Dr. Eric Barbarite, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earned the highest score on the 2023 ABFPRS examination in Washington, D.C., and will be honored with the Jack R. Anderson Award for Scholastic Excellence at the AAFPRS Fall Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I was first inspired to pursue medicine as a career by my parents who are both healthcare providers,” relates Dr. Barbarite. “From a young age, I saw the rapport they formed with patients and the positive impact they had on others. As I grew older, I began to marvel at the complexity of human anatomy, which united my passions for science and helping others.”
Dr. Barbarite continues, “ I have always been drawn to the relationship between health and identity. My choice of a career in facial plastic surgery stems from a desire to positively impact the way people perceive and express themselves, which are essential to their identity and connection with others.”
To pursue his career aspirations, Dr. Barbarite attended medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and matched into an Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency at Harvard Medical School. During residency, he was fortunate to have incredible mentorship in facial plastic surgery from Drs. Robin Lindsay, Linda Lee, Dave Shaye, and Tessa Hadlock. Following his residency, he completed an AAFPRS fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University under the mentorship of Drs. Ryan Heffelfinger and Howard Krein.
Dr. Barbarite is now an Assistant Professor in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. His practice will consist of both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures that will focus on cosmetic facial surgery, functional and cosmetic rhinoplasty, facial reconstruction after cancer removal, and facial paralysis.
“I’d like to thank my family and mentors for their support, and Dr. Anderson and the ABFPRS for this tremendous honor,” concludes Dr. Barbarite.
Dr. Catherine P. Winslow, ABFPRS President, offered the following:
“Even though he is no longer with us, our specialty is incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Jack Anderson as an inspirational mentor to new and existing generations of facial plastic surgeons who continue to be guided by his commitment to providing the highest surgical outcomes for their patients. I know Dr. Anderson would be incredibly proud of Dr. Barbarite for achieving the highest score on the 2023 ABFPRS examination and the ABFPRS Board of Directors and I wish him every success as he advances his career and completes ABFPRS certification.”
The 2024 examination will be given June 29-30 in Washington, D.C. If you have any questions regarding future examinations or completing certification requirements, please feel free to contact the ABFPRS office by emailing: info@abfprs.org or calling (703) 549-3223.