Welcome to the website of the New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons.  The purpose of the society is to promote education and research in the field of plastic surgery.  The Society’s first meeting was held April 19, 1960.  It was organized in the 1950s by a small group of plastic surgeons who were meeting at Memorial Hospital to discuss current research.  These surgeons included Herbert Conway, MD, Charles Neumann, MD, Lyndon Peer, MD, Blair Rogers, MD, Richard Stark, MD and George Crikelair, MD.  These surgeons initiated the establishment of a more formal organization, which became the New York Regional Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.  The members of the initial planning committee include people with whom we are all familiar:  Gustave Aufricht, MD, Arthur Barsky, MD, Herbert Conway, MD, Throop Greer, MD, William Littler, MD, Lyndon Peer, MD, Blair Rogers, MD, Richard Stark, MD and Clarence Straatsma, MD.

Since that time the Society has continued to grow and evolve.  The Society is very vibrant with approximately 245 members.  All plastic surgeons in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are invited to become active members of the New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Candidates for membership in ASPS are welcome to become candidate members of the New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Resident plastic surgeons are welcome at all meetings and do not need to formally apply for membership to do so. 

The Society sponsors two educational meetings per year, one in the fall and one in the spring; the meetings are always held Saturday morning, lasting from 8 am to 1 pm.   We strive to provide high caliber educational content featuring plastic surgeons who are recognized experts in their fields as our invited guests.  The local meetings, held at the New York Academy of Medicine in New York City, provide 3 CME credits per meeting.  The invited guest speakers address topics of current interest to plastic surgeons.  As an example, the Fall 2008 meeting focused on Lower Blepharoplasty and the speakers included Dr. Mark Codner, Dr. Michael Patipa and Dr. Allen Putterman. Dr. Henry Kawamoto was the Masters Series Lecturer. Active members pay no dues the first year of membership; thereafter, dues are $200/year. Candidate members pay no dues the first year of membership; thereafter, candidate members pay $100/year while in the first 4 years of practice. Candidate members pay $200/year after the 4th year of practice. Resident plastic surgeon members do not pay dues. For all member categories, active, candidate and resident, dues include attending the scientific meetings free of charge. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful 2009 and I look forward to seeing you at the Spring Meeting 2009. 

- Tracy M. Pfeifer, M.D.
President, New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons