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CREDENTIALS:
About Board Certification
Plastic Surgeon Credentials
National Plastic Surgery Specialty Societies
Anesthesia Credentials
Dr. Fernandez’s Credentials
Anesthesiologist’s Credentials - Anesthesia Options
Other Professionals who Administer Anesthesia
Surgery Center Accreditation


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CREDENTIALS

About Board Certification

The following information is presented to assist you in understanding the significance of the professional training of your Plastic Surgeon and Anesthesiologist. We hope that it will assist you in finding a properly qualified, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Take special care to research the qualifications of your Anesthesiologist, and also make certain the Surgery Facility is properly accredited.

Since 1933, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has overseen the standards for the sub-specialty Board Certification of physicians and surgeons. To date, over a hundred "boards" have been submitted to the ABMS for approval. However, only 24 American Boards have met strict educational and examination criteria for ABMS certification. They are as follows:
 
Allergy and Immunology, Anesthesiology, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Medical Genetics, Neurological Surgery, Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedic Surgery, Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat), Pathology, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Plastic Surgery, Preventative Medicine, Psychiatry and Neurology, Radiology, Thoracic Surgery, Urology.

Plastic Surgeon Credentials

  • A Plastic Surgeon who is certified by American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS) is certified by an ABMS approved board. The following rigid criteria must be met for an ABPS certification: graduation from an accredited medical school

  • Five years of residency (usually three years of general surgery followed by two years of plastic surgery residency)

  • Minimum of two years of post-residency practice

  • Successful completion of comprehensive oral and written exams

There are other physicians who refer to themselves as "Board Certified" to perform Plastic Surgery as well. However, not all "boards" are approved by the ABMS. Some other boards that are not ABMS approved are as follows:

  • Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

  • Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

  • Facial Cosmetic Surgery

  • Plastic Esthetic Surgery

  • Dermatologic Surgery

  • Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery

If you wish further information about the certification of your physician, please call the American Board of Medical Specialists at (800)776-2378 or conduct a physician search at their website, www.abms.org. Dr. Enrique J. Fernandez has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery since 1988.

National Plastic Surgery Specialty Societies

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
The ASPS comprises 97% of all physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Members of the ASPS are exclusively Plastic Surgeons that have been Board Certified in Plastic Surgery. ASPS members are qualified to perform Cosmetic and Reconstructive procedures--everything from liposuction to face lifts to intricate reconstructive microsurgeries.

The members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have met rigorous criteria for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Look for the ASPS symbol above when choosing a Plastic Surgeon. Visit the ASPS at www.plasticsurgery.org to find a listing of all its members.

Dr. Fernandez's colleagues voted him President of the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons, one of fifty state societies that comprise the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. As a member, he promotes quality improvement and scientifically validated standards of care.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
This society, founded in 1967, is the leading professional organization of Plastic Surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who specialize in Cosmetic Surgery. With only 1,900 members in the U.S. and Canada, this elite society is at the forefront of innovation in aesthetic Plastic Surgery around the world. Look for this symbol on your Plastic Surgeon's literature and other documentation. Visit the ASAPS at www.surgery.org for more information on members.

Dr. Fernandez is proud to exemplify excellence in his field as a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He has been recognized for his work in Cosmetic Surgery by being awarded the ASAPS Certificate of Advanced Education in Cosmetic Surgery. As a member of the ASAPS, he strives for the right of patients to be fully informed about the training and credentials of their doctors.

Anesthesia Credentials

For your comfort and safety, most surgeries require some type of sedation. The credentials of your Anesthesiologist are just as important as your Plastic Surgeon's. Anesthesiologists are also certified through the American Board of Medical Specialties. Ask about the credentials of your anesthesia administrator before your surgery. You can also check the accreditation of your Anesthesiologist by calling the ABMS at (800) 776-2378 or visit their website at www.abms.org.

Florida Plastic Surgery sm prides itself on a long, established tradition of using Board Certified Physician Anesthesiologists for all surgeries requiring general anesthesia as well as those requiring local anesthesia with intravenous sedation.

Dr. Fernandez’s Credentials

Dr. Fernandez is the founder of Florida Plastic Surgery sm which is located in Bradenton, Florida. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He earned his B.S. degree from Florida State University and his M.D. degree from the University of Florida. He then completed a five year residency in General Surgery at the Jacksonville Health Education Program-University of Florida. This was followed by a formal two year Plastic Surgery residency at the University of Utah Medical Center. In 1986, Dr. Fernandez began practicing Plastic Surgery in Bradenton. Dr. Fernandez's practice includes all aspects of cosmetic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery for skin cancer. He has an active family life and is involved in a variety of church, community and volunteer organizations. For years he has actively contributed to the promotion of legislation and policies intended to promote enhanced patient safety and quality of care in his field. Through his endeavors he has earned the respect of his peers in our state as well as nationally. This has been reflected through the years as he has been elected to leadership positions and entrusted with promoting the interests of our patients. He is an active member and has held leadership positions in the following organizations:

  • Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

  • Member, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

  • Certificate of Advanced Education in Cosmetic Surgery,

  • American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

  • President, Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons (2002)

  • Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons

  • Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery,

  • University of Florida College of Medicine

  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons

  • President, Manatee County Medical Society (1995)

  • Chairman, Dept. of Surgery, Blake Medical Center (1993)

  • Alumnus, University of Florida College of Medicine

  • Alumnus, Florida State University

  • Plastic Surgery Residency, University of Utah Medical Center (1984-1986)

  • Surgery Residency, University of Florida –JHEP (1979-1984)

  • AAAASF Surgical Facility Inspector

Anesthesiologist’s Credentials - Anesthesia Options

The administration of anesthesia is a critical element of your comfort and safety that we carefully seek to optimize. Much of that responsibility falls to the person administering the medications and monitoring your vital signs. You need to know the qualifications of the person assuming that responsibility. Their training can range from specialization after earning a medical degree (anesthesiologists), to specialization after nursing training (nurse anesthetists), or limited to nursing training only.

At the Florida Plastic Surgery Center sm, we have a long, established tradition of using anesthesiologists certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology for all surgical procedures performed under general anesthesia as well as local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. We select physicians who are experienced in the administration of anesthesia for cosmetic surgery in the outpatient environment. As physicians, our anesthesiologists provide additional specialty expertise intended to optimize your comfort and safety.

Other Professionals who Administer Anesthesia

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA):
A CRNA is an RN who has completed an additional two years of specialized training in anesthesiology. Their certification is also overseen by each state’s Board of Nursing. In contrast to an RN, a CRNA is able to administer general anesthesia.

Your Surgeon:
In some centers your surgeon may actually be the person administering the medications to make you drowsy during your surgery. In this case, your vital signs are usually monitored by a member of his staff, most often a nurse. It is important for you to know whether your anesthesia is administered by the plastic surgeon or an anesthesiologist.

Registered Nurse (RN):
Each state has its own Board of Nursing, but there is a great deal of common requirements between states. He or she is licensed to administer intravenous drugs at the direction of the surgeon and monitor your vital signs.

Surgery Center Accreditation

The American Association for Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) states: “As ambulatory or office-based surgery has become an increasingly significant aspect of the surgeon's practice, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPRS) determined that it was crucial to assure high standards not only for physicians through board certification, but for freestanding facilities in which 70 to 80% of them practice. Thus, in 1980, the Society established the American Association for Ambulatory Plastic Surgery Facilities (AAAAPSF) to design and operate a single specialty accreditation program for outpatient plastic surgery centers.”

“Based on inquiries by other surgical specialties, the AAAAPSF formed the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF) in 1992, to accredit other single-specialty and multi-specialty surgery facilities, owned and/or operated by American Board of Medical Specialties Surgeons (ABMS). These surgeons must be Board Certified in approved Surgical Specialties. The rigid requirements remain the same for each specialty and will include all standards, including tiered accreditation, Board Certification within the specialty being practiced, hospital privileges, including transfer privileges for the same procedures being performed within the ambulatory surgery unit and adherence to the appropriate laws and regulations governing ambulatory and office-based surgery units. The major difference between programs shall be the specialty list of procedures and the equipment necessary to perform the procedures.”

“Developed to assure verifiable quality care with definable standards, the program addresses ten aspects of the outpatient surgery center including: the facility's general environment; operating room environment; policy and procedures; general safety in the facility; blood and medications; medical records; quality assessment/quality improvement; personnel; governance and anesthesia.”

“It also provides standardized practice guidelines for the surgeon operating in single-specialty ambulatory surgical facilities.” 

Florida Plastic Surgery sm
2902 59th St. W., Suite A.
Bradenton, FL 34209
Phone: (941) 795-2088
FAX (941) 792-5139
Info@drefernandez.com