December 17, 2022December 17, 2022

Select a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Scottsdale

Select a board certified plastic surgeon in Scottsdale when considering your plastic surgery procedure. Not all surgeons performing procedures such as breast augmentation or labiaplasty are board certified plastic surgeons, so it is important to understand the distinction.

What Makes a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

The process to become a board-certified plastic surgeon involves several steps:

Medical education: To become a plastic surgeon, an individual must first complete a four-year medical degree program.
Surgical residency: After earning their medical degree, a plastic surgeon must complete a surgical residency program. This typically lasts for five to eight years and includes training in various surgical specialties, including plastic surgery. A plastic surgery residency completed by a board-certified plastic surgeon provides comprehensive training in all aspects of plastic surgery including oncologic and traumatic reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, hand surgery, pediatric and craniofacial surgery, and aesthetic surgery.
Board certification: After completing their training, a plastic surgeon may apply to become board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The ABPS is a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and is recognized as the gold standard in plastic surgery certification.

Scottsdale Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ashley Howarth

Are all Plastic Surgeons Board Certified?

Not all plastic surgeons are board-certified. Board certification is a voluntary process that a plastic surgeon may choose to undergo to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to their profession.

To become board-certified, a plastic surgeon must have completed a surgical residency program accredited by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and must have a valid medical license. They must also pass a written exam and an oral exam administered by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

While board certification is not required to practice plastic surgery, it is a sign of a plastic surgeon’s dedication to ongoing learning and professional development, and is recognized as the gold standard in plastic surgery certification. Patients may choose to seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon as a way of ensuring that they are receiving the highest quality care.

The board certification process includes a written exam and an oral exam where surgeons demonstrate their knowledge and skills in plastic surgery. They must also meet ongoing continuing education requirements to maintain their certification. Not all plastic surgeons choose to pursue board certification, and some may have alternative certifications or qualifications. It is important for patients to do their own research and ask questions to ensure that they are choosing a qualified and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.

Why is Plastic Surgery Board Certification the Gold Standard?

Board certification in plastic surgery is important because it demonstrates that a plastic surgeon has met certain standards of education and training, and has been deemed qualified by their peers. Board certification is a sign of a plastic surgeon’s commitment to their profession and to providing the highest quality care to their patients.

Some of the specific benefits of choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon include:

Training and education to become a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Board-certified plastic surgeons have completed rigorous training and education in plastic surgery, including a surgical residency program and comprehensive exams.

Expertise and experience of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Board certification signifies that a plastic surgeon has demonstrated a high level of expertise and experience in plastic surgery. The board certification exam for plastic surgery consists of two parts: a written exam and an oral exam. The written exam covers a wide range of topics in plastic surgery, including anatomy, surgical techniques, patient care, and medical ethics. The oral exam is an interactive exam in which the candidate must demonstrate their knowledge and skills through a series of case presentations and questions from the examiners.

Patient safety

Board-certified plastic surgeons are committed to upholding the highest standards of patient safety. They are trained in the latest techniques and technologies to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients.

Professional credibility

Board certification is a sign of a plastic surgeon’s dedication to ongoing learning and professional development. Board certification signifies that the surgeon has met certain standards and has been deemed qualified by their peers.

It is important for patients to do their own research and ask questions to ensure that they are choosing a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon.

Dr. Ashley Howarth, Scottsdale Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Ashley Howarth is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Scottsdale specializing in breast, body, and facial plastic surgery. Recognized for her high attention to detail and compassionate care, Dr. Howarth is one of the most sought after plastic surgeons in Arizona.