Dr Naveen Somia, President of Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has honoured the ASAPS Members who have volunteered their time during 2018 to take part in one of Interplast’s trips throughout the Asia Pacific.
“Our partnership with Interplast is highly valued by the ASAPS Board.
“Whilst financial donations are vitally important, the time our ASAPS Members take out of their busy schedules to spend in parts of their world where their skills and expertise are gravely needed, will no doubt leave a lasting impact.
“This year alone through the efforts of our members completing trips with Interplast, they contributed to close to 400 surgeries, saw more than 700 patients and provided countless hours of training throughout the Asia Pacific region.
“Volunteering with Interplast allows for the opportunity, not only to provide much needed surgery, but also to build-up the skills and capabilities of the local doctors and medical staff. This legacy will ensure that future generations are better equipped to deal with the medical issues faced by their community,” Dr Somia said.
ASAPS would like to thank the following Members for volunteering for one of Interplast’s programs during 2018:
| Name | City, Country | Dates |
| James Savundra | Vientiane, Laos | 4-17 February |
| David Morgan | Nuku’Alofa, Tonga | 21 February – 1 March |
| Graham Sellars | Nuku’Alofa, Tonga | 21 February – 1 March |
| Ian Holten | Port Vila, Vanuatu | 19-28 April 2018 and 13-21 September |
| Mark Duncan-Smith | Port Vila, Vanuatu | 19-28 April |
| John de Waal | Masbate, Philippines | 19 May – 2 June |
| Stephen Salerno | Yangon, Myanmar | 9-16 June |
| Mark Moore | Port Moresby, PNG | 23-30 June |
| Christopher Coombs | Colombo, Sri Lanka | 9-16 June |
| Simon Thomson | Suva, Fiji | 1-6 July |
| Zachary Moaveni | Honiara, Solomon Islands | 7-14 August |
| Benjamin Norris | Apia, Samoa | 2-8 September |
| Damian Marucci | Apia, Samoa | 2-8 September |
| Mansoor Mirkazemi | Suva, Fiji | 16-22 September |
| Mark Moore | Thimphu, Bhutan | 13-28 October |
| Bernard Carney | Thimphu, Bhutan | 13-28 October |
| Kevin Ho | Cagayan de Oro, Philippines | 3-16 November |
“You should be proud of your investment into the future of others and the opportunity you’ve taken to improve the lives of those who need it most,” Dr Somia said.
Ends
Media contact: Julia Power, National PR and Marketing Manager, 0414 276 990