“The ABFPRS examination and application process underscore the integrity and high standards that serve as foundations for our specialty.” Gregory H. Branham, M.D.
“Back when I started my residency at the St. Louis University Medical Center, having the option to train in an active facial plastic surgery program was a game changer for me. Those early experiences and exposure to the specialty quickly convinced me that facial plastic surgery should be my career path. I joined the AAFPRS as a resident and particularly enjoyed being able to go to the meetings and learning so much from the presentations and the video library. I was struck by how collegial and friendly everyone was and how the leaders really encouraged me to pursue facial plastic surgery,” confided Dr. Branham.
“Underscoring my conviction that I had chosen the right specialty, one of the happiest days of my life was getting the phone call from Dr. Regan Thomas, congratulating me on matching as his fourth fellow at Washington University in 1989. What an amazing time that was! I learned so much about how to interact with and care for patients, along with the technical aspects of facial plastic surgery. I am extremely proud to be a part of the facial plastic surgery lineage that began with Dr. Eugene Tardy, who trained Dr. Thomas, who in turn trained me, and, in turn, I was then gratified to be able to follow their example and pay it forward to train the next generation of facial plastic surgeons. As the fellowship director at Washington University, I have had the privilege to continue that legacy and I have trained 13 fellows so far along with my fellow faculty members in the division.”
“My fellowship culminated in sitting for the ABFPRS in 1990. Because the ABFPRS was new, and no one could be ‘grandfathered,’ anyone wishing to achieve ABFPRS certification had to successfully complete the exam. I’m happy to report, I passed! As a new diplomate in 1993, I was asked to serve as a guest oral examiner. I thought I was nervous before taking the examination, but serving as an examiner that first time was almost as angst inducing as taking the exam. I recall the apprehension and immense sense of responsibility I had when it fell to me to examine some of the leaders in the field that I admire, including Dr. Bob Kellman, who won the Jack Anderson Award that year. To me, having someone like Bob Kellman, who was already known for his many contributions to the specialty, submit an application and take the ABFPRS exam only underscored the integrity and high standards that serve as the foundation for the ABFPRS,” Dr. Branham emphasized.
Dr. Branham continues, “At that time, many otolaryngology departments had recognized the value of having full time dedicated academic faculty in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. I was fortunate to fill the first role of Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at Saint Louis University. At that time, the specialty was struggling for recognition by credentials committees and was being actively opposed by other competing specialties. To fight for our legitimacy and counter local opposition, I, along with my colleagues, formed the Facial Plastic Surgery Society of Saint Louis. In banding local facial plastic surgeons together, we sent a clear message that we were, as Bob Simons likes to say, ‘Here to Stay.’ By actively engaging with the local medical community and serving on the Saint Louis Metropolitan Medical Society, we were able to demonstrate that we desired collegial relationships, as well as influencing and shaping acceptance of facial plastic surgery at the local level. In 1994, the Facial Plastic Surgery Society of Saint Louis was asked to become a sponsoring organization of the ABFPRS. “
“I have had the privilege of being in academic facial plastic surgery my entire career and have enjoyed the responsibility of teaching and training residents and fellows in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for 33 years…. so far. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to lead the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Washington University for the last 20 years. This is where I did my fellowship and to be able to fill the position that my great friend and mentor, Regan Thomas, held before me is gratifying beyond measure. I owe a special debt of gratitude for his guidance and mentorship over the years.”