e-book is designed to equip patients with the knowledge to avoid pitfalls, reduce the risk of complications, and make decisions that prioritize safety and satisfaction.

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Plastic Surgery Practice: What are your primary goals as the new president of the AAFPRS, and how do you plan to advance the academy’s mission?

Patrick J. Byrne, MD, MBA: Across the nation—and indeed, the world—we have experienced disruptive changes in healthcare. These changes include not only cost pressures on practices and health systems but also fundamental shifts in how physicians seek education and consume information.

We have several goals:

1. To support the academy’s advancement of our corporate practices.
2. To embark on a reimagining of our educational offerings, an exciting initiative we began over the past year.
3. To drive alignment across our diverse membership.
4. To focus significant energy on engagement with industry.

PSP: How do you see the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery evolving in the next few years, particularly with advancements in technology?

Byrne: Technology will drive advancements in the field on several fronts. The first is a continuation of technological progress, with new devices and treatments continuing to emerge, including but not limited to aesthetic treatments. Advancements in tissue regeneration, biomaterials, and nerve regeneration are just a few areas where we will continue to see remarkable progress.

Perhaps even more disruptive will be the impact of artificial intelligence, which holds promise not only for driving drug discovery but also for fundamentally altering how care is delivered. We are on the verge of an incredible expansion of virtual “agents”—virtual partners who will support individuals in optimizing their care and navigating the healthcare system.

PSP: Can you discuss the importance of integrating both clinical excellence and business acumen in advancing surgical practices and patient care?

Byrne: All our members need to be proficient in both. Our primary obligation, in the end, is to our patients; that is always our North Star. We put patients first, focusing on achieving excellent clinical outcomes while keeping them safe. The reality is that our ability to do so is also tied to financial performance. This is true for those in solo private practice as much as it is for our members in large healthcare organizations.

As an academy, my colleagues and I on the board of directors have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that we remain a thriving and solvent organization. Current expense pressures are affecting wide swaths across multiple industries, and we are no exception. In my view, we have an ethical obligation to ensure financial success for the AAFPRS because our fundamental mission is to serve the interests of our patients in terms of safety and excellent outcomes. These are inextricably linked.

PSP: How has your experience directing the Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Program shaped your approach to training the next generation of surgeons?

Byrne: I’ve trained over 15 fellows at Johns Hopkins and several now at the Cleveland Clinic. It’s been a wonderfully gratifying experience. We encourage trainees to develop an absolute passion for excellence. What I mean is that our patients deserve this — they deserve providers who are obsessed with achieving perfection. This is an impossible goal and yet the only one that is appropriate. Training surgeons has been a personal gift to me, as I am challenged daily to bring my very best forward.

PSP: What are the biggest challenges currently facing the field of facial plastic surgery, and how can the AAFPRS help address them?

Byrne: The macroeconomic changes affecting healthcare more broadly are equally relevant to our members. We are dealing with workforce shortages, higher wages, and inflationary pressure on supply chains. These societal pressures affect the cost of delivering healthcare and also impact the demand for our services.

As an academy, we need to focus on what we can control. First and foremost is our dedication to providing members with world-class training and educational opportunities. We are laser-focused on ensuring that our members provide unsurpassed clinical excellence for every patient who seeks care from a facial plastic surgeon. Our product must be the best.

PSP: Could you share some insights into your work with microsurgical facial reconstruction and its impact on patient outcomes?

Byrne: This has been a passion project of mine for over two decades. Patients who suffer from facial paralysis often represent the ultimate challenge in combining advanced reconstructive techniques with sophisticated aesthetic treatments. These are reconstructive surgery challenges that are also aesthetic in nature. Our patients suffer from profound facial deformities and want not only to blend into society, unnoticed, but also to look their best. They want to look youthful and attractive. This has profound effects on their sense of well-being, confidence, and overall health.

The techniques have become highly sophisticated and technically challenging, to the point where patients should ideally see surgeons who are at the forefront. One area I have focused on the most is how to perform muscle and nerve transplants in a way that creates natural facial emotion. This is as much an art as it is a science.

PSP: What advancements in the treatment of facial paralysis and reanimation surgery are you most excited about?

Byrne: We have developed techniques in our field to restore the ability to smile with the entire face more effectively than ever before. This involves muscle and nerve transplants, where the delicate dissection of multiple “vectors” of movement is achieved in an effort to evoke expressions of happiness and joy.

Key Takeaways

1. Scott Hollenbeck, MD, is now the president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), emphasizing the specialty’s role in healthcare, patient safety, and access to board-certified plastic surgeons.
2. Hollenbeck has a strong background in academic medicine, having expanded virtual educational resources during COVID-19 and holding the Raymond F. Morgan Professorship at UVA since 2022.
3. With a focus on reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery, particularly breast cancer reconstruction, his research and work address critical health services and commercialization in plastic surgery.

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Scott Hollenbeck, MD, chair of the department of plastic surgery, maxillofacial, and oral health at the University of Virginia, is now president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He began his one-year term on September 29, 2024, at the Society’s annual meeting in San Diego.

“I am honored to serve as the president of ASPS and uphold the knowledge that plastic surgeons can be leaders within their health systems and add value to their communities through innovative and inspired problem-solving,” says Hollenbeck. “I will continue to work toward unifying the specialty and organization toward critical missions, such as ensuring access to plastic surgery services, continued advancement in patient safety, and reinforcing the importance of consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon when considering cosmetic or reconstructive procedures.”

As ASPS president, Hollenbeck aims to emphasize the role of plastic surgery in the U.S. health system. He focuses on academic medicine and collaboration across health systems.

In 2020, as ASPS/PSF Board Vice President of Education, Hollenbeck expanded virtual educational resources during COVID-19 by updating the In-Service Exam and ASPS EdNet online platform. He is the Raymond F. Morgan Professor at UVA, which he joined in 2022 as the department chair.

“Dr. Hollenbeck’s talents as a surgeon, researcher and educator have made him a national leader in academic medicine,” says Melina R. Kibbe, MD, the dean of the School of Medicine and chief health affairs officer for UVA Health. “He is leading our department of plastic surgery to even greater accomplishments in service to our patients and future generations of physicians and scientists.”

Hollenbeck focuses on reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery, particularly breast cancer reconstruction. His research spans health services, basic science, and commercialization, resulting in over 125 publications, patents, and grants. He also addresses barriers to breast cancer reconstruction at both local and national levels.

He earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University, completed a general surgery residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and a plastic surgery residency at Duke University, specializing in microvascular reconstruction. While at Duke, he co-founded a tissue engineering start-up to help patients regenerate tissue after surgery or injury.

Key Takeaways

• Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS, has been elected president of The Plastic Surgery Foundation for a one-year term, focusing on the organization’s academic and financial development.
• Matarasso is a highly experienced plastic surgeon, having authored over 1,000 publications and delivered more than 700 presentations in aesthetic plastic surgery.
• He holds several key roles in the field, including positions with the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Confederation of Plastic Surgery Societies.

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Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS, has been elected president of The Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF) as of September 29, during the annual Plastic Surgery The Meeting in San Diego. He will serve a one-year term, focusing on the academic and financial development of the organization.

“I am honored to lead The PSF and continue our deep commitment to advancing plastic surgery through research and collaboration,” says Matarasso. “I look forward to further growing The Foundation’s research initiatives, academic development and expanding plastic surgery’s vital role in global healthcare.”

He has authored over 1,000 publications, including journal articles, book chapters, and reviews. He has delivered more than 700 presentations and lectures on aesthetic plastic surgery. A recognized expert, he is frequently quoted in national newspapers and magazines and has appeared on major TV networks and radio broadcasts.

Longstanding Service to HIs Plastic Surgery Speciality

Matarasso has a long history of service to the specialty. He is currently assistant national secretary (United States) to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) and the U.S. delegate to the International Confederation of Plastic Surgery Societies (ICOPLAST), as well as a director on four nonprofit, non-medical boards. He previously served as president of ASPS (2019), The Rhinoplasty Society (2009) and the New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons (2006).

Matarasso’s dedication to providing excellent patient care has been recognized throughout the field. During his career, Matarasso has continuously been named one of the top plastic surgeons in publications such as The New York Times Magazine, Vogue, Newsweek, Elle, American Health Castle-Connolly and Woodward/White. Recently, he was appointed to the Warren B. Davis Circle—the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) Reviewers Hall of Fame.

Educational Highlights

Matarasso, a graduate of the University of Miami-Miller School of Medicine, completed his general surgery training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Hospital, where he served as chief resident in plastic surgery. He specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery and is currently a clinical professor of surgery and systems chief of cosmetic surgery at Hofstra University Zucker School of Medicine/Northwell Health System. He practices in Manhattan, holds hospital privileges at multiple New York City medical centers, and operates his own American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities-accredited facility.

Key Takeaways

• The 2024 AAFPRS Annual Meeting will feature 325 speakers from 15 countries, offering insights on the latest advancements and minimally invasive techniques in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
• Key sessions include discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on beauty standards, biosecurity, and medical intelligence, along with topics such as deep plane facelifts, gender-affirming surgeries, and the use of platelet-rich plasma in treatments.
• Special attention will be given to managing filler complications, the role of exosomes in surgery, and training for nurse injectors, with a focus on improving patient safety and outcomes.

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The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, or AAFPRS, will hold its 2024 Annual Meeting from October 23-26 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. The event will feature 325 speakers from 15 countries, providing a platform for experts in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery to share knowledge and insights.

AAFRPs attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest advancements in the field, including upcoming treatments and minimally invasive techniques that are redefining facial plastic surgery. Experts from diverse specialties, such as facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, dermatology, maxillofacial surgery, oculoplastic surgery, and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, will share insights into improving safety, reducing recovery times, and achieving superior outcomes in facial rejuvenation and reconstruction.

AAFRPS Session Highlights

Highlighted sessions include a keynote presentation by Bruce A. Scott, MD, president of the American Medical Association, as the Gene Tardy Scholar Keynote Speaker. The meeting will also feature discussions on how artificial intelligence is influencing the perception of beauty and examine the role of facial plastic surgery in U.S. biosecurity, biocybersecurity, and medical intelligence.

Other significant topics will cover deep plane facelifts, gender-affirming facial surgery, post-traumatic facial reconstruction, and the preservation of facial aesthetics through advanced surgical techniques. Additionally, attendees can expect discussions on the use of allograft rib in Hispanic rhinoplasty, combining fat grafting with deep plane facelifts, and the role of platelet-rich plasma in clinical settings.

The AAFRPS meeting will also address the management of challenging patients, the expanding role of exosomes in facial surgery, and training on vascular considerations for nurse injectors. Special attention will be given to the management of filler complications and the use of ultrasound for aesthetic injectors.

Jamil Asaria, MD, K. Kay Durairaj, MD, Edward H. Farrior, MD, Mark M. Hamilton, MD, and Lisa M. Morris, MD, are chairing this year’s event, with Anthony E. Brissett, MD, and Catherine P. Winslow, MD, serving as AAFPRS Education Directors.