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Boards, Certifications & Societies:
What difference do they make?
I am Board Certified in Plastic Surgery, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Why did I become a member of these organizations? It might just be as simple as this: the surgeons I most admired and respected were all members. I became one as well.
These are professional institutions that uphold the highest standard and contribute to the improvement and maintenance of the specialty. I think that's important. These societies have ethical standards. They even occasionally discipline plastic surgeons according to these standards. If you are a member you commit to upholding these high standards. I have always maintained these standards, and I will continue to maintain these standards. Membership does hold a certain baseline of competency. Though there are variations in the quality of its membership, without such guidelines there'd be no standards at all.
These groups also have educational foundations which fund research to improve the treatment of patients. And that's another very good reason to support them. Good research is good science, and good science makes medicine better.
ASPS Board Certified in Plastic Surgery
The ASPS mission is to advance quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice, and research in plastic surgery.
ASPS Member Surgeons have the following qualifications:
- Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and trained specifically in plastic surgery.
- Have at least 5 years surgical training, minimum of 2 years plastic surgery training.
- Operate only in accredited medical facilities.
- Adhere to a strict code of ethics.
- Fulfill continuing education requirements, including patient safety techniques.
- Are partners with patients in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
The mission of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Inc., is to advance the science, art, and safe practice of aesthetic plastic surgery among qualified plastic surgeons through support and direction of medical education and research, sponsorship of scientific meetings and dissemination of information on current aesthetic surgical techniques; to promote and encourage the highest standards of ethical conduct and responsible patient care among aesthetic plastic surgeons; to serve the public interest by providing accurate and timely information regarding aesthetic plastic surgery and promoting patient safety; and to advance the medical profession and assure that aesthetic surgery maintains its proper place within the specialty of plastic surgery.
ASAPS Member Surgeons have the following qualifications:
- Be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
- Be in at least the third year of active practice following board certification
- Participate in accredited Continuing Medical Education
- Document the performance of a significant number and variety of cosmetic surgical cases
- Be sponsored by two ASAPS-member plastic surgeons
- Adhere to current ethical standards for professional conduct
Fellow of American College of Surgeons
To be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the surgeon's education and 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.
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 James Green, MD | Plastic Surgery, Santa Fe | Phone (505) 988 2215
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