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American Society of Plastic Surgeons names Johnson president
At Plastic Surgery The Meeting, Debra Johnson, MD, was named president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, according to a press release.
Johnson, a private practice, board-certified plastic surgeon in Sacramento, California, joined The Plastic Surgery Center in 1989 as the first female plastic surgeon in the Sacramento area. Currently, she serves as vice president of health policy and advocacy for ASPS and is the co-chair of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) legislative committee. Her prior positions include past president of the Sacramento Society of Plastic Surgeons and former chief of surgery for Sutter Community Hospitals.
Debra Johnson
“Over the next year, I will lead ASPS in its ongoing effort to inform the public about the breadth of procedures in plastic surgery, as well as the overwhelming importance in seeking a board-certified plastic surgeon,” Johnson said in the release. “Plastic surgery is not just about enhancing aesthetics; it is about rebuilding people’s lives. The work I do all around the world has shown me that ensuring surgeons are highly trained and board-certified is paramount.”
Johnson’s philanthropic work includes dedicating at least 4 weeks per year to providing complimentary reconstructive surgery to patients in developing countries. As vice president of the CSPS Education and Research Foundation, Johnson works to provide free plastic surgery to needy children in California.
“I'm honored, as the second woman president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, to enter upon my presidency,” Johnson said to Healio.com. “I've always been proud of the work done by my colleagues in advancing patient safety and positive outcomes, and I'm eager to play an even more active role in leading us in that endeavor. I'm going to be standing on many shoulders this year, and I hope to leave a legacy equal to that of my predecessors.”
Editor’s Note: This article was updated Oct. 3 to include a quote from Johnson directed to Healio.com.