AAFPRS Awards Dr. Russell Kridel the Stephen C Duffy Award at Annual Meeting

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) awarded Russell W.H. Kridel, MD, FACS, of Facial Plastic Surgery Associates in Houston, Texas, with the prestigious Stephen C Duffy Award for Leadership, Health Policy and Advocacy.at the AAFPRS Annual Meeting in Nashville where world-class facial plastic surgery innovators and educators explored cutting-edge facial rejuvenation techniques.

The honor is awarded to the AAFPRS member who embodies the same tireless enthusiasm and commitment to health policy and member advocacy as Stephen C Duffy, former Executive Vice President of the AAFPRS. In his years at the AAFPRS and American Medical Association (AMA), Duffy exemplified a vigorous commitment to the political process and greatly influenced the profession's and the public's knowledge of the quality care that facial plastic surgeons deliver.

Dr. Kridel is First Recipient of the prestigious Stephen C Duffy Award for Leadership, Health Policy, and Advocacy

As a world-renowned and politically connected facial plastic surgeon for more than 25 years, Dr. Kridel is a worthy first recipient of this award. The depth of his experience and knowledge has led Dr. Kridel to be one of the most sought- after facial plastic surgeons in the country. He has published more than 100 scientific journal articles and book chapters on facial plastic surgery techniques and received the highest AAFPRS awards for surgical skill. Dr. Kridel has also been active in the medical-political arena for more than 20 years. As a tireless advocate for patients and physicians, he has held numerous leadership positions. Currently, he is a member of the AMA Board of Trustees. Dr. Kridel has also served as National President of the AAFPRS, as well as the president of the Harris County Medical Society and the Texas Medical Association Foundation. He served on the AMA Council on Science and Public Health for 7 years and was its chair. He is a clinical professor and director of facial plastic surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. "It is an incredible honor to be chosen as the first recipient of the Stephen C Duffy Award for Leadership, Health Policy, and Advocacy," says Dr. Kridel. "Steve's tireless advocacy for our specialty has brought us great recognition and respect. We must interface for our patients' sake with the government, with insurers, hospitals, legislators, and health care systems. We cannot leave the destiny of our patients and our health care system in the hands of those with neither a license to practice nor the education to provide patient care." Dr. Kridel received his award in Nashville at the AAFPRS Annual Meeting where world-class facial plastic surgery innovators and educators explored cutting-edge facial rejuvenation techniques. He is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery. http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/potm