ABHRS NEWSLETTER

Edited by: Melvin L. Mayer MD, Bernie Nusbaum MD, and Robert True MD

May 2007

AMERICAN BOARD OF HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY
CELEBRATES OUR TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Ten years ago, representatives from the ISHRS, the American Hair Loss Council, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery established their commitment towards a process which would measure physicians' fund of knowledge with regard to the safe and aesthetically sensitive practice of hair restoration. These founders selected a group of experienced and dedicated hair transplant surgeons who were committed to helping the profession to compose the first written and oral examinations which were administered in 1997. These original founders donated resources and countless hours to form this organization. They include: Jim Arnold, Dominic Brandy, Robert Cattani, Bernard Cohen, Shelly Friedman, Ray Konior, Matt Leavitt, Robert Leonard, Bobby Limmer, Carlos Puig, Daniel Rousso, Richard Shiell, Dowling Stough, Martin Unger, and Walter Unger.

Since 1998, with the generous help of Diplomates who have become members of the Board Examination Committee, a yearly oral and written examination has been developed and administered under the direction of a psychometric consultant. To date, 124 candidates have been certified representing 12 countries.

THIRTEEN NEW DIPLOMATES CERTIFIED
This year, the ABHRS welcomes thirteen new Diplomates to its ranks. We congratulate these physicians for completing the requirements, and successfully passing the oral and written exam this past January. They include Lawrence Wynn Andrews, Alan Bauman, Scott Boden, Maria Morales-Bournigal, Ronald P. Chao, Robert J. Dorin, Brian Goertz, Jae Heon Jung, Young - Ran Lee, Daniel McGrath, Paul Shapiro, Michael Vories, Sara Wasserbauer.

ISHRS RECOGNIZES ABHRS AS ITS EXCLUSIVE CERTIFYING BODY
Recently the ISHRS Board of Governors accepted the recommendation of the ISHRS/ ABHRS joint task force to recognize the ABHRS as their exclusive certifying body. This is a major step forward in the relationship between the two organizations recognizing the unique function that each serves. The ISHRS is the educational arm of the hair restoration profession and the ABHRS has the testing and certification responsibilities.

SAVINGS ON ABHRS DUES AVAILABLE WITH CREDIT CARD PAYMENT
The Board reluctantly voted to increase the annual sustaining dues to $500 per year. If payment is more than 60 days late, a 10% penalty is incurred. However, if one chooses to set up a credit card yearly billing program, the dues are $450 per year. The Board is doing everything possible to minimize expenses but we need to maintain financial integrity.

MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
In order to assure that Diplomates are keeping up to date with developments in our specialty, the ABHRS Board of Directors has implemented Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements for those previously certified by the Board. In addition, the Bylaws of the ABHRS, since its inception, have mandated the issuance of ten year limited certificates and recertification. The ABHRS Board of Directors has adopted a program which covers four main areas: 1. Maintenance of professional standing; 2. Commitment to lifelong learning (CME) and involvement in a periodic self assessment process; 3. Cognitive expertise (recertification examination); and 4. Practice performance assessment. Detailed requirements for each of these categories are listed on the website ABHRS.org.

CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION
Requirements to sit for the written and oral exam include current unrestricted MD or DO licensure. Three routes for certification exist:

1. EXPERIENCE ROUTE - Three years in the practice of hair restoration surgery with documentation of a minimum of 100 cases performed. Fifty operative reports must be submitted, of which, five must include before and after photos. Sixty hours of CME are required during these three years.
2. FELLOWSHIP ROUTE - One year fellowship, including assisting in a minimum of 100 hair restoration cases. This fellowship must be recognized by the ISHRS, ASHRS or the AAFPRS. Complete one year post fellowship in private practice during which 50 cases of hair restoration must be documented. Fifty operative reports must be submitted, of which five must include before and after photos.
3. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT ROUTE - Applicant must submit a minimum of four hundred case logs as primary surgeon in hair restoration surgery over their career. Again, fifty operative reports, five of which must be complete with before and after photos.

Applicants who do not meet one of the three above criteria may seek a CERTIFICATE OF ADDED QUALIFICATION (CAQ) by meeting the following criteria:

1. Attendance of at least two ISHRS meetings;
2. Attendance at ABHRS or ISHRS endorsed programs consisting of a minimum of 16 hours of live surgery workshop;
3. Submit case log of a minimum of 25 hair restoration cases as primary Surgeon; and
4. Successfully pass the written ABHRS examination.

Once the above criteria are met, the CERTIFICATE OF ADDED QUALIFICATION is awarded. Detailed qualifications, costs, and applications may be downloaded from ABHRS.org.

Initially the ABHRS required 300 cases performed over a three year period of time, but this requirement was changed to make the certification by the ABHRS attainable to more hair transplant surgeons.

Diplomates have their choice of a certificate which reads International Board of Hair Restoration Surgery or American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. Most choose the ABHRS certificate.

ABHRS MOURNS THE LOSS OF DAVID SEAGER
The ABHRS mourns the loss of one of our first diplomates and member of the ABHRS Board of Directors, David Seager. His dedication to idealism and the highest quality of hair transplant surgery was underscored by his commitment and support of the ABHRS. We will truly miss one of the giants in our field.

QUALIFIED HAIR SURGEONS ENCOURAGED TO SEEK CERTIFICATION
All qualified surgeons practicing hair restoration surgery are welcomed to participate in this certification process. It obviously requires some effort, but those who have completed the process can testify to the exceptional educational experience that it provides. It is our goal that this certification process not only benefits our profession, but more importantly, our patients and the consumer public.

The details of requirements and testing dates can be found at ABHRS.org.

YOUR HELP IS REQUESTED FOR FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
We are planning to publish the ABHRS NEWSLETTER twice yearly. Please email Melvin Mayer at mayer4sd4@aol.com with any information and ideas to include in future mailings. We want to communicate with our diplomates. Bernie Nusbaum and Robert True have agreed to edit the ABHRS Newsletter.