Every Miami plastic surgeon in the market will claim to have experience to perform even the most complex procedures, including breast enhancement, buttock augmentation, tummy tucks or facial surgery. But there’s more to selecting the right surgeon than looking at a billboard or Googling “Miami Plastic Surgeon.”
One of the most important credentials is Board Certification. This accolade is not to be taken lightly. Board Certification is bestowed by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. It connotes a deep, dedicated level of training. This physician has gone through an accredited residency program, completed the training, and sat for written and oral examinations, presenting his or her cases to a national board of plastic surgeons. Once completed and maintained with 50 hours of Continuing Medical Education credits each year, the plastic surgeon becomes and remains a member of a very elite organization from which any patient search for a plastic surgeon should look.
Next, look for a Miami plastic surgeon who is a member of the The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This group is the only organization for plastic surgeons trained in an accredited training program. Plastic surgeons must be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons to become members. They then pass through a rigorous screening process and must display their competence and expertise to become a member. Maintaining membership also requires 50 hours of continuing medical educational annually, presentation of relevant surgical case work every three years, and a written examination every 10 years. This is part of the maintenance of board certification protocol and meaning this is required to maintain board certification with the American Board of Plastic Surgery, but not to maintain status with ASPS – although surgeons must be board certified to be ASPS members.
With these two credentials, patients can be confident their plastic surgeon holds key credentials. Yet, it’s important to look even further. Inquire with area hospitals about whether your surgeon has privileges. Top-tier plastic surgeons will have Medical Staff Privileges at one or more reputable and accredited local hospitals. Privileges mean the doctor has met the hospital’s demanding criteria for professionalism and patient care.
Finally, ask about your physician’s medical school history. For example, Dr. Simon graduated phi beta kappa with honors from the University of Florida, as a pre-med student earning his Bachelors of Science in Psychology. He attended the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, graduating with honors in the top 10% of his class. He then performed five years of general surgical training, followed by two years of plastic surgery training, both at the University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital.
As for board certification, Dr. Simon is Double Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.