American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons 2006 to 2016: Another Decade of Excellence in Education and Research

Abstract

Over the past 10 years, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS) has continued to advance to meet its mission of being the premier organization to represent maxillofacial and pediatric plastic surgery in the United States. These advances are focused on education of its members, to include the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons basic course, the preconference symposium, the annual meeting, two basic maxillofacial courses per year, advanced maxillofacial courses, a boot camp for craniofacial fellows, a cleft course, quarterly webinars, sponsored fellowships, a visiting professorship, and the ASMS journal. In addition, the ASMS has continued to advance as the premier national organization representing maxillofacial and pediatric plastic surgery in the United States, thereby positioning the organization as a primary advocate for these surgical specialties. Outreach of the ASMS has grown over the past decade and now includes representatives to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Plastic Surgery Foundation, the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and most recently a seat as a governor with the American College of Surgeons. The ASMS has also initiated an annual Summer Leadership Seminar to explore topics of relevance in a changing health care environment. The present report outlines the major initiatives of the ASMS over the past 10 years.

History of the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons: 1972 to 1996

“…Although the ASMS was integrally associated with many of the early pioneers in craniofacial surgery, this decision declared both the independence of maxillofacial surgery as well as its essential inclusion despite its craniofacial origins. Dr. Melvin Spira was the president of ASMS in 1975 and published an editorial that described a key differentiation between oral surgery as a dental surgery and maxillofacial surgery as a distinct medical specialty, with the ASMS issuing a statement in the October issue of Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 1 in agreement with Dr. Spira’s editorial. The maxillofacial surgeon, Spira stated, should have adequate training in the surgical management of tumors of the head and neck, trauma of face and facial bones, and congenital defects of the cervicofacial region.…”

“…Iulianna C. Taritsa 1 , Joshua P. Weissman 1 , Emily S. Chwa 1 , Nikhil D. Shah 1 , Steven R. Buchman 2 , and Arun K. Gosain 1 overall organization arose in a 1992-member survey. A majority (69%) of respondents felt that adequate preparation for a practicing maxillofacial surgeon involves core plastic surgery training with an additional 1-year fellowship in craniomaxillofacial surgery.…”

“…In the last 8 decades, ASMS members have contributed substantially to surgical innovation and have demonstrated their strong commitment to education. 1 -3 The first quarter-century was characterized by growth of the organization, while the subsequent 25 years (1972-1996) involved defining what it meant to be a maxillofacial surgeon. These changes occurred in the setting of the 1970s, a time during which plastic surgery made significant evolution with the development of microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, and the utilization of musculocutaneous flaps.…”