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Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
 
History of the Institute
  • 1951: Establishment of The National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction (Then The Society for the Rehabilitation of the Facially Disfigured, Inc.)

  • 1954: First International Tissue Transplantation Conference organized by Drs. J.M. Converse, B.O. Rogers and F.T. Rapaport (N.Y. Academy of Medicine)

  • 1955: Founding of the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (IRPS) under the direction of Dr. John Marquis Converse. Pilot clinic established at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital.

  • 1956: Second International Tissue Transplantation Conference.

  • 1957: Grant from Avalon Foundation provides funds for the Lawrence D. Bell Professorship and clinic facilities.

  • 1958: Third International Tissue Transplantation Conference.

  • 1960: Fourth International Tissue Transplantation Conference.

  • 1961: First graduate of the Plastic Surgery Residency Program Tissue and organ transplantation research that resulted eventually in the founding of the Transplantation Society.

  • 1962: Fifth International Tissue Transplantation Conference.

  • 1962: Establishment of the V.H. Kazanjian Visiting Professorship – Dr. Kazanjian initiates lectureships.

  • 1963: Opening of the Institutes clinic and laboratories at the newly constructed NYU Medical Center.

  • 1964: Sixth International Tissue Transplantation Conference.

  • 1964: Publication of the five volume “Reconstructive Plastic Surgery” by J.M. Converse.

  • 1966: Recruitment of Dr. Robert W. Beasley and the establishment of the Hand Surgery Program.

  • 1967: Founding of Craniofacial Anomalies Center through the generosity of The Billy Rose Foundation.

  • 1967: Seventh International Tissue Transplantation Conference.

  • 1969: First international meeting on craniofacial surgery hosted by the Institute.

  • 1969: First craniofacial surgery procedure performed by Dr. Converse.

  • 1973: Publication of Cosmetic Surgery of the Face by Thomas D. Rees, one of the first books published on the subject.

  • 1974: First infant to undergo craniofacial surgery.

  • 1974: Award of National Institute of Dental Research Program Project grant on craniofacial anomalies (continued until 1992).

  • 1975: First microsurgery procedure performed at the Institute.

  • 1976: Establishment of the Microsurgery Program under the direction of Dr. William Shaw.

  • 1976: International Craniofacial Symposium hosted at the Institute.

  • 1977: Publication of “Reconstructive Plastic Surgery” (7 volumes) by Dr. Converse (Editor) and Dr. McCarthy (Assistant Editor).

  • 1977: Dr. McCarthy appointed Associate Director.

  • 1978: NFFR helped to encourage the founding of Forward Face, a support group to help patients and their families.

  • 1978: Post-residency fellowship program initiated to provide in-depth training in hand surgery, microsurgery and replantation hand surgery, craniofacial reconstruction and esthetic surgery.

  • 1978: Opening of New Bellevue Hospital.

  • 1978: Replantation cases at Bellevue Hopstial receive widespread media coverage.

  • 1980: Margaret Milbank Bogert Microsurgery Laboratory dedication.

  • 1981: Death of Dr. John M. Converse. Dr. Joseph G. McCarthy appointed Director of the Institute and Bell Professor.

  • 1982: The John M. Converse Library of Plastic Surgery donated by graduates of the residency program.

  • 1982: Computer Imaging Laboratory developed under the leadership of Dr. Court B. Cutting.

  • 1983: Variety – The Children’s Charity approved 10 year grant of $1,500,000 to establish The Variety Center for Craniofacial Rehabilitation to help children with facial problems. Led to the establishment of eight interdisciplinary clinics.

  • 1985: Beginning of annual Aesthetic Surgery Symposium under the leadership of Dr. Rees.

  • 1986: The Society for the Facially Disfigured changes its name to the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction (NFFR).

  • 1987: Converse Professorship established.

  • 1989: First mandibular distraction case (and first craniofacial distraction procedure in the world).

  • 1989: Steeger Lectureship established.

  • 1990: Publication of eight volume “Plastic Surgery” (Dr. Joseph McCarthy, Editor).

  • 1992: Conference on Facial Disfigurement. JM Foundation underwrote costs for this initial conference that was the initial platform for the newly created Psychology Working Group.

  • 1996: Appointment of Dr. Michael T. Longaker as the first John Marquis Converse Professor in Plastic Surgery Research.

  • 1996: Center for Development Repair and Regeneration constructed.

  • 1996: Mortimer J. Harrison Foundation begins financial sponsorship of pediatric patients with craniofacial deformities.

  • 1997: Opening of the Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Repair.

  • 1999: Publication of the Distraction of the Craniofacial Skeleton (J.G. McCarthy) – the first text on the subject.

  • 2000: Establishment of Laboratory of Micro Vascular Research and Vascular Tissue Engineering and recruitment of Dr. Geoffrey C. Gurtner.

  • 2001: NFFR celebrates 50th Anniversary. Special awards to Dr. Frances C. MacGregor and Dr. J. William Littler.

  • 2001: Newman Psychosocial Program started.

  • 2003: NFFR organizes Psychosocial Symposium entitled, Facial Difference: Beyond the Medical Issues. Awards to Senator Tom Harkins and Mrs. Betsy Wilson (MacGregor Award).

  • 2003: CD Rom on Cleft Lip/Palate surgery by Dr. Court Cutting.

  • 2004: CDC Initiative to document birth incidence of facial deformities.

  • 2005: Fiftieth Anniversary of Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery.
    • NFFR Gala
    • Resident Reunion
    • Patient Reunion
    • Inauguration of Beasley Lecture by R.W. Beasley