Auckland, New Zealand -- (SBWire) -- 03/28/2012 --The Boards of Directors of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) and The LEAP Foundation (LEAP) will collaborate to create a new ISAPS-Leap Strike Force.

In global disasters such as the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Turkey, the Tsunami in Japan, and extensive flooding in Thailand, attention to the victims by various aid organizations, the military and surgical teams within hours is vital. However, what happens in the following days is the focus of this new initiative.

According to Turkish ISAPS member, Dr. Tunc Tiryaki, "while not generally addressed in most plastic surgery societies' plans, recent natural disasters around the world suggest that it would be prudent for health professionals to improve their preparedness for a mass casualty incident. While acute search and rescue is carried out by governmental organizations, these efforts are limited to the first 72 hours after which the hope of rescue diminishes rapidly. Immediate triage and surgical intervention by emergency medical personnel during this period is critical; however, between the 3rd and 10th days, there is often a major shortfall in both the triage activities and the first surgical interventions on the injured. These interventions are very often related to plastic surgery." The union of these two organizations results from an informal working relationship following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

The LEAP Foundation, headed by CEO plastic surgeon, Dr. P. Craig Hobar, was already on the scene with an established clinic in neighboring Dominican Republic, and ISAPS channeled both members' financial donations and surgical skills through LEAP's organizational infrastructure. While ISAPS members have the skills and the willingness to help, the organization does not have the structure in place to manage global mobilization in times of urgent need. After 21 years, LEAP is still a relatively small but active global volunteer organization working in 18 countries to provide surgical care where none is available on a non-emergency basis.

In joining forces, ISAPS will encourage and enlist its member surgeons skilled in reconstructive plastic & cosmetic surgery to volunteer for short-term interventions in disaster zones, while LEAP will coordinate the mobilization they already provide through their established infrastructure. Together, they will register, help prepare and credential ISAPS volunteer surgeons to be ready when they are needed. The forty-two year old International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is the largest international society of individual board certified (or the equivalent) aesthetic plastic surgeons with over 2,100 members in 93 countries.

Janek Januszkiewicz states “in light of the many natural disasters faced by countries around the world, including our own events in Christchurch New Zealand, this initiative from plastic surgeons is a positive step to preparing for the emergency medical and surgical care that follows such calamities".

Surgeons undergo a strict application process to determine their qualifications to join the society. The ISAPS mission is twofold: the continuing education of plastic surgeons in latest techniques in the field of aesthetic plastic surgery and medicine and the promotion of patient safety.

About New Zealand Institute of Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery
The New Zealand Institute of Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery is the largest private surgery practice in New Zealand. Their specialist plastic surgeons are well recognized for providing a wide range of surgical procedures including rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, facelift and more.