SPECIAL EDITORIAL

Introduction to Special Edition on the Globalization of Plastic Surgery Seth R. Thaller, MD, DMD

O

ur specialty of plastic surgery has a long and extensive history of giving back to our global community. Cleft lip/palate has been the primary focus of these surgical missions. For this reason, it is totally appropriate that this special edition covering the gamut of the globalization of plastic surgery is published in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. Our special edition has encompassed a wide variety of specialists who have dedicated their efforts to making life better for others who live in underdeveloped nations. Concepts of globalization and volunteerism have become both trendy and almost synonymous. Hopefully, the contributors to our special edition will not only define these terms but answer and describe how we can continue to sustain and enhance our efforts. Most of all, we hope that these contributors will encourage others to participate in sharing their talents with others. After going through this edition, it will become obvious that there are a variety of ways to both involve yourself and share the experience. We would like to thank each contributor for sharing their experiences. Most of all, we want to thank the pioneer plastic surgeons who paved the way and made us aware of how to do the ‘‘right thing.’’

Our special edition originated from a conversation that Mimis and I had during last spring’s American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons meeting in Miami Beach. It demonstrated the plastic surgery’s rejuvenated awareness of our specialties’ overall commitment to our international village. Not only was this experience based on a solid historical foundation and dedication but it was also a realization that this could serve as a meaningful adjunct to the education of our residents. This would lead to an enhanced clinical experience and also introduce our residents to diverse new cultures, acknowledge how to successfully manage in an environment of limited resources, and dedicate themselves to future voluntary endeavors. The response of our colleagues to our requests that they share their top experiences was impressive. What was even more remarkable was the variety and depth of that task. Thank you to each of the authors who have taken time from their busy schedule to share their experiences. Successful completion of this edition could not have been realized without the energy and support of Dr. Mutaz Habal, the Chief and founding editor of this journal (see Supplemental Digital Content, Video, http://links.lww.com/SCS/A151).

What Is This Box? A QR Code is a matrix barcode readable by QR scanners, mobile phones with cameras, and smartphones. The QR Code links to the online version of the article.

From the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL. Received December 5, 2014. Accepted for publication January 31, 2015. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Seth R. Thaller, MD, DMD, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Clinical Research Building, 1120 N.W. 14th St., 4th Floor R-88, Miami, FL 33136; E-mail: [email protected] The author reports no conflicts of interest. Copyright # 2015 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD ISSN: 1049-2275 DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000001676

The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery



Volume 26, Number 4, June 2015

1003

Copyright © 2015 Mutaz B. Habal, MD. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

Introduction to Special Edition on the Globalization of Plastic Surgery.

Introduction to Special Edition on the Globalization of Plastic Surgery. - PDF Download Free
75KB Sizes 2 Downloads 9 Views