Board Certification

The American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) is the agency that oversees sub-specialty boards.  More than 100 “boards” have been submitted for approval to the ABMS, but only 25 have met the strict qualifying educational and examination criteria.  These approved boards are as follows:

• Allergy and Immunology Orthopedic Surgery
• Anesthesiology Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat)
• Colon and Rectal Surgery Pathology
• Dermatology Pediatrics
• Emergency Medicine Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Family Practice Plastic Surgery
• Internal Medicine Preventive Medicine
• Medical Genetics Psychiatry
• Neurology Radiology
• Neurological Surgery Surgery
• Nuclear Medicine Thoracic Surgery
• Obstetrics and Gynecology Urology
• Ophthalmology

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only ABMS board that has traditionally overseen the training and certification of plastic surgeons.  The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) was organized in 1937, and in 1941 was given the status as a major specialty board.  ABPS certification means that the surgeon has completed undergraduate college, medical school and a minimum of five years of surgical training including a plastic surgery residency program.  Board certification then is obtained only after the candidate has passed rigorous written and oral examinations administered by experienced plastic surgeons.

You may call the ABMS at 1-800-776-2378 to see if the American Board of Plastic Surgery certifies your surgeon.  If you give them the name of the surgeon they will tell you if and when they were certified.

Don’t be confused or misled by the official-sounding boards and certifications.  Remember-in most states, it is legal for any physician who holds a medical license, with or without surgical training, to advertise as a plastic or cosmetic surgeon.

Certification by other boards does not give you the same protection nor does certification by a board other than the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Other boards have less strict certification criteria, do not include cosmetic surgery and some require only a fee.  Several of the boards, which have not been approved by the ABMS, are the following:

• Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Plastic Esthetic Surgery
• Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Dermatologic Surgery
• Facial Cosmetic Surgery Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery

Although they may sound official and geared toward cosmetic surgery those individuals who claim to be “certified” by these unapproved boards should not be confused with plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Dr.  Rodney Schmelzer is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the ASAPS and the ASPS, as well as, many other accredited organizations including: American Medical Association (AMA), American Society of Craniofacial Surgeons, The Plastic Surgery Research Council, American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, Utah Medical Society, and Utah Society of Plastic Surgery.  He has meet and exceeded the qualifications and requirements for Board Certification, making him a top choice as your Plastic Surgeon.

Consultation

You wouldn’t let your OB/Gyn or an Oral Surgeon perform your heart surgery so why would you let them perform your Plastic Surgery? As a qualified and reputable Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Schmelzer will provide the best consultation experience.   During your consultation, Dr. Schmelzer will examine you, explain his recommended approach to your surgery and may give you literature describing preoperative considerations and postoperative care. He will be happy to answer any questions you may have and to inform you of the possible risks and side effects associated with surgery. Talk candidly with Dr. Schmelzer as your surgeon, you should feel comfortable discussing your personal goals and expectations.  Your consultation with Dr. Schmelzer can be scheduled by calling his office in Salt Lake City at (801)447-1418.