Board Certification and Society Memberships
Dr. John Samas is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The Aesthetic Society, the American College of Surgeons, and the Colorado Medical Society. Each of these carries a different requirement, so here is what each one means.
American Board of Plastic Surgery
The certifying board for plastic surgery recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery follows completion of an accredited residency in plastic surgery and success in written and oral examinations set by the board. It is the credential that distinguishes a plastic surgeon from a physician of another specialty who performs cosmetic procedures.
Certification is maintained over time through the board's continuing certification requirements, which include ongoing education and periodic assessment.
Dr. John Samas, MD, FACS is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
The professional society for board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States.
Membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons requires board certification in plastic surgery and agreement to the society's code of ethics, which governs how members advertise, how they describe outcomes, and how they present patient photography.
The society also publishes patient education material and procedural guidance that members follow in day to day practice.
The Aesthetic Society
A society focused specifically on aesthetic surgery, formerly the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
The Aesthetic Society concentrates on cosmetic surgery of the face and body. Membership is limited to board-certified plastic surgeons and carries its own requirements for aesthetic surgical experience and adherence to the society's ethical standards.
The society supports continuing education and safety initiatives in aesthetic surgery, including the reporting of outcomes data by its members.
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
The FACS designation after a surgeon's name.
Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons is granted after a review of a surgeon's training, board certification, hospital privileges, surgical practice, and professional conduct. Fellows commit to the college's standards for ethical surgical practice.
The letters FACS following a surgeon's name indicate that this review has been completed and the fellowship is current.
Colorado Medical Society
Colorado's statewide professional organization for physicians.
The Colorado Medical Society represents physicians across Colorado and supports professional education, ethical practice, and patient care throughout the state.
Dr. John Samas, MD, FACS is a member of the Colorado Medical Society.