PAAFPRS Legacy
FOUNDING PHILOSOPHY
A VISION BORN FROM FRIENDSHIP AND PURPOSE
The Pan Asia Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PAAFPRS) was not just founded, it was envisioned. It emerged from conversations between friends and pioneers of facial plastic surgery, Dr. Wayne Larrabee and Dr. Joseph Wong, who shared a simple but profound belief, that Asia’s facial plastic surgeons deserved a unified platform for excellence and education, rather than isolated expertise. They recognized a vital gap in Asia, brilliant surgeons working in isolation, without the organizational structure to amplify and showcase their talents and skills.
As President of the AAFPRS, Dr. Wayne Larrabee initiated the formation of the International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgical Societies (IFFPSS), aspiring to globalize excellence in the speciality. Together, they laid the foundation for PAAFPRS, an inclusive, dynamic society built on mentorship, scientific advancement, and cross-cultural collaboration.PAAFPRS mission was to uplift an entire specialty. by fostering a sense of community. Not just to teach, but to connect. Not just to train, but to inspire. PAAFPRS is a promise that we can grow together as one global family.
BUILDING THE FRAMEWORK FOR A NEW COMMUNITY
The vision was clear, but making it a reality required a strong and credible foundation. The founders knew that for PAAFPRS to truly unite surgeons across borders, it needed a solid and trusted base. To build this, the academy was first established in Canada, where an efficient legal framework allowed it to gain its footing and momentum. The long term goal was always to move closer to its core community and gradually, the academy transitioned to Hong Kong, a natural hub that offered trust, accessibility, and connectivity for a growing network of facial plastic surgeons across the region.
BUILDING PAAFPRS TOGETHER
KEY MOMENTS & MILESTONES
FOUNDING CONTRIBUTORS
Early board members David Ellis and Ken Dubeta played a pivotal role in shaping the foundational bylaws and structural framework of the organization.
INFLUENTIAL SUPPORTERS
Educators who laid the foundation for collaboration across borders, including Willam Wei, Tuan Pham, Sandeep Uppal, Ria Trimartani, Le Hanh, Steven Lo, Frederick Wong, Caeser Villafuerte, Johnathan Sykes, and Choladhis Sinrachtanant.
NOTABLE CONGRESSES & MEETINGS
2010
Yantai, China
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Inaugural PAAFPRS meeting, setting the vision for a pan-Asian association.
2011
Hong Kong
Organized by Dr. Gordon Soo, featured global
faculty
and
high-impact presentations.
2013
Mumbai, India
Chaired by Dr. B. Baser, a landmark gathering with global faculty and record attendance.
2011
Chengdu, China
Chaired by Dr. Li Shirong, the meeting announced 169 new members, bringing the total to 400.
2013
Hangzhou, China
In conjunction with the Chinese Soc. of Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery, cementing global connections.
2014
Seoul, South Korea
Chaired by Dr. Yong Ju Jang, the meeting
strengthened
ties across the region.
2010
Yantai, China
Inaugural PAAFPRS meeting, setting the vision for a pan-Asian association.
2011
Hong Kong
Organized by Dr. Gordon Soo, featured global faculty and high-impact presentations.
2013
Mumbai, India
Chaired by Dr. B. Baser, a landmark gathering with global faculty and record attendance.
2011
Chengdu, China
Chaired by Dr. Li Shirong, the meeting announced 169 new members, bringing the total to 400.
2013
Hangzhou, China
In conjunction with the Chinese Soc. of Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery, cementing global connections.
2014
Seoul, South Korea
Chaired by Dr. Yong Ju Jang, the meeting strengthened ties across the region.
Milestone Achievements
THE SPIRIT
OF
DR. JOSEPH WONG
Dr. Joseph Wong was more than a surgeon, he was a bridge between worlds. What defined him was a quiet, unwavering belief in the idea that knowledge should never be confined, and that the best way to uplift a specialty was to unite its people. To Joe, every surgeon he met across Asia was a potential collaborator, a future teacher, a friend.
Through Smile China and later PAAFPRS, he built connections that went far beyond surgery. His focus was always on belonging, making sure that no surgeon felt isolated, no patient felt forgotten, and no boundary felt too far to cross. Today, that vision lives on, in every workshop, every meeting, every bond that PAAFPRS inspires. It is a legacy rooted in belonging, and a reminder that a single person can set a movement in motion.
The Message for the Future
Some values remain foundational - love, compassion, kindness. In spite of what the world seems now we are all joined by these values. Medicine can truly be a healing profession and we as surgeons must help and support each other. The true values of medicine are universal, and we can make the world a better place by holding to them. Through global collaboration, shared knowledge, and a collective commitment to excellence, we can build a brighter future for ourselves and our patients. This is the heart of PAAFPRS, that together, we can raise the standards of care and leave a lasting legacy.
- Dr. Wayne Larrabee