August 16th, 2010 Dr. Mele
The International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) started its 40th anniversary meeting this weekend in San Francisco. While the majority of the meeting will be spent discussing the finer points of plastic surgery technique, Saturday was spent discussing patient safety on a global scale.
The ISAPS is leading the way in global guidelines for plastic surgery patient safety. Topics included:
- Uniform global plastic surgeon certification requirements
- Uniform global facility accreditation requirements
- Medical Procedures Abroad ™ i.e. Medical tourism
- Guidlines for patient safety
- Medical device guidelines and usage
Sunday was spent discussing Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and Rhytidectomy (face lift surgery). Today was dedicated to Rhinoplasty (nasal surgery) and Mammoplasty (breast surgery: breast augmentation, breast implants, breast enhancement, breast reduction, beast reconstruction, congenital breast deformities and breast lift surgery).
Tomorrow Maria Siemionow, MD, the team leader of the first U.S. face transplantation surgery, will be making a special presentation. Tuesday will focus on aesthetic reconstructive surgery, as well as Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and Body Contouring (liposuction and body lifts).
The final day of the conference, Wednesday, will be spent on Cosmetic Medicine and finally Patient Safety and Complications. It’s been great so far. If you would like more information on any of these procedures, please click on any of the Categories to the left, or visit my main website: DrMele.com.
Posted in Patient Safety, Plastic Surgery Societies | 1 Comment »
July 10th, 2010 Dr. Mele
Dr. Joseph Mele, MD, is an Active Memeber of the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association.
The Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Society (ACCMA), our local county medical society, was established almost 140 years ago. The ACCMA is affiliated with both the California Medical Association (CMA) and with the American Medical Association (AMA).
As per its Web Site, The purpose of the ACCMA is to:
- Provide a forum for the full and frank interchange of ideas among physicians
- Secure intelligent unity and harmony within the profession
- Make effective the opinions of doctors in all scientific, medical, public health, medical economic, and social affairs in which the medical profession has a valid interest or public responsibility
The list of the ACCMA’s achievements are truly remarkable including:
- The first woman elected president of any national medical society (1895)
- Established, with its member physicians, health care for low-income patients (1932)
- Created a non-profit insurance company (1936) which later became Blue Cross of California
- Created the Alameda-Contra Costa County Blood Bank(1945)
- Guaranteed Medical Care for all Alameda County Citizens (1947)
- Created the first medical society-sponsored group professional liability insurance plan (1947)
- Organized the first multi-casualty airport disaster drill, conducted at Oakland International Airport (1956)
- Formed the first physician well-being committee (1968)
- Established the first doctor-owned professional liability insurance company in California: Medical Insurance Exchange of California (MIEC) (1975)
- Formed the Alameda-Contra Costa Physicians Committee (ACCPAC) as its local political action committee (1989)
- Created the Credentials Verification Service (CVS) (1996)
For more details see the ACCMA Achievements Page.
Posted in Home, Plastic Surgery Societies | 1 Comment »
July 8th, 2010 Dr. Mele
Dr. Mele is an Active Member of the California Medical Association (CMA)
The California Medical Association (CMA) was formed as the State Medical Society of California on March 12, 1856. The initial membership totaled 75 physicians who held their first meeting over 154 years ago at Pioneer Hall on J Street in what is now Old Town Sacramento. In 1923, the association was renamed the California Medical Association. At its 150th anniversary the membership totaled 35,000.
The CMA continues to support the people of California. It has studied the effects of lack of access to care for the poor since the 1930s, and tried to get legislation passed in the state and nation that would establish compulsory health insurance. They continue to advocate for health insurance for all, via voluntary participation, through legislation, policy and the courts.
I was privileged to see how the society works first-hand as the California Society of Plastic Surgeons Young Physician Representative to the CMA, dealing with issues such as access to care and the distribution of vaccines. The CMA continues to work closely with County Medical Societies to assist with local problems, with State Legislators for statewide medical issues, and with the American Medical Association for national health issues.
Posted in Home, Patient Safety, Plastic Surgery Societies | No Comments »
July 6th, 2010 Dr. Mele
Dr. Mele is a Lifetime Member of the American Medical Association (AMA)
The American Medical Association (AMA) was founded in 1847 at the Academy of Natural Sciences by Nathan Davis. With it, the first minimum standards for medical education were established. The original goals of the AMA where to:
- advance the science of medicine
- improve the standards for medical education
- develop a program of medical ethics
- improve the health of the public
The often quoted Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) was established in 1883. This was not the first journal created by the AMA. Indeed, the Archives of Ophthalmology, Archives of Otology and the Journal of Cutaneous Diseases (now Archives of Dermatology), all preceded the JAMA.
Through the 1900′s the AMA had a tremendous amount of influence over medicine in North America. In public health, it helped to craft national legislation for the control of tuberculosis (TB) and smallpox. In medical education, it inspected and accredited medical schools and curriculums, set standards for internship and specialty training, and encouraged the recognition of specialty boards. It formed many other more influential bodies, including:
There are over 814,000 doctors licensed in the United States of America. State medical societies used to require that their members were also AMA members. After several states dropped this requirement in 1971, the AMA lost over 11,000 members. Today approximately 15-20% of practicing physicians are members.
As the number of physician member decreases, so does funding that comes from dues. Increasingly, the association’s income comes from advertising, CPT and ICD-9 code licensing, and information technology. This has caused controversial decision making in the recent past. The Sunbeam scandal is one glaring example. Despite the controversies, the AMA remains a potent political force, with the ability to influence regulations locally and nationally.
Posted in Home, Patient Safety, Plastic Surgery Societies | 2 Comments »
July 4th, 2010 Dr. Mele
Dr. Mele is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
Just the FACS Ma’am
Ever wonder why some doctors have FACS after their name? It means they are members of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). FACS stands for: Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. To be a member, a surgeon’s education, training, professional qualifications, surgical competence and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College.
The American College of Surgeons
Established in Chicago, in 1913, the society has 73,000 American Surgeons and more than 4,000 surgeons from other countries. The college’s main activities include the:
- Annual Clinical Congress and other sponsored continuing medical activities
- Commission on Cancer to improve the care of cancer patients
- Committee on Trauma to improve the management and prevention of injuries
- Division of Advocacy and Health Policy monitors legislative and regulatory issues affecting the field of surgery
- Sponsoring of the Residency Review Committee for Surgery and the Surgical Specialties including Plastic Surgery
- Office of Public Information provides general information about surgeons and surgical care
- Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP) a resource for surgeons lifelong learning, and to prepare for Board Certification
- Publications:
So if you are a patient, the letters FACS after a surgeons name mean the American College of Surgeons has independently evaluated and accepted their qualifications.
Posted in Home, Patient Safety, Plastic Surgery Societies | 2 Comments »
June 22nd, 2010 Dr. Mele
Dr. Mele is a Active Member of the International Confederation for Plastic Reconstructiive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS)
The International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ICPRAS) is the largest plastic surgery society on Earth. Since 1955, meetings have been held around the world to foster the advancement of Plastic Surgery. Previous sites include:
- Stockholm (1955)
- London (1959)
- Washington (1963)
- Rome (1967)
- Melbourne (1971)
- Paris (1975)
- Rio de Janiero (1979)
- Montreal (1983)
- New Delhi (1987)
- Madrid (1992)
- Yokohama (1995)
- San Francisco (1999)
- Sydney (2003)
- Berlin (2007)
- Vancouver (2011)
I was fortunate to have attended the last Quadrennial congress held in San Francisco (1999). While it was 11 years ago, almost 90 National Societies were represented, more than twice the founding 39 National Societies.
The IPRAS has four Chapters, each with its own International Society.
- Reconstructive Microsurgery
- Hand Surgery
- Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Craniofacial Surgery
These cover the main areas of subspecialization in Plastic Surgery. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is represented by the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) which will be having its meeting here, in San Francisco, this August.
Practicing Plastic Surgery in the San Francisco Bay Area has advantages. San Francisco is a nice place to visit, so we attract many state, national and international plastic surgery meetings. This certainly makes it convenient to attend the best Plastic Surgery Conferences in the World.
As plastic surgery advances and expands, international societies like the IPRAS and the ISAPS will continue to provide a wide range of experience and perspective.
Posted in About Dr. Mele, Home, Patient Safety, Plastic Surgery Societies | 1 Comment »
June 20th, 2010 Dr. Mele
Dr. Mele is an Active Member of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS).
The California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. The CSPS is the largest State Plastic Surgery Society in the US with 450 members. It is the third largest American plastic surgery society after the two National Societies: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Every member is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
The mission of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons is to:
- Advance the profession of plastic surgery through continuing educational activities
- Advise the public through direct patient education
- Act as patient advocates, protecting the welfare of the people of California with respect to cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery
As part of its mission, the California Society of Plastic Surgeons monitors legislation that effects the practice of medicine, especially as pertains to plastic surgery. To extend its expertise, the CSPS maintains delegates to the California Medical Association (CMA). In 2000, I was the CSPS delegate to the Young Physicians Section, at the California Medical Association’s Annual Meeting held in Reno, Nevada.
The society includes plastic surgeons specializing in both cosmetic plastic surgery and reconstructive plastic surgery. Most members of our state society are also members of the ASPS. Members who specialize in aesthetic (cosmetic) plastic surgery, are often also members of the ASAPS. I am proud to belong to all three groups, each of which promotes the practice of plastic surgery with the highest ethical standards and the foremost professional training and qualifications.
Posted in About Dr. Mele, Home, Patient Safety, Plastic Surgery Societies | No Comments »
June 18th, 2010 Dr. Mele
Dr. Mele is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons
The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons (ASBPS), was established by Board Certified Plastic Surgeons with a special interest the facial and body contouring procedures used after massive weight loss. Its mission is the care of patients who have lost significant amounts or weight through diet, exercise, bariatric surgery or any combination of the three. The ASBPS facilitates the exchange of ideas and techniques of post-bariatric plastic surgery among experienced board certified plastic surgeons and provides information for patients seeking relief from the burden of the excess skin that can remain after weight loss.
What are the Most Common Post-Bariatric Plastic Surgery Procedures?
The post bariatric plastic surgery procedures performed are similar to the traditional techniques. Some require modifications to allow more skin to be removed. The more common procedures are:
Posted in About Dr. Mele, Home, Patient Safety, Plastic Surgery Societies | No Comments »
June 16th, 2010 Dr. Mele
Dr. Mele is an active member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Who is the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
Perhaps you are familiar with the cyan circle above. It is the symbol of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The ASPS was established in 1931, by two European immigrants: Jacques Maliniac (Warsaw, Poland) and Gustave Aufricht (Budapest, Hungary), and has become the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world. With over 6000 members, the ASPS has become a world wide partner in plastic surgery education, innovation and patient care.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons Membership
Membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons means your Plastic Surgeon is Board Certified and uniquely qualified to take care of a wide range of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery needs. To demonstrate our eligibility for membership, plastic surgeons have to:
- Be Board Certified (In the US by the American Board of Plastic Surgery)
- Be sponsored by current active or life members of the ASPS
- Meet specific Continuing Medical Education requirements in Plastic Surgery and Patient Safety
- Abide by the ASPS Bylaws and Code of Ethics
- Operate only in Accredited Hospitals and Outpatient Surgical Facilities (Surgery Centers)
- Maintain hospital admitting privileges in Plastic Surgery
Why not the American Society of Cosmetic Surgeons?
Plastic surgery encompasses more than cosmetic surgery. It includes a wide array of reconstructive procedures too. Did you know the first kidney transplant was performed by a plastic surgeon? ASPS member, Joseph Murray, MD, of Boston, received the 1990 Noble Prize in Medicine for his work with organ transplantation.
The society changed its name to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons from The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPRS) a few years back. The move was made to both simplify and unify the divergent aspects of the discipline.
The word “plastic” in plastic surgery comes from the Greek root plastikos. The word plastikos means to mold or give form, which is what we do to the body. Whether this is done for cosmetic or reconstructive reasons, it is still plastic surgery.
Why do we do Plastic Surgery?
Dr. Gaspare Tagliacozzi (1597) said it best. “We restore, repair and make whole, those parts which nature has given, but misfortune has taken away, not so much that they might delight the eyes of the beholder but that they may buoy up the spirit and help the mind of the afflicted.” In other words, we do it for you.
Posted in About Dr. Mele, Home, Plastic Surgery Societies | No Comments »
June 10th, 2010 Dr. Mele
Dr. Mele is an Active Member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
I am proud to be an active member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). The ASAPS is the premier American professional medical society for cosmetic surgery. Its members are exclusively Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, who are actively practicing, and refining, the art of aesthetic plastic surgery.
About the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
The ASAPS was founded in 1967, to serve both professional and public interests. The organization currently has 2600 members from around the world. The ASAPS membership is a subset of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons who specialize in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery. Only about one-forth of all American Board Certified Plastic Surgeons have been accepted for membership in the ASAPS.
The Goals of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
The goals of the organization are:
- Patient Advocacy –
- Promoting the utmost in patient safety
- Promoting the highest standards of ethical conduct
- Advocating for your right to be fully informed
- Public Education –
- Public outreach regarding procedures
- Maintaining an up-to-date web site (ASAPS web site)
- Media outreach via the ASAPS Communications Office
- Professional Educational –
- Sponsoring scientific meetings (2010 DC Meeting)
- Publishing the Aesthetic Surgery Journal
- Offering Continuing Medical Education
- Research –
- Collecting data on Plastic Surgery
- Publishing annual statistics on Plastic Surgery utilization (2009 statistics)
- Supporting research in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Membership
Physicians who have been trained in specialties other than Plastic Surgery, are not eligible for membership. To be a member you must:
- Be a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
- Be in at least the third year of active practice after achieving Board Certification
- Participate in ongoing Continuing Medical Education to stay current
- Document the performance of a significant number and variety of cosmetic surgical cases to demonstrate experience and dedication to cosmetic plastic surgery
- Be sponsored by two active ASAPS members to help ensure applicants have a high professional reputation
- Adhere to the ASAPS Code of Ethics for professional conduct
Membership in the ASAPS is just one more way that I demonstrate my commitment to my patients, and make evident my dedication to the safe and ethical practice of cutting-edge Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.
Posted in About Dr. Mele, Home, Patient Safety, Plastic Surgery Societies | No Comments »
