The American Society of Healthcare Publication Editors (ASHPE) has awarded the Aesthetic Surgery Journal article, “Report on Mortality from Gluteal Fat Grafting: Recommendations from the ASERF Task Force”, the 2018 Silver ASHPE Award for Best Special Report/Section.  The article appeared in Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 37, Issue 7, 1 July 2017.

Fat grafting is among the fastest-growing procedures worldwide. The authors collected data on morbidity and mortality rates from six hundred and ninety-two surgeons to determine and decrease potential risk factors of the procedure.  Lead author, M. Mark Mofid, MD, FACS, was delighted to hear that the article, co-authored by Steven Teitelbaum, MD, FACS, Daniel Suissa, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Arturo Ramirez-Montanana, MD, Denis C. Astarita, MD, Constantino Mendieta, MD, FACS, and Robert Singer, MD, FACS, was chosen to receive the award, “This was a herculean and multidisciplinary effort spearheaded by ASERF that brought together plastic surgeons, pathologists, statisticians, radiologists and investigative reporters to help solve a large and looming problem in our field.  There is no question that ASERF saves lives.  The authors sincerely hope that this article has made the practice of plastic surgery safer and has made a positive impact on the specialty.  A special thanks to Steve Teitelbaum, MD for his tireless efforts to promote the cause of patient safety, for his leadership of ASERF, for creating the task force, and for effectively ripping the door off its hinges when most others would have merely added a little oil to a squeaky joint.”

The Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF) is proud of the work done by these surgeons to support its mission of promoting safety and education for patients.  Expressing his excitement over the honor, Dr. Singer noted, “As evidenced by the discussions and Panel at the meeting, this article has made a significant difference with regard to the understanding and modification of the procedure which results in improved safety for our patients.  Education to elevate the safety of our patients should always be our main focus.”

Thank you and congratulations to the authors; ASJ Editor, Foad Nahai, MD; ASAPS Past-President, Daniel Mills, II, MD; ASAPS Executive Director, Sue Dykema; and ASJ staff, Phaedra Cress and Hunter Alexander, for their dedication to publishing this important article!