From the President

Robert M. Robert M. Blumm, MA, PA-C President-elect Wow! The APSPA Board of Directors has been quite busy since July. We have accomplished quite a bit for this organization, this premier organization, for Plastic Surgery PAs. Sometimes people or groups sit back and let life deliver whatever it chooses and consider it destiny. There is a more proactive stance that recognizes that "destiny is not a matter of chance but is a matter of choice." I am proud to be a small part of a group of leaders who want to desperately affect the destiny of this specialty group and their profession. They are energetic, young and demonstrate unbiased leadership and zeal. I would venture to say that they have been an example to me as their outlook is more positive when it comes to dealing with other organizations. These leaders are not wide eyed and gullible, they just believe in changing their destiny. And isn't that a great attitude?

 

When we look at the membership of our association, we are encouraged, as this represents a core of people that can make a difference. What really defines membership in an organization is supporting, encouraging, and believing in each other in order to make a difference. Epcot Center has a sign that stands outside of "The Land" that so eloquently states: "I may be only one person, but I am one person who makes a difference." This is a microcosm of your BOD and I sincerely hope that of all of our members share this belief.

 

In the past few months, many changes within our organization have occurred. For instance, our website, www.apspa.net, is evolving to improve information exchange for our members. Also, we were present at the ASPS Plastic Surgery 2007 Conference in Baltimore. The board has much to report and since they did the work, they will detail their accomplishments soon. But, one of the positive enhancements is the fact that they built organizational and corporate bridges. Leah will discuss the organizational bridges that have recently developed and "we" will speak generally about a great relationship with our first Corporate Sponsor, 3M. They are great and demonstrated confidence that APSPA is a group with which they can grow with: Together, we will make a difference. Additionally, we are hoping that Ethicon will also become a Corporate Sponsor and contribute to some of the pressing needs of this group. Our attitude as a board reflects the fact that corporate sponsorship also means that we will do all within our power to support these groups.

 

What is bridge building? APSPA members are ambassadors of the specialty of plastic surgery. We are in the business of building bridges so that our patients and our doctors can flourish. I have assisted in the "building of bridges" in the past, some from rope and some from logs - all with the purpose of making the bridge reliable and secure. Bridges are useless unless people have the courage to utilize them. Crossing some bridges requires a step of faith. We are building slowly and securely and therefore I am asking our partners, by way of this news blast, to accept the challenge to take the first step. We are building bridges of trust and co-operation and all parties, corporate and organizational, are walking forward, sometimes warily, but always forward.

 

I'm going to stop writing because I am getting excited and do not wish to write an epistle. I do wish to stimulate you to getting your colleagues to join us as we move forward, into the future, stronger and with a renewed vision. I invite you to become a contributing member in a variety of ways: write an article or discuss an interesting case for our new journal, notify us of upcoming conferences in your area, participate in our surveys, or promote APSPA membership to your colleagues.

 

Warmly,
Bob