PLASTIC SURGERY

Q: Why is being boardcertified so important?

A:

I love what I have done for nearly 25 years and am gratified to have helped transform the lives of so many women and men, allowing their personalities, confidence, inner and outer beauty to blossom in ways they never could have imagined. But I terribly dislike when I meet patients who had terrible surgical experiences with other medical professionals, usually who were not board certified. This is why I constantly warn people to always verify their surgeon’s credentials, especially state board certification.

I worked very hard to become double board certified as both a general surgeon and plastic/reconstructive surgeon. Achieving even one board certification is a lengthy and rigorous process, involving many years of education and training. I have a degree in Biochemistry from Haverford College, and my MD with Distinction in Research at University of Rochester. My General Surgery certification is from The American College of Surgeons after completing a 5-year residency and passing written and oral exams with a Board Examiners. My second board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery came after another residency in Plastic Surgery at University of Michigan. The American College of Plastic Surgery requires submission of one year of surgical cases as a precondition to certification, an 8-hour written test, and a full day of oral board examination.

These are typical to become boardcertified, and these doctors must be regularly recertified in their specialties. This requires ongoing education and assessments, keeping up with new advancements, and demonstrating best practices relating to ethics, patient safety and communications. When it comes to your health and especially surgery, it is critical that your plastic surgeon is board certified. Dr. Paul Vanek M.D., F.A.C.S. Vanek Plastic Surgery 9485 Mentor Ave #100 Mentor, OH 44060 440-205-5750 www.MentorPlasticSurgery.com Accepting new patients for non-intrusive and surgical cosmetic and reconstructive solutions