Non-Traditional Leaders in U.S. Plastic Surgery: Challenges and Triumphs

SUMMARY: At the 2025 annual meeting of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS), the Innovation, Dignity, Excellence, & Access (IDEA) Committee hosted a panel titled "Non-Traditional Leaders in U.S. Plastic Surgery: Challenges and Triumphs." The discussion featured Drs. Carolyn De La Cruz, Richard Baynosa, Harvey Chim, and Paris Butler, and was moderated by Dr. Milton Armstrong. Each panelist shared their distinctive professional journey, highlighting how integrity, diligence, and excellence transcend barriers of gender, race, and ethnicity. Their stories of perseverance, mentorship, and resilience in the face of marginalization serve as powerful inspiration for the next generation of surgeons.