Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation Names New President

10/28/2003

From: Theresa Hill or Kathleen Corcoran of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 847-228-9900, media@plasticsurgery.org

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 28 -- Allen Van Beek, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, was today named president of the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation (PSEF), the research and educational arm of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Dr. Van Beek took office at Plastic Surgery 2003, the Society's annual scientific meeting, and will serve for one year.

Dr. Van Beek received his medical degree at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and completed residencies in general and plastic surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Ill., respectively. He served the United States Army as a flight surgeon in the 1st Air Cavalry Division during the Vietnam war from 1969 to 1971. While serving Dr. Van Beek developed an interest in microsurgery and later completed fellowships in hand and microsurgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Ky. Dr. Van Beek received his board certification from The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) in 1979.

"PSEF will focus on e-learning and e-communication during my tenure as president," said Dr. Van Beek. "Encouraging members to become electronically connected will allow for a continuous forum about new treatments, research, legislation and advocacy issues as it effects the future of plastic surgery. Exchanging information at the speed of light will ultimately provide for better patient care."

Dr. Van Beek has served on numerous committees for the PSEF and ASPS and has served as the Associate Editor of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, the ASPS scientific monthly journal. In addition, he has been an active member of more than a dozen professional associations including the American Association for Hand Surgery, the American College of Surgeons and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. Dr. Van Beek has also served as president of the Minnesota Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Southern Minnesota Medical Association, the American Association for Hand Surgery, the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery and the American Society of Peripheral Nerve. He has published more than 50 scientific articles.

Dr. Van Beek serves on the staff of North Memorial Medical Center, Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Children's Hospital, the Allina Hospitals & Clinics, and for Fairview Health Services.

Dr. Van Beek, 60, resides in Edina, Minn., with his wife Sharon. He has three children: Gregory, 32; Troy, 26; and Jeremy, 26.

ASPS, founded in 1931, is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world and the foremost authority on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. For referrals to ABPS-certified plastic surgeons in your area and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, call the ASPS at 888-4-PLASTIC (888-475-2784) or visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org.