The Plastic Surgery Foundation Names Texas Physician New President

NEW ORLEANS – The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF), a leader in plastic surgery research, has named Charles N. Verheyden, MD, PhD, as its new president. Dr. Verheyden, a professor of plastic surgery at Texas A&M University Medical School, assumed the role today at Plastic Surgery The Meeting, the annual scientific and educational conference held by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Founded in 1948, The PSF's mission is to improve the quality of life of patients through research and development. The Foundation supports research through a variety of grants, clinical trials networks, training programs and forums that encourage innovation in medical devices and techniques.

"The PSF not only provides grants to various researchers, but it also launches its own research initiatives," said Dr. Verheyden. "The Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day campaign is an example of how The PSF is taking the lead in raising money for research to help women, while enlisting the support of the plastic surgery community and the public."

The PSF also supports plastic surgeons who volunteer abroad to help those in need of reconstructive plastic surgery and to foster international outreach. Over the next year, Dr. Verheyden will engage the public through new campaigns that will highlight both the scientific and humanitarian work being done by The PSF. Programs like Volunteers in Plastic Surgery (VIPS), which facilitate plastic surgeons' work in developing countries around the world, represent "the heart of plastic surgery," he said.

Dr. Verheyden, who also serves as the director of the division of plastic surgery at Scott & White Healthcare, a non-profit collaborative health care system that serves as the primary medical teaching facility for Texas A&M University College of Medicine, has been practicing since 1981. He graduated from the University of Texas with an MD and PhD before attending the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minn., to complete residencies in surgery and plastic surgery. Dr Verheyden acquired his board-certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery in 1981 and became a member of ASPS the same year.

Since 2008, Dr. Verheyden has served on the board of directors for both ASPS and The PSF. He also served as the chairman of several ASPS and PSF committees. In addition to serving in numerous other capacities for both organizations, he served as the associate editor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the premier scientific medical journal in the field. Dr. Verheyden served as president of the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons from 1999-2000, the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons from 2010-2011 and is a director of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Verheyden is a widely published author whose research has appeared in the leading scientific journals of his field. He lives in Texas with his wife Gale. They have four children.

Reporters can register to attend Plastic Surgery The Meeting, or arrange interviews by contacting ASPS Public Relations at (847) 228-9900, media@plasticsurgery.org or in New Orleans, October 26-30, at (504) 670-4242.