American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
| Formation | 1969 |
|---|---|
| Type | Professional Association |
| Headquarters | St. Paul, MN |
| Location | |
Membership | 850 |
Official language | English |
President | Gerald G. Harris, MD, FACS |
Key people | Tamara Fountain, MD President Elect |
The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) is a medical society[1] representing board certified specialist physicians whose purpose is "to advance education, research, and the quality of clinical practice in the fields of aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery specializing in the face, orbits, eyelids, and lacrimal system."
The society of over 850 members was founded in 1969 with the goal of establishing a group of surgeons who have attained a specialized level of training and expertise. To help train qualified physicians, ASOPRS sponsors oculofacial fellowship programs intended for postgraduate physicians who have completed an accredited ophthalmology residency.[2]
Oculofacial Specialty
The society members are medical doctors who practice a supspecialty of Ophthalmology known as Oculofacial surgery or Oculoplastics. An Oculofacial surgeon is an ophthalmologist (medical doctor and eye surgeon) who has completed additional training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery relating to the eyes and their surrounding structures. This specialized focus deals with the management of deformities and abnormalities of the eyelids, lacrimal (tear) system, the orbit (the bony cavity surrounding the eye), and the adjacent face.
Fellowship and Membership
Membership in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) is limited to ophthalmologists who are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology or its equivalent and have completed rigorous fellowship training, passed the ASOPRS Examinations and written an acceptable thesis. Fellowship indicates that the surgeon has a special interest and requisite training in this subspecialty. "While board certification and fellowship cannot guarantee a surgical result, these credentials do identify the member surgeon as one who has met specific training requirements."[3]
Society Benefits
Members help to further ASOPRS goal of representing "the best in ophthalmology and plastic surgery". This highly specialized and trained group of physicians is consistently at the forefront of clinical practice, education, and scholarly research. Members of the organization are involved in a variety of activities to promote the society and its goals. This includes the publication of the bi-monthly society journal Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, hosting two annual society meetings, and training new doctors in the field through fellowship programs. In addition, members are involved in advocacy of the society's goal on the national level through the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and other organizations dedicated to education and clinical care.
Fellowships
ASOPRS sponsors specialized oculoplastics fellowship training to board certified ophthalmologists. The society only sponsors programs capable of providing "broad clinical experience and laboratory research" www.asoprs.org.
External links
References
www.asoprs.org