The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) has awarded its Advocacy Challenge Coin to Elda Fisher, DMD, MD, director of the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program at the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry.
The Advocacy Challenge Coin was designed to recognize oral and maxillofacial surgeons who have made significant advocacy contributions on behalf of the AAOMS.
Fisher was recognized for her leadership of the Collaborative OMFS Virtual Inter-Institutional Didactic (COVID) Program, a joint effort of 55 oral and maxillofacial programs across the country designed to augment resident didactic training due to reduced clinical activity as a result of the pandemic.
Launched by Dr. Justine Moe of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, the COVID Program presented a series of 58 virtual lectures on oral and maxillofacial surgery that involved participants from more than 80 different programs.
“I was surprised and humbled to receive an award from AAOMS for the COVID Collaborative. The program was successful because so many experts in the field volunteered their time and knowledge to participate in this comprehensive series,” said Fisher.
“It just demonstrates the power of collaboration, technology, and the common interests we all have in delivering the high-quality didactic education to all OMS residents, not just those in our own programs,” Fisher said.
“When we collaboratively offer all residents access to the highest-quality expert lectures, we elevate the future of the entire specialty,” she said.
Fisher is board-certified through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in oral and maxillofacial surgery and through the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery in general cosmetic surgery.
Also, Fisher is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has lectured nationally and internationally on facial aesthetic surgery and corrective maxillofacial surgery. As a fellow of the AAOMS, she serves on the executive board for the special interest group in cosmetic surgery and is actively involved in the women in surgery clinical interest group.
Fisher is an active member of several professional organizations as well including the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Association of Women Surgeons, and the World Professional Organization for Transgender Health.
Fisher has a particular interest in facial gender affirmation procedures including facial feminization and masculinization surgery and in the use of injectable medicine as a compliment to facial gender affirmation.
“Dr. Fisher’s creation and leadership of the revolutionary COVID Program efforts for oral and maxillofacial surgery residents during the pandemic has been remarkable,” said George Blakey III, DDS, division of craniofacial and surgical care chair.
“She has always demonstrated a strong commitment to our residents’ education, and this program is a clear example of that dedication. We are pleased to see her recognized for those efforts by her peers and the national organization. It is incredibly well deserved,” Blakey said.
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