CALIFORNIA SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS - Key Persons
The best thing about being a Plastic Surgeon is: The challenge and immense satisfaction of doing something truly and often immediately transformative for patients, whether it's reconstructive or aesthetic surgery. I love the "unveiling" at the initial post-operative visit, when patients get to see their results for the first time- it's by far one of my favorite parts of being a plastic surgeon.
My favorite procedure to perform is: Nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate pre-pectoral implant reconstruction- I love being able to offer a procedure where women with breast cancer or at high risk for breast cancer wake up from having mastectomies looking essentially the same, or even better, than they did when they started.
I couldn't operate without my: Fun socks or hot pink OR glasses. As much fun as it is to have a job where you get to go to work basically in pajamas, on my OR days I like to wear something in bright colors too- my patients often make comments about my socks when I'm in doing their markings before surgery.
Dr. Anne Peled along with her husband, Dr. Ziv Peled (also a CSPS member)
The single biggest influence on my decision to become a Plastic Surgeon was traveling to Chile (where my mother is from) to do a rotation with a plastic surgery group as a 4 th year medical student. The surgeons I worked with were relentless in 2 things - convincing me that plastic surgery was the only discipline to follow, and demonstrating their knowledge of American profanity. They convinced me to change my internship selection to surgery and taught me to curse in multiple south American dialects.
Dr. Gallus spent time serving in Afghanistan. In the picture above, she is with an 8 year old patient of hers who she was responsible for revising his amputation. He had been an amputee since the age of three and he needed to have revisions done while he was still growing since the fibular bone grows past the tibia. Dr. Gallus credits the boy's family who took excellent care of him and sought out available medical treatment which is a challenge since resources are scarce in this area of Afghanistan.
Dr. Gallus on why she joined the CSPS: I am proud to have joined the CSPS. I believe it is critical to support our professional organizations locally and nationally. It wasn't until I joined that I was able to fully appreciate the work the CSPS members and staff accomplish on behalf of all California board certified plastic surgeons. The CSPS puts forth a tremendous effort in following the legislative and regulatory activity in our state and advocating for all board certified plastic surgeons. This is in addition to the top notch public and patient education that the CSPS provides.
Following are some interesting and fun facts about Dr. Rahim Nazerali, 2018-2019 CSPS Scientific Program Committee Co-Chair.
What keeps you in the CSPS?
CSPS has become my plastic surgery family. It is great seeing so many familiar faces year after year. Additionally, CSPS provides opportunities to my residents and medical students to get involved, encourages them to present and gets them publication opportunities which catapults their careers. The opportunity is incredible for them!
How and/or why did you get involved with the CSPS?
I first got involved with the CSPS when Dr. Michael Wong encouraged me to submit an abstract with him on facial pressure sores. He provided me with multiple opportunities to not only present at CSPS but subsequently get involved with leadership within the organization.
Dr. Smith (left) with her DSA KP Plastic Surgery Department