CONVOCATION

Following is an excerpt from Dr Hodgkinson's speech:

"The pioneers of Cosmetic Surgery have come from many medical specialties. The role of plastic surgeons in our field is commonly recognised, but where would we be today as a field if we had not adopted developments in rhinoplastic surgery by otolaryngologists, laser by dermatologists and blepharoplastic surgery by ophthalmologists, only to name a few obvious examples?

The diversity and complexity of this field cannot be the domain of individual specialties. To best serve our patients and the science of medicine, we must learn from one another and resist the hubris of believing that any one of us can treat each and every patient that presents to us as individual practitioners.

Our college, The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery, reflects the development of cosmetic surgery itself and by including and recognising all the specialties that made the discipline what it is today, we increase the potential in the field for developments as well as refinement.

This college is a vital institution whose role it is

to promote education and cross-fertilisation amongst fellows and members. The College needs to be a forum where we learn not only what we can do but also what we should do. In an age where technology leads to new and ever-changing procedures, instrumentation and products, we have corporations beating their way to our doors, encouraging us to sell on to our patients that which they would like to sell to us. In this environment of confusion as to what is medicine and what is hype, it is imperative to have a body that assumes the parental role of being a voice of sanity and logic in its industry.

We must always remember that cosmetic surgery is "wellness medicine" and in so much is a service as well as a commodity in the public's eye. To the majority of the public, one unethical practitioner brings the whole of our profession under negative scrutiny, whereas each responsible practitioner expands the proportion of the community that is supportive and potentially interested in our profession.

Membership in such a college as ours is an affirmative statement that you as a professional are dedicated to quality, ethical and responsible practice. It is a statement that you as a practitioner understand the benefits of sharing both vetted surgical and patient management techniques as well as potential pitfalls to your fellow practitioners to enhance not only your skills but the overall levels of patient care throughout Australian cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery is an exciting field to be a part of. It is a field that continues to grow at a rate faster than the rate of practitioners entering into it. There is no need for proprietary attitudes in our field, but there is enough room for each and every one of us to grow together in our capacities and intellectual curiosity while still doing our utmost to serve the public."