It’s the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world!
Dr. Steven Williams has made a name for himself in the world of plastic surgery, AfroTech reports. Patients regularly visit his Dublin, CA based practice, looking for cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries by skilled professionals. Williams said he was initially drawn to plastic surgery because of its challenge, his business, Tri Valley Plastic Surgery scaling tremendously in recent years.
“I found plastic surgery to be the most challenging of all medical professions. It encompasses creativity, technical excellence, the spirit of innovation, and the ability to serve patients of all ages and medical concerns,” explained Williams.
Williams has also served on the board of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) for the last 15 years, working as vice president of membership, overseeing patient safety initiatives, bringing together the plastic surgery community, and heading the DEI committee. Now he has made history, appointed as the first Black president of the ASPS in its 92-year history.
“Any time there is a first moment in history, it is an important time and sets a new milestone. It also sets a new goal for others to overcome. The ASPS has been around for almost 100 years. It is only recently that we have seen an increase in diversity that reflects the diverse populations make up of our specialty and that of our patients. It is a small step, but it promotes a productive conversation, and I hope it inspires others to take leadership roles,” Williams told reporters.
He credits his parents and plastic surgery professors for helping him to get to this point and planting the seed of determination within him. In his new role, Williams will look to increase diversity and accessibility to plastic surgery, while promoting more conversations that provide clarity about plastic surgery as the demand continues to skyrocket.
“Social media has accelerated the acceptance of plastic surgery. Generally, greater connections between people is a positive thing. However, it’s important to recognize that social media also has a corrosive effect when it comes to self-worth, especially among young teenage girls. While the benefits of connecting and being able to find information about plastic surgery is incredibly powerful, it must be balanced with the understanding that social media often presents an unrealistic picture about what life is and what we all are individually,” said Williams.
He hopes to continue the organization’s efforts as president, promoting inclusivity and implementing innovative technological initiatives to increase resources for ASPS members like he has done at his private practice.
“Our practice stays abreast of the latest technologies in terms of treatments, devices and techniques to serve our patients. Additionally, because of my technology background, we are active in designing a software platform that increases our ability to work with patients and provide timely answers. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is also very active in this field, and I look forward to continuing to use my experience to further their initiatives of patient safety, patient education, and improving the quality of care,” Williams explained.
Congratulations Dr. Williams!
Cover photo: Dr. Steven Williams makes history as first Black president of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons