May 19, 2012

The PSF President's Message

The Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF) is more important to the future of all of us and plastic surgery than ever before. We are fortunate enough to be in a specialty that is characterized by innovation and excellence in patient care. We have our predecessors in plastic surgery to thank for that. But with success comes increasing responsibilities for continued improvement, as that is what our patients expect and deserve. In order for us to maintain our leadership role in reconstructive and aesthetic care, it is vital that we invest in the innovation mechanism developed for that continued improvement. That mechanism is the PSF.

Clinically relevant, up-to-date and innovative information is the foundation for the existence of plastic surgery now and into the future. As it relates to enhancing educational excellence opportunities for residents and graduates, the Foundation supports other activities which include Volunteers in Plastic Surgery (the volunteer international program), international scholars program, and academic affairs. However, the core focus is RESEARCH. First and foremost, virtually all donated funds to the PSF are used for clinically relevant investigation (clinical outcome studies, translational and basic research), which will either impact our practice of medicine today, or will provide opportunities to open new fields of treatment for the future. Recent examples include thromboembolism risk outcomes in reconstructive surgery patients, fat/stem cell graft research, and composite tissue transfer, to name a few. These investigations, sponsored or facilitated by our Foundation, are opening the door to new opportunities to enhance patient safety, develop innovative procedures and enhance quality of life.

My goal is to have everyone who is a plastic surgeon, plastic surgery resident or fellow give something to support innovation in research. No contribution is too small, or for that matter, too large. We are just at the beginning of a tremendous expansion of our specialty; one that is viable, creative, and gives great promise for those who consult us. Please join us in this effort -- we need you to support the PSF. Please give online.

Michael W. Neumeister, MD, FRCSC, FACS
The PSF President