The Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity program honors reconstructive plastic surgery patients whose lives were restored through reconstructive plastic surgery and whose charitable actions influence the lives around them. This award is supported by Mentor Worldwide LLC. ASPS members nominate patients who carry an optimistic outlook on life and positively affect people around them, despite the difficulties of their reconstructive procedures. Four extraordinary reconstructive plastic surgery patients are honored by ASPS at its annual scientific meeting.

The 2012 Patients of Courage Call for Nominations is Now Open
This year, to coincide with the breast reconstruction theme of Plastic Surgery The Meeting in New Orleans, the Patients of Courage program will honor four patients whose lives have been forever changed due to breast reconstruction surgery, and have since been using their experience to give back to others in need.

While without the aid of the most experienced and talented surgeons these patients wouldn't be thriving today, the heart of the Patients of Courage program emphasizes how the patients are making a difference in the community. Celebrating these patients during the Opening Ceremonies of Plastic Surgery The Meeting in October will set the tone for a meeting full of new breast reconstruction initiatives.

"It is only fitting that we honor four extraordinary breast reconstruction patients during Breast Cancer Awareness Month," said ASPS President Malcolm Roth, MD. "It's important for us to share the story of strong, female role models who conquered breast cancer, especially when seven out of 10 women don't know their breast reconstruction options."

Nomination Process
ASPS members are asked to submit a nomination letter about their patient. Please remember, an important part of this recognition is acknowledging, encouraging and fostering the charitable work the patients have supported as a result of the debilitating issues they have experienced. Members are asked to obtain patient consent with the ASPS HIPAA & story authorization forms in order to release the patient's information and photos. 

Nominations must include the following information for consideration:

• Patient name, age and contact information (address, phone, email for internal use only)
• Signed patient authorization forms
• Nomination letter not exceeding two pages that includes:
  • Short description of treatment
  • How patient successfully recovered
  • How patient turned her breast reconstruction journey into a positive life-changing experience
  • Detailed description of how the patient gives back to others in the community
• One current photo of the patient clothed (an additional photo of them participating in their charitable work is preferred.)

Please note, patients must have been treated and currently reside in the United States with the exception of U.S. military stationed abroad. Lengthy description of surgical treatment is discouraged. Nominees must be available to travel to New Orleans for Plastic Surgery The Meeting, October 25-30, 2012. Please email complete nominations to ASPS Senior Media Relations Associate Marie Grimaldi at mgrimaldi@plasticsurgery.org.

All member information is removed from entries prior to review by the Public Education Committee. While all nominees are truly considered patients of courage, only four are selected to be honored at Plastic Surgery The Meeting. Each nominee will receive a Certificate of Honor expressing gratitude for their hard work and encouraging values. Members whose patients are selected as honorees will be notified by July 16, 2012.

Nominations are being accepted through June 6, 2012. Follow