History and Vision- A Formula for Success
Robert M. Blumm, MA, PA-C President-elect

APSPA History causes us to look back to our very roots and to observe our progression from infancy to maturity. The history of this organization has been shaped indelibly by its past leadership. They demonstrated a commitment that few have the ability to recognize. "There is something rare, something finer far, something much more scarce than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability." - Elbert Hubbard

I vividly remember meeting with two young PA's who found their niche in their love for plastic surgery. They were bright, enthusiastic and filled with energy. They wanted to resurrect a group that had a slow start and to make it a real functioning body within the surgical congress. At the time I was the chairman of the surgical congress of the AAPA and I both recognized their zeal and passion as well as my own desire to expand the congress. I had been a plastic surgery PA for more than 26 years then and thought of the fulfillment that could be had if our colleagues in this sub specialty could have a dedicated group to continue to inspire them and if they could assume the responsibility of inspiring each other. The professional marriage of Leah and Sandy created the foundation for the growth of this organization. Their dedication and ability to sacrifice and plan made this into an official specialty group of the Academy and their undying commitment to the members sustained this group for almost six years. Finally, not from exhaustion, but from an intuitive ability, they decided that they could trust their vision to other members. They will not be sleeping but will always be available for consultation and Leah will be an immediate past president that remains as involved as she ever was.

At this tenure I have been asked to continue to promote the vision and to create enthusiasm for the goals that all of the new officers have. I will have a short term as president in comparison to Leah who almost deserves the title, Queen. I have been in this leadership position many times in my past and my passion is to sustain an organization, inspire my colleagues and lastly, to grow leaders. Hopefully, I will win your support and all of these goals can be accomplished. I want to set the foundation that creates your next three presidents. I desire to share my own passion and to serve as a voice of experience, but a voice that is tempered by my colleagues on the board. I have been illuminated to their interpretation of support given by certain Academy staff and the dispelling of negativism as they have utilized the tools and the process to grow personally as leaders. Jack Welch, Author of Winning and a former CEO said; "nothing matters more in winning than getting the right people on the field. All the clever strategies and advanced technologies in the world are nowhere as effective without great people to put them to work." At the end of the day, as we have discovered by looking into our history, the right people ate the right time are the key to the growth of a company, an organization and a culture of leadership. You are the new people on the field and your commitment is now necessary to fulfill the mission.

What is the foundation needed by our members for growth:

Leadership in my opinion has always been servant hood. I am submitted to my new board and our board will be submitted to you as the membership. I desire to serve this group and to leave it stronger than it was when I first entered it. This is the goal of all leaders. I will go on to full time Administration and for the next couple of decades many of our members will be on the path to being the recognized experts in this specialty. Our current need is to find more leaders, involve far more people in the activities of this group, train new leadership and have a brain storming idea committee and then dedicated members who can change ideas into reality. You are the most important part of this effort and we earnestly ask you for a commitment to this vision of our future. On behalf of the new board of directors and officers of APSPA we welcome your involvement. The Association of Plastic Surgery Physician Assistants represents physician assistants who work in the field of plastic surgery. There are over 200 PAs working in plastic surgery all across the United States. Physician assistants in plastic surgery work for private and group practices, for hospitals and even for the state and federal government.