President’s Letter Milomir NINKOVIC, EURAPS President
It is a great honor and privilege to be the President of The European Association of Plastic Surgery (EURAPS) and I would like to thank everyone for supporting and rewarding me with this prestigious position.
30 years ago, EURAPS, was founded with the aim of promoting the excellence in the world of Plastic Surgery, stimulating research, clinical work and investigation; as well as coordinating various forms of education and to preserve the unity of Plastic Surgery, by illustrating its different aspects. Now, the mission of EURAPS is to maintain high standards of education in all fields of plastic, reconstructive, craniofacial, hand and aesthetic surgery.
EURAPS’ cooperation with her sister associations has proven to be very successful, especially with the American Association of Plastic Surgery (AAPS). The main goal of EURAPS remains to continue its position as one of the most advanced, respected Associations of Plastic Surgery worldwide continuing to expand its cooperation with others.
From 1993 I supported the development of EURAPS and had the opportunity to work with the first President of EURAPS, Prof. Hans Anderl from Innsbruck. In 1996 I was one of the local hosts of the EURAPS Meeting in Innsbruck, which was a scientific and financial success that allowed the birth of the Hans Anderl Award. It was my privilege to be the first recipient of the Executive Board of the Hans Anderl Award.
In 1997 I was awarded with the best clinical paper award, and then became a member of the association.
I am pleased to say that we have achieved a lot over the years and have optimized the admission to EURAPS, which has simplified the attendance to the annual meetings. Future goals, will be spreading the spirit of EURAPS among the new generations in all European and national societies of the world.
I would ask all members to work on the positive aspects of increased membership and spirit of EURAPS in their national society. The younger generations will bring new ideas and innovations for further progress and modernization of our association.
It is a great pleasure for me to work with both, the Secretary General, Prof. Dr. Fabio Santanelli di Pompeo, and the Secretary General elect, Prof. Dr. Jan Vranckx supported by all the members of our Executive Committee, and other EURAPS’ members.
This new team asks for the pursuit of EURAPS’ prosperous development and progress.
It is well known that EURAPS Meetings offer a great opportunity for us all to increase our knowledge, meet up with friends and colleagues, old and new ones, and it is, the ideal occasion to prepare for fruitful scientific co-operations in the field of plastic surgery.
Last EURAPS Annual Meeting in Helsinki, hosted by Sinikka Suominen and the ERC Annual Meeting hosted by Virve Koljonen and Susanna Kauhanen, have been confirmed a great scientific, and social success, with more than 380 delegates coming from 31 countries. I am so proud that the ERC Meeting, which started in Munich in 2012 hosted by me and Günther Machens, showed a large development.
Looking ahead, it is a pleasure to invite you all to the 31st EURAPS Annual Meeting in Athens on May 28/30,2020 and to the 9th ERC Annual Meeting on May 27/28,2020; where our hosts , Prof. Nikolaos Papadopolos and Dr. Dimitris Dionyssiou will organize an exciting Meeting with the Southern European hospitality and charm. The scientific program will focus on the latest developments in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, especially in the multidisciplinary setting of regenerative medicine from diagnosis to state-of-the-art of less invasive treatment approaches.
This meeting will be offering new insights, presenting itself as a platform for scientific exchange and discussion.
I would like to thank everyone involved with EURAPS, and further supporting its development, and a special thanks to those organizing the EURAPS Meetings and sponsors for their constant support, enabling us to organize such a meaningful conference.
I look forward to meeting you all in May 2020.
Yours sincerely,
Milomir Ninkovic
