ASPS Coordinates State-Level COVID-19 Efforts

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ASPS has been working with its local, state and regional plastic surgery partners and the federal government to increase access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators, coordinate small business relief information and remove governmental barriers to allow plastic surgeons to assist in the fight against COVID-19.

As part of those efforts, ASPS President Lynn Jeffers, MD, MBA, FACS, hosted a Zoom meeting with 73 local, state and regional society leaders from across the country. That meeting allowed Dr. Jeffers to hear directly about challenges members are facing in different parts of the country and communicate ASPS's early efforts to build up its COVID-19 response. ASPS has developed a suite of resources to help members manage the crisis, including a website that houses ASPS webinars focused on telemedicine, employment law and managing plastic surgery practices through the crisis; guidance for plastic surgeons regarding the resumption of elective procedures; financial recovery resources; and a PPE and ventilator clearinghouse to help facilitate the front-line use of idle equipment.

This outreach payed dividends. ASPS collaborated with state plastic surgery and medical societies in Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and New York, at the request of those states' governors, to help direct supplies to localized needs. These efforts have been noticed and recognized at the federal level, as well. The PPE and ventilator clearinghouse, which coordinates with FEMA, was facilitated through conversations between the White House and ASPS.

Please continue to refer to PlasticSurgery.org/COVID19 for updates and resources for the duration of this pandemic. ASPS is committed to helping you continue your practice and protect your patients, staff and family from harm.