Dear Members, Dear Friends,

 

The Year seems to have flown by quickly, and once again, we find ourselves at the end of an exciting period of growth and development for the EAFPS. The continuing achievements of the EAPFS would not have been possible without the resourcefulness of the General Secretary Abel-Jan Tasman, the unerring accountancy of the Treasurer Antonio Sousa Vieira, the exceptionally poignant guidance from the Chairmen of the Standing Committees and the National Delegates who skillfully turn the essential wheels and cogs of our engine. I would like also to express my grateful thanks to our secretary Ms. Gabi Behncke for her special dedication to our Academy.

Over the past 12 months,  Holger Gassner and the web-design team have successfully implemented major changes in the EAFPS website. These changes were announced in the 2010 Newsletter and have been functional since Spring of 2011. In addition to its slick design and excellent content, the website now offers improved search engine visibility of the  members and the ability to pay the annual retention fee on line, thereby simplifying the process of payment for old and new members.

The reputation of the EAFPS has been further advanced both at the European and international level. Despite our initial fears of involvement with Facebook, the experience so far has been positive, though not all encompassing. Ralf Litschel’s efforts in this particular regard have been gratefully noted.

The EAFPS has managed to strengthen its leadership core through personal commitment and a volunteering ethos by high-ranking facial plastic surgeons whose dedication to the Academy is only equaled by their excellence as surgeons and teachers. The secretarial and administrative support has been kept light and highly efficient. Experts in the field have concentrated on better definitions of our aims and objectives, ensured implementation of improvements in the Fellowship Program, and defined the selection criteria for teaching centers. An important aim for the future of the EAFPS consists of actions to resist attempts to limit the growth and practice of facial plastic surgery. Facial plastic surgery is currently a multi-specialty field of practice. Excellence in practice cannot be provided or claimed by a single specialty in a field of scientific and technological endeavor with a vast range of pathologies, treatments, and research.

The Rome Conference, (May 9-12, 2012) will provide an excellent venue for the dissemination of this fundamental message. The truly diverse and multi-specialty nature of facial plastic surgery will be represented by a large number of contributors from diverse backgrounds.

Furthermore, the Rome Conference will provide the opportunity for the EAFPS General Assembly for the election of the Executive Board. The General Secretary will send a letter to each of the EAFPS members about this issue, and also emphasize the importance of renewing annual memberships, attracting new members, and promoting the participation of national delegates. As the World struggles with massive economic problems, it has become imperative to maintain the quantity as well as the quality of membership.

Please ensure that your working calendar is left free for the Rome Conference, as it will provide the most important international gathering of surgeons and specialists in the field of facial plastic surgery to teach and interact with the delegates.

Despite all the economic problems faced by many people around the world, our Academy, based on the selfless efforts of its hardworking Executive Board, Standing Committees members, and National delegates, continues to grow, and provide its members the opportunities to offer their patients the highest level of best practice.

 Hoping to have you all on board in 2012 and welcome you all in Rome, I wish all of you, your families and friends, a very happy Christmas, and wonderful New Year.

 

 

Pietro Palma