Indianapolis Medical Society

Stephen W. Perkins, MD, embarked on a professional journey 27 years ago that has taken him around the country and the world to teach facial plastic and reconstructive surgical techniques to others. In addition to his passion for teaching and sharing information with others, he has gathered pearls of wisdom along the way from colleagues that have provided value to his daily surgical practice. "I have always loved to teach. One of the best parts about teaching is that it breaks down barriers and turf battles. We teach so that we can learn and enhance the outcomes for our patients. Language aside, patients are the same everywhere. They have the same fears and anxieties, and they want the same natural results. Interacting with other surgeons to exchange knowledge and information together has been exciting, stimulating and fulfilling for me. I learn from others as well as teach," says Dr. Perkins.

Dr. Perkins' teaching career started when he began volunteering at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the facial plastic surgery clinic in 1983. It then branched out into Morelia, Mexico in 1985 where he was invited to take the first of his nearly 50 international and more than 100 national teaching trips. He has lectured for and performed teaching surgeries on behalf of organizations such as the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. His international destinations have included Australia, Italy, Columbia, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada and Switzerland.

When asked what plastic and reconstructive surgery is like in other countries versus the U.S., Dr. Perkins notes the differences can be vast, especially when comparing items such as sterile environments. "It is really fascinating to see how things are performed abroad. In Mexico, for instance, instruments may be sterilized in Tupperware-type containers, and windows are open in the operating room. In the Netherlands, there are outer ante-rooms with tightly sealed doors that separate the operating room from the scrub area and also from the outside hallways, yet the nurses wear open-toe flip flop shoes in the 'sterile' area during surgery. Patients in other countries just develop immunities to many of the organisms that are present in their areas, and it works out ok with no significant increase or difference in infection rates," Dr. Perkins says. He also adds that transporting his surgical instruments into foreign countries can sometimes be a challenge. "I used to bring all my own instruments in a carry-on bag, but 9/11 changed our ability to do this. I've had my instruments nearly confiscated in Mexico. I learned that to be on the safe side, it is best to bring certain items in sealed packets via my checked luggage," he adds.

Dr. Perkins' favorite aspect of his teaching endeavors is the ability to learn new things from other surgeons and develop true national and international friendships. "The camaraderie I have experienced is amazing. Politics and religion aside, we all have the same goals. I become better by being around these colleagues," he says. He also notes that it's fulfilling to return to these countries after several years to see the progress they have made in their field. "When I go back again to teach, I often see a big difference. They are so much better than they were 10 or 15 years ago. Their level of teaching has also increased - which is a huge benefit for their ability to teach and share excellent techniques with their countrymen. That is very gratifying to me," he says.

While Dr. Perkins travels far away to teach, he also contributes locally. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstructive surgery to I.U. School of Medicine residents. He has also been a Fellowship Director for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for the past 21 years. As a part of this program, he takes on a facial plastic and reconstructive surgery Fellow (chosen from all over the U.S.) at the Meridian Plastic Surgery Center each year to teach them advanced surgical techniques and provide further specialized knowledge and surgical skills in facial plastic surgery. "Developing the facial plastic skills of young surgeons who just finished their residency is not only personally enjoyable and gratifying, it stimulates me to continue to keep up with the newest and cutting-edge treatment methods and surgical procedures and develop life-long collegial relationships with my past fellows," Dr. Perkins concludes.