The Aesthetic Society has elected Austin-based plastic surgeon Jennifer Walden, MD, as the new president of the 2,200 active-member organization dedicated to aesthetic plastic surgery. As the first female president of The Aesthetic Society, Walden and her leadership team will focus on advancing The Aesthetic Society’s global relationships, as well as its diversity and inclusion.
“I am looking forward to serving The Aesthetic Society as its first female president. Born in 1971, I believe it was Title IX that set the stage for me as a young girl. I was able to play sports like the boys did and developed an appreciation for competition, teamwork, victory, and defeat—with all the lessons learned therein,” says Walden.
She adds, “This year I would like to honor the 55th anniversary of The Aesthetic Society, and the 50th anniversary of Title IX that leveled the playing field in the classroom and for myself and many other women. The face of plastic surgery is changing—nearly 54% of American medical students are women—and I look forward to preserving its culture of meritocracy while inspiring others who may think they don’t have access.
“Becoming the first female president is a fantastic achievement, but what matters most is that I am a board-certified aesthetic surgeon who will work to advance The Aesthetic Society into the future,” Walden concludes.
Walden plans to promote diversity through building relationships with the society’s global partners, and with its colleagues in the core specialties. Another key pillar of Walden’s presidency will be to modify access to The Aesthetic Society in an effort to reach younger surgeons in the specialty.
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Walden is formally fellowship-trained in Aesthetic Surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital with a specialization in cosmetic surgery of the face and nose (rhinoplasty). She founded her business Walden Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center and operates in her own fully accredited operating suite at Westlake Medical Center.
Moreover, she has a full-scale cosmetic surgery practice and two medical spas in Austin (The MedSpa Austin in Westlake and The MedSpa at NW Hills), as well as a medical spa in New York City’s Midtown (Skintology MedSpa by Dr. Jennifer Walden), with another location opening in Tribeca this summer.
Other newly named Aesthetic Society officers serving on the executive committee include:
President-Elect: Melinda J. Haws, MD, of Nashville, Tenn., has been a member of the society since 2006. She is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Haws established The Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville with Mary Gingrass, MD, in 2002. She is a member of the medical staff at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital.
During her tenure with The Aesthetic Society, Haws has most recently served on critical task forces including chair of the Breast Implant Illness Task Force and co-chair of the FDA Breast Implant Hearing Task Force, and the Communications Commission.
Vice President: Kiya Movassaghi, MD, FACS, has been a member of the society since 2006. Based in Eugene, Ore., Movassaghi came to Eugene in 2002 after 14 years in Boston where he completed his medical and surgical training at Harvard Medical School. His practice focuses on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. A 1995 graduate of Harvard Medical School, Movassaghi completed a three-year plastic surgery residency at the Harvard Combined Plastic Surgery Program.
Prior to that training, he completed a residency in general surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School. He also received his DMD at Harvard Dental School, where he graduated magna cum laude. He followed this degree with a residency in maxillofacial surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Movassaghi is a cinical assistant professor of plastic surgery at Oregon Health & Science University’s School of Medicine in Portland. He is well versed in the latest techniques including laser and endoscopic procedures with minimal scars and has authored numerous publications in leading scientific and plastic surgery journals.
Treasurer: Tracy Pfeifer, MD, is a double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic plastic surgery. She opened her Upper East Side Park Avenue practice, now on 5th Avenue, in 1999, fulfilling her dream of a boutique aesthetic surgery practice delivering personalized care and exceptional results, in order to help women feel their very best. Pfeifer opened her second office location in the Hamptons in 2011.
Secretary: Jamil Ahmad, MD, is a plastic surgeon and the director of research and education at The Plastic Surgery Clinic. Ahmad is known for his natural results after cosmetic surgery and is sought after for his expertise in rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation procedures, breast surgery, abdominoplasty, body contouring after weight loss, liposuction, fat transfer, and revisional aesthetic surgery.
Ahmad is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and enjoys privileges at the University Health Network, as well as Women’s College Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital.. Ahmad is the only plastic surgeon in Canada to complete his plastic surgery residency training at the department of plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. In addition, he completed a fellowship in breast reconstruction at the University of Toronto’s division of plastic and reconstructive surgery.
