PSN Extra

Remembering an innovator and legend of the specialty

By Jesse A. Taylor, MD, & Joseph M. Serletti, MD Monday, March 23, 2026

Linton A. Whitaker, MD, passed away Feb. 14 in Bryn Mawr, Penn., at age 89. Dr. Whitaker leaves an indelible imprint on the discipline of plastic and craniofacial surgery.

Remembering The PSF past President Thomas Stevenson, MD, 1946-2026

By Granger Wong, MD, DMD Monday, February 23, 2026

The PSF past President Thomas Stevenson, MD, passed away Jan. 23 at age 80. Dr. Stevenson was Professor Emeritus at the University of California-Davis and a longtime leader in the field of plastic surgery.

Remembering John Mulliken, MD, 1938-2026

By John G. Meara, MD, DMD, MBA; Bonnie L. Padwa, MD, DMD; and Kevin B. Churchwell, MD Thursday, January 22, 2026

John Mulliken, MD, a pioneering figure in plastic surgery, passed away Jan. 20 at age 87.

New leadership structure signals bold next chapter for PRS

Friday, January 16, 2026

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has named Samuel J. Lin, MD, MBA, to serve as the next Editor-in-Chief of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS). Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, has also been appointed to serve in the newly created, non-editorial position of Managing Director of the ASPS journal portfolio.

Colleagues pay tribute to ASPS past President C. Lin Puckett, MD, 1940-2026

By Edward Luce, MD Friday, January 16, 2026

Plastic surgeons are mourning the passing of ASPS past President Charles Linwood "Lin" Puckett, MD, who died Jan. 9 at age 85.

The Global Plastic Surgery Congress scheduled for May 27-29 in Buenos Aires

Thursday, December 18, 2025

The inaugural Global Plastic Surgery Congress (GPSC), featuring some of the specialty's leaders from around the world, will be held May 27-29 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

WHCRA: Past, present and the push for modernization

By Lauren McNulty & Alicia Billington, MD, PhD Monday, September 1, 2025

A small but transformative piece of legislation – the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) – was enacted in 1998 to safeguard care for millions of women. Although WHCRA was groundbreaking at the time, it was written in an era when breast reconstruction options were more limited. Today's advances in cancer treatment, reconstructive surgery and genetic testing have created scenarios not explicitly addressed when the law was enacted.

SHARE program helps secure operating microscope for Kenyan microsurgery program

By Paul Snyder Saturday, August 30, 2025

Thanks to a coordinated effort driven by ASPS members, microsurgery training – and practice – in Kenya is poised to go further than ever.

Remembering Aron Wahrman, MD, MBA, MHCDS: 1958-2025

By Michele Shermak, MD Thursday, August 28, 2025

ASPS member Aron Wahrman, MD, MBA, MHCDS, passed away Aug. 7 at age 67, leaving a huge hole in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

2025 ASPS Advocacy Summit shines light on WHCRA, ELSA and more plastic surgery priorities

By Elizabeth Corn Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Fifty-three ASPS members from 17 states expanded their role as advocates on July 7-9 when they attended the ASPS Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. The two-and-a-half-day event provided an opportunity for plastic surgeons to learn more about the state and federal legislative issues that impact plastic surgery practices and patients.