Professors I Admire
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In my career I have had the pleasure, honor and opportunity to work, learn and teach among some of the superstars of cosmetic surgery. I salute these eminent teachers for their contributions to the profession.
Pierre Fornier is a French cosmetic surgeon that has been one of the most influential figures in cosmetic surgery in the world. Dr. Fornier was one of the first surgeons to use liposuction. His ability to appreciate the art of the human body and convey this in surgical terms makes him one of the most honored surgeons in the world.
Jean and Alastair Carruthers are basically responsible for the discovery of cosmetic Botox and their work changed the global face of cosmetic surgery. There are no nicer, kinder, friendlier and astute doctors than Jean and Alastair. Their knowledge and generosity has shaped the knowledge of countless surgeons, including your truly. I am proud to have them as friends and colleagues. Also shown in the right hand image is my wife April and master cosmetic dermatologist Jessica Wu.
Allen Putterman is the Godfather of oculoplastic surgery and his textbook is the bible for functional and cosmetic blepharoplasty. I have had the honor of teaching alongside Dr. P as faculty of the St. Louis University Blepharoplasty and Browlift course.
Plastic surgeon Ed Terino (center) and facial plastic surgeon Bill BInder are pioneers of facial implant surgery. Their breadth of knowledge and experience in this area is phenomenal. I have had the honor to teach alongside these experts in numerous courses around the country.
Zein Obagi is the world famous dermatologist that developed the Obagi Skin Care System. His daughter Suzan grew up working in his office and is one of the foremost cosmetic dermatologists in the nation. Suzan has been a longtime friend and colleague and has been an enormous influence on my learning skin care and skin resurfacing. I must admit I have taught her a few things as well and seeing Suzan is one of the highlights of AACS meetings. Shown in the right hand picutre is the never aging Zein Obagi, M.D. and his wife, along with my wife April.
Jeff Klein, M.D. is the inventor of tumescent liposuction which revolutionized the field of cosmetic surgery.
Bobby Simons from Miami is the undisputed king of rhinoplasty and a really great guy.
If you watch Dr. 90210 then you know cosmetic Ob/Gyn to the stars David Matlock.
Maria is a plastic and transplant surgeon at The Cleveland Clinic and will head the first face transplant performed in the USA. It was a pleasure having her as a featured speaker at the AACS annual meeting in 2007, which I served as a co-chair.
Oscar M. Ramirez, MD, F.A.C.S.
Oscar is a scholar, gentleman and outstanding soccer player! His pioneering efforts have advanced cosmetic surgery by light years. I have had the privilege to teach and lecture with him on numerous occasions. We are shown above teaching a brow and forehead cadaver lab at St. Louis University School of Medicine.
The faculty at the St. Louis Practical Anatomy Facelift course is a group I have had to honor to teach with for the past several years. Shown right to left are: Dr. Phil Custer, Dr. Guy Massry, Dr. Babak Azzizidae, Me, Dr. Paul Nassif and Dr. Oscar Ramirez. If Guy and Paul look familiar, you have seen them on the TV show "Dr. 90210".
Steve Fagien, MD - Michael Kane, MD Faigen and Michelle Bennett from Allergan on right
Dr. Steve Fagien (oculoplastic surgery) (left) Dr. Michael Kane (plastic surgery) (center) and I mugging at the Allergan National Education Faculty meeting in 2006. Steve and Mike are among the contemporary leaders in injectable fillers and Botox, as well as tequila connoisseurs.
Pictured on the left is Robert Grant, president of Allergan and on the right is Allergan CEO David Pyott.
Richard Glogau, M.D. is one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world and has contributed volumes to the profession.
There is only one Mary Lupo, M.D. who is an dynamite cosmetic dermatologist from New Orleans.
Dr Jack Kent (left) and Dr. Jon Perenack are professors of oral and maxillofacial surgery at LSU in New Orleans. We are shown outside the medical school pointing to the waterline from the flooding of hurricane Katrina. Despite the extreme hardships of the disaster these doctors kept the program running.
Dr. Mike Nayak (right) is a facial plastic surgeon at the St. Louis University and presents one of the best facelift courses in the country. Mike is a talented surgeon and teacher. Oscar Ramirez is shown with Drs. Niamtu and Nayak at the 2006 St. Louis facelift course.
Dr. Angelo Cuzilina and Dr. James Kohler are cosmetic surgeons practicing in Tulsa Oklahoma. Their 25,000 square foot office is like none other in the country. I have enjoyed teaching at their cosmetic surgery head and neck course for the past several years.
Dr. Zyia Saylan is the originator of the S-Lift, the conservative facelift surgery that set the stage for minimally invasive facelifting. I have enjoyed lecturing with Zyia at numerous meetings of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
The faculty of the St. Louis Practical Anatomy Blepharoplasty and Browlift course are also an amazing bunch of docs. In teaching alongside them at this course for the past several years I have had a chance to also learn from the experts. Shown right to left are Dr. Morris Hartstein. Dr. Don Kikkawa, Dr. Jill Hoover, me and the wild man oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Dave Holck. Not pictured is Dr. John Holds who so graciously directs the program.