Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Discipline Bylaws

 

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) Discipline of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

ARTICLE II – DEFINITION OF THE SURGICAL SPECIALTY

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery encompasses the following broad spectrum of diseases, injuries, and deformities:

  1. Congenital anomalies of the head and neck, trunk and extremities.
  2. Traumatic surgery of the head and neck, trunk and extremities.
  3. Burns.
  4. Facial Fractures.
  5. Reconstructive surgery of the face, trunk, extremities, breasts and genitalia.
  6. Cosmetic surgery of the face, trunk, extremities including suction lipectomy and body contouring.
  7. Hand surgery including traumatic amputations, fractures, lacerations and acquired anomalies of thehand and upper extremity.
  8. Benign and malignant skin tumors, head and neck tumors and their associated reconstructive surgery.
  9. Laser surgery.
  10. Microsurgery including replantation and free tissue transfers.
  11. Skin grafts, flaps and muscle and musculocutaneous flaps.

ARTICLE III – PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES

  1. To be the representative organization of the Discipline of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery within the ACOS.
  2. This organization is being established as directed by ACOS and shall preserve the overall objectives, ideals and functions of the ACOS, as well as the discipline as defined in Article III.
  3. To maintain and promote the highest moral and ethical standards, as well as pursue all charitable and scientific endeavors in the practice of osteopathic plastic and reconstructive surgery.
  4. To further the educational activities and maintain quality in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
  5. To encourage and promote opportunities for training in plastic and reconstructive surgery for osteopathic physicians interested in this specialty.
  6. To encourage research projects in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery
  7. To stimulate interest in hospitals for the creation and development of divisions of plastic and reconstructive surgery.
  8. To plan, and recommend speakers to the discipline’s Education Committee in order to provide a plastic and reconstructive surgery program for the Annual Clinical Assembly of Osteopathic Surgeons.
  9. To recommend speakers for plastic and reconstructive surgery topics to the Education Committee of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons for the general sessions of the Annual Clinical Assembly of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACA).                   

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this discipline shall consist of all members in good standing of the ACOS whose practice encompasses the discipline of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

SECTION I - ELIGIBILITY

Active Membership:  Limited to ACOS members who have completed formal residency training in plastic and reconstructive surgery in a program approved by the ACOS/American Osteopathic Association, or accredited by the ACGME, and whose practice encompasses solely the discipline of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Associate Membership: ACOS members who have demonstrated interest in plastic and reconstructive surgery, demonstrated formal and/or approved training in one or more of the major subspecialty areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, and provide evidence of having expanded their surgical practice to include one or more major subspecialty areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Allied Health Membership:  Persons engaged in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery or a related field or subspecialty of plastic and reconstructive surgery, and are involved in patient care, in a technical or administrative capacity, or who work in research laboratories are eligible for allied health membership. Examples include licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), physician's assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners, educators, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and certified hand therapist, pharmacists and research coordinators. Physicians (MD, DO, etc.) are not eligible for allied health membership.

Honorary Membership:  ACOS members who have demonstrated interest in the growth and development of plastic and reconstructive surgery and in this discipline and who are deemed worthy of special recognition and honor by the discipline.

Resident Membership:  Resident members in the ACOS who are in a formal residency training program in plastic and reconstructive surgery approved by the ACOS/American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and desire to be affiliated with this discipline.

Retired Membership:  Active or Associate Members of the ACOS who have permanently retired from practice and do not qualify for Life or Inactive Membership.

Life Membership :  Active, Associate, or Retired Member of the ACOS who during the year will have reached the age of sixty (60) and has been a member for twenty (20) years.

Inactive Membership:  Any discipline member who is temporarily not in surgical practice.

SECTION II - VOTING MEMBERS

Only active, life, and retired members of this discipline shall have the privilege of voting. A ballot will be utilized only at the request of the chair or a majority of voting discipline members.

ARTICLE V - DUES

 SECTION I- DUES RATES

The dues of members in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery discipline shall be determined annually by an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the voting members present at the annual membership meeting.

Upon an affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the voting members, a special assessment may be levied to meet emergencies or to secure special speakers for the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery discipline program.

SECTION II- DELINQUENT DUES

The process for termination and reinstatement for failure to pay dues or special assessments shall be determined by the Executive Committee.

 ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

The officers of this discipline shall be a Chair, Chair-Elect, Past Chair, and Secretary.

SECTION I - CHAIR

The Chair shall be the principal elected officer of the discipline, and shall preside at all meetings of the discipline and the Executive Committee. In order to serve as the discipline Chair, the candidate must be a Fellow of the ACOS (FACOS) and currently in active surgical practice, or has been in active surgical practice in the last three (3) years. He/She shall be a voting member of the ACOS Board of Governors, and ex-officio of all discipline committees, and shall perform all duties delegated to him/her by the Executive Committee. He/She shall also communicate to the ACOS and Board of Governors regarding the state of the discipline and may make suggestions to promote its welfare. The discipline Chair shall serve one (1) term of two (2) years by the voting members at the discipline’s annual membership meeting. If, for any reason, the Chair is unable to perform his/her duties, the Chair-elect shall assume the office of the Chair for the balance of the term of the Chair and then will fulfill his/her elected term as delineated in this Article. The Chair may not succeed himself/herself. The Chair may not be a member of an AOA specialty certifying board.

SECTION II - CHAIR-ELECT

The Chair-Elect shall be elected annually for a term of two(2) years by the voting members at the annual membership meeting. The duties of the Chair-Elect shall be to preside at meetings in the absence of the Chair and to assist the Chair in the discharge of his duties. He/she shall succeed to the office of Chair at the conclusion of the annual meeting of the Discipline. In the event of the death or resignation of the Chair-elect, the office shall remain vacant until the next meeting of the Discipline, at which time a Chair-elect shall be elected. In the event of the death or resignation of the Chair or if the Chair shall for any reason be unable or unqualified to serve, the Chair-elect shall fill the office of Chair during the balance of the Chair's term and then automatically succeed to the office of Chair for a two (2) year term.

The Chair-elect shall preside at all meetings of the discipline and/or Executive Committee in the event of the termporary disability or absences by the Chair, and shall perform all duties delegated to him/her by the Chair or Executive Committee. In order to serve as the discipline Chair-elect, the candidate must be a Fellow of the ACOS (FACOS) and is currently in active surgical practice, or has been in active surgical practice in the last three (3) years. The Chair-elect shall serve one (1) term of two (2) years, and shall succeed to the office of Chair at the end of the Chair’s two (2) year term. In the event of the resignation or death of the Chair, or if the Chair, shall, for any reason, be unable or unqualified to serve, the Chair-elect shall fill the office of Chair during the balance of the Chair’s term and then automatically succeed to the role of discipline Chair. The Chair-elect may not be a member of an AOA specialty certifying board.

SECTION  III - PAST CHAIR

Upon conclusion of their term as Chair, he/she shall become the Past Chair of the discipline. The Past Chair shall serve one (1) term of two (2) years. He/She shall preside at meetings of the discipline and of the Executive Committee in the event of the temporary disability, or absence from meetings, of the Chair and Chair-elect. He/She shall have other duties as delegated by the Chair or Executive Committee.

SECTION IV - SECRETARY

The Secretary shall ensure the accurate recording and maintenance of all proceedings of the discipline and Executive Committee. He/She shall serve one (1) term of two (2) years. In order to serve as the discipline Secretary, the candidate must be a Fellow of the ACOS (FACOS) and currently in active surgical practice, or has been in active surgical practice in the last three (3) years. He/She shall ensure that accurate records are kept of all discipline members, and perform such other duties as legally required or otherwise assigned by the Executive Committee. Any of the duties of the Secretary may, by action of the Executive Committee, be assigned to ACOS staff with the prior approval of the ACOS CEO. In the event of the resignation or death of the Chair and Chair-elect, or if the Chair and Chair-elect shall, for any reason, be unable or unqualified to serve, the Secretary shall fill the office of Chair until the next meeting of the discipline, at which time a Chair and Chair-elect shall be elected. In the event of the resignation or death of the Secretary, the Chair shall appoint a member of the discipline to the office for the balance of the unexpired term. The Secretary may not be a member of an AOA specialty certifying board.

ARTICLE VII- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary, Past Chair, and the Governor who is not an officer. It shall be the duty of this committee to develop and carry out the purposes and objectives of this discipline. The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair, or at the call of three (3) members of the Executive Committee, and at the time of the Annual Clinical Assembly. The Executive Committee shall act for the membership between meetings of the membership, and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to them by the membership.

All business conducted by the Executive Committee shall be reported by the Chair, in conjunction with the Governor(s), to the discipline’s membership in a timely fashion. Business by the ACOS Board of Governors, that is approved for public distribution, shall also be reported to the discipline’s membership in a timely fashion.

The election of the discipline officers and a Governor(s) shall be held at an annual business meeting of the discipline at which there is a quorum (20 members) by a majority vote of the voting members who are in attendance.

Any action taken by the Executive Committee may be voted upon by email provided that all members of the Executive Committee consent and no less than a majority of the entire Executive Committee vote in favor of the issue presented in order for approval.

A member of the Executive Committee may resign at any time by giving written notice to the ACOS CEO. Such resignation will take effect at the time specified therein or at the time of acceptance as determined by the Chair or the Executive Committee.

For just and reasonable cause, any member of the Executive Committee, including the Chair, may be removed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee members present at any meeting at which three-fourths (3/4) of  the Executive Committee members are present.

During its annual membership meeting the Executive Committee shall:

1. Receive and act upon reports of discipline committees.
2. Transact such other business as has been delegated to it or might be considered by it in the best interest of the discipline and the welfare of the membership.
3. Have general supervision and direction of the policies and affairs of the discipline.

Members shall not receive any compensation for their service on the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII- REPRESENTATION TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Only members who hold the FACOS title and who are currently in active surgical practice or have been in active surgical practice in the last three (3) years may be elected as a  Governor(s). A Governor may not be a member of an American Osteopathic Association specialty certifying board. A Governor shall be elected for a term of three (3) years not to exceed a total of two (2) consecutive terms or three (3) consecutive terms provided one term is as discipline chair. Any vacancies of a Governor(s) that is not the discipline chair, shall be filled by an appointment by the Chair of the discipline. This appointee shall serve until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the discipline when an election shall be held to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Governor(s) may not be a member of an AOA specialty certifying board.

ARTICLE IX- COMMITTEES

The following shall be the standing committees of this discipline and committee members shall be appointed by the Chair-elect at the annual membership meeting subject to approval by the Executive Committee. The appointments shall become effective when the Chair-elect assumes the office of Chair.

SECTION I - NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) discipline members, one of whom shall be designated Chair. Each member of this committee shall serve a term of two (2) years and no more than three (3) consecutive terms. No current member of the nominating committee is eligible for election as a discipline officer or Governor. It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to present a slate of nominees for discipline officers and governor to the ACOS CEO ninety (90) days in advance of the next annual membership meeting for distribution to the discipline membership. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the annual meeting.

SECTION II- EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Education Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the discipline as appointed by the Chair. They will also serve on the ACOS Continuing Education Committee. It shall be the duty of this committee to plan for the future educational needs of the discipline’s members and assist the ACOS with educational topics for future ACA meetings. The term for this committee shall be for two (2) years, with a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms.

 

SECTION III - BYLAWS COMMITTEE

The Bylaws Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members, as appointed by the Chair, and subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. One members shall be designated Chair. Each member will serve a term of two (2) years and may not exceed three (3) consecutive terms.  This committee will be charged with the periodic review of the bylaws, proposing changes to the bylaws, preparing such changes and submitting them to the discipline Secretary and ACOS CEO in accordance with Article XIII. The term for committee members shall be for two (2) years, with a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms.

SECTION IV- AD HOC COMMITTEES

The Chair at the discipline annual meeting or at a subsequent time during his term, also may appoint and discharge other committees, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE X - MEETINGS

SECTION I- ANNUAL MEETING

There shall be an annual meeting of the members of this discipline at the time of the ACOS ACA during which necessary business shall be transacted. Members in the ACOS and other physicians registered as guests at the ACA who are interested in the specialty of plastic and reconstructive surgery, and other guests as may be invited by the discipline Chair, shall be privileged to attend the program sessions and meetings of the discipline.

SECTION II- QUORUM AND VOTING PRIVILEGES

Twenty  (20) voting members shall constitute a quorum at the annual membership meeting. Elections shall be by majority vote of eligible voters (active, life, retired) of the discipline present at the annual meeting. Other membership categories have no voting privileges but may attend the meetings. It is the responsibility of the Secretary to ensure that only voting members of the discipline vote or receive a ballot. The Secretary and Governor or two (2) other discipline members designated by the Chair (if the Secretary and/or Governor is running for office) shall be responsible for the counting of ballots and providing the results to the Chair for announcement to the discipline. ACOS staff may assist with this process if requested by the discipline Secretary.

SECTION III- ORDER OF BUSINESS

The order of business for the annual meeting shall be determined by the discipline Chair in conjunction with the ACOS CEO. Any meeting called by the Chair shall have an agenda established by the Chair. The order of business may be changed by a vote of the majority of members present.

ARTICLE XI - RULES OF ORDER

Meetings of the members and committees of this discipline shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, unless otherwise specified.

ARTICLE XII - CODE OF ETHICS

The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery discipline of the ACOS subscribes to and adopts the Code of Ethics as determined by the ACOS; requires that all discipline members are familiar with the ACOS specified Code of Ethics; and that each member adhere to the provisions as set forth and as revised, amended, and/or interpreted from time to time. 

 

All questions of ethics or discipline shall be directed to the ACOS Ethics Committee for investigation, deliberation, and recommendation to the ACOS Board of Governors.

Approved: October 19, 2019

ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS

The discipline bylaws shall be consistent with the bylaws, policies, and procedures of the ACOS and  shall in no way conflict with the overall objectives, ideals, and functions of the ACOS.

Amendments to these Bylaws may be made at the annual membership meeting during the ACA by a majority vote of the eligible voting members present and shall be subject to approval by the ACOS Board of Governors. Any amendments shall be presented to the discipline Secretary and ACOS CEO one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the annual membership meeting. No proposition to amend the bylaws shall be acted upon unless written notice thereof has been sent to the members of the discipline no more than ninety (90) days and no less than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.

ARTICLE XIV – DISSOLUTION

The discipline shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these bylaws, and no part of said funds shall inure, or be distributed, to the members of the discipline. On dissolution of the discipline, any funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized and qualified charitable, educational, scientific or philanthropic organizations to be determined by the Executive Committee.

 

 

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Discipline Bylaws – October 2019