Unveils New Brand Identity Reflecting The Foundation's
Commitment to Advancing Aesthetic Research
VANCOUVER, BC, May 5, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The Aesthetic Foundation, formerly known as the
Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF),
proudly announces the election of Dr. Onelio Garcia Jr. "Oni", as its new President.
Dr. Garcia's appointment heralds an exciting chapter for The
Foundation as it continues its mission to improve the safety and
effectiveness of aesthetic surgery and medicine following a
successful rebranding earlier this year.
Previously recognized as ASERF, The Foundation underwent a
strategic rebranding initiative to align its mission and vision
with its evolving role in advancing safety standards and innovation
within aesthetic medicine. Now, as The Aesthetic Foundation,
it reaffirms its commitment to fostering collaboration, funding
groundbreaking research, and deploying cutting-edge technologies to
enhance patient care and outcomes. An official rollout of The
Aesthetic Foundation rebranding was unveiled at The Aesthetic
Meeting 2024 in Vancouver, Canada
this week along with a new website, TheAestheticFoundation.org. The
goal of the new website's design was to increase awareness about
the benefits of becoming a member of The Aesthetic Foundation. The
website provides information on how the funds contributed by the
members and donors are utilized. It also offers resources for
researchers, students, surgeons, and patients alike.
Dr. Garcia, a board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon based in
Miami, Florida brings a wealth of
experience and a dedication to patient safety. In recent years, he
has been integral to advancing the safety of gluteal fat-grafting
including publishing landmark findings "Brazilian Butt
Lift–Associated Mortality: The South Florida Experience"
in Aesthetic Surgery Journal which is cited in
improving the safety recommendations for gluteal fat-grafting. His
leadership is poised to guide The Aesthetic Foundation in its
renewed mission, building upon the strong foundation established
over 30 years ago as ASERF. One of his Presidential goals will be
to encourage all Aesthetic Society members to become members of The
Aesthetic Foundation, understanding that doing so signifies their
commitment to advancing the specialty and patient safety. Those who
join the "Beyond Club," committing to monthly donations, will
further support the efforts of The Foundation beyond their
membership.
"I am both honored and excited to help guide The Foundation in
my role as President," stated Dr. Onelio
Garcia Jr. "My belief in the transformative power of
scientific research to elevate our specialty and positively impact
patient lives fuels my commitment to leading The Foundation in this
pivotal time."
For three decades, The Aesthetic Foundation has been at the
forefront of advanced aesthetic research—making a profound
difference in the lives of countless patients and surgeons. During
the fourth quarter of 2023, money from all Foundation fundraising
directly supported a new initiative, the Breast Cancer Journey
Assistance Fund, raising over $52k
for breast cancer patients.
The Aesthetic Foundation funds trailblazing research, including
the first prospective, blinded study to compare women with
self-described Systemic Symptoms Associated with Breast Implants
(SSBI) to two control groups. The authors utilized biospecimens and
sought to investigate measurable differences between the cohorts to
help explain symptoms and point to potential causes. Aesthetic
Foundation-funded studies like these and many others have led to
powerful new recommendations for patients and surgeons.
Onelio Garcia Jr., MD, "Oni", is
a board-certified plastic surgeon who began private practice in
South Florida in 1985. He is
considered a surgeon of distinction and has served the plastic
surgery community for the past 30 years. Dr. Garcia participates as
part of the clinical faculty in the Division of Plastic Surgery at
the University of Miami helping to
train the residents in aesthetic surgery and currently serves on
the Board of Trustees of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons.
He has published numerous articles on body contouring surgery,
breast surgery and facial aesthetic surgery in the plastic surgery
literature. In addition, he has authored over 20 chapters on body
contouring and breast surgery in well-respected textbooks. His
textbook on Ultrasonic Liposuction was published in 2019.
He lectures frequently as invited faculty at national and
international plastic surgery conferences and is a past recipient
of The Aesthetic Society Tiffany Award.
Other newly named Aesthetic Foundation officers serving on the
Executive Committee are as follows:
President-elect: Patricia A.
McGuire, MD
Dr. McGuire is a board-certified plastic
surgeon and a native St. Louisan. She attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City for
undergraduate and medical school before doing a general surgery
residency at Jewish Hospital- Washington
University and plastic surgery at St.
Louis University. Dr. McGuire specializes in breast surgery
and body contouring. She lectures nationally and internationally on
cosmetic breast surgery focusing on safety and has numerous
publications in plastic surgery journals. Dr. McGuire is a
principal investigator for The Aesthetic Foundation sponsored
"Systemic Symptoms Biospecimen Analysis Study" the first
prospective, blinded study, with control groups looking at symptoms
that develop in women with implants.
Vice-President: David A.
Sieber, MD
Dr. Sieber is a graduate of Loyola University-Stritch School of Medicine and
completed a five-year residency in general surgery at Loyola University Medical Center. Board certified
by the American Board of Surgery, he then went on to complete an
additional three-year residency in plastic and reconstructive
surgery at the University of Minnesota
as well as a one-year aesthetic surgery fellowship at the
top-ranked University of Texas
Southwestern program in Dallas
under the mentorship of some of the most highly regarded and
world-renowned plastic surgeons. With this strong foundation, Dr.
Sieber went on to become certified by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery. To provide his patients with the best possible
care, Dr. Sieber is adamant about understanding and investigating
the latest trends and technologies in plastic surgery. He received
the award for best research paper during the 2015 calendar year by
the Aesthetic Surgery Journal editorial board and serves on
committees for The Aesthetic Society and The Aesthetic Foundation.
He is also a peer reviewer for both the Journal of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery as well as the Aesthetic Surgery
Journal. Dr. Sieber received the inaugural Frederic Brandt, MD Memorial Scholarship for his
commitment to the ongoing education and training of aesthetic
physicians.
Secretary: Rafael A. Couto,
MD: Dr. Couto is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive
surgeon in San Juan, Puerto Rico
that specializes in aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and
body. He obtained his doctorate in medicine (M.D.) at University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.
During his medical studies, he completed a clinical translational
research fellowship in lymphedema and vascular anomalies at
Children's Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical
School. After graduating from medical school, he underwent a
six-year integrated plastic and reconstructive surgery training at
Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland,
Ohio. He then completed a fellowship in advanced aesthetic
surgery and medicine at the University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas under the guidance of globally recognized
experts in aesthetic surgery and medicine.
Treasurer: Allen Gabriel,
MD: Allen Gabriel, MD, is a
Clinical Professor of Surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery
at Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California and in private practice
in Vancouver, Washington. He
completed his plastic surgery training at Loma
Linda University Medical Center followed by fellowship
training in Breast and Aesthetic Surgery with Drs. Maxwell, Fisher,
Haws, and Gingrass.
The Aesthetic Foundation works diligently each year to select
the best grant applications, as well as fund directed research
projects that will most greatly impact the sub-specialty of
aesthetic plastic surgery. If you would like to support the
mission, you may donate here.
The Aesthetic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
charitable foundation. Its mission is to improve the safety and
effectiveness of aesthetic surgery and medicine. For three decades,
The Foundation has championed philanthropy, supporting education,
and funding trailblazing research that enhances patient outcomes.
The Aesthetic Foundation is supported exclusively through dues of
member plastic surgeons and donations.
Media Contact:
media@theaestheticsociety.org
(562) 799-2356
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SOURCE The Aesthetic Foundation