ISAPS-LEAP Surgical Relief Teams© Respond To Syrian Refugee Crisis

NEW YORK, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) has partnered with the LEAP Foundation in Dallas to create ISAPS-LEAP Surgical Relief Teams (SRT),  a global resource comprised of surgeons and other medical personnel available to respond quickly to provide surgical care to victims in areas hit by natural and/or man-made disasters. This week, SRT deployed its fourth volunteer team to Amman, Jordan for a week-long surgical mission to treat injured victims of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis.

Assisting Syrian and Jordanian surgeons in this current, ongoing effort to relieve a backlog of cases is an adjunct to the purpose of this newly created rapid response program.  "Surgical intervention by relief personnel within 48 hours after a disaster strikes is critical. Our network of plastic surgeons across the globe enables us to provide much-needed care for victims of crisis before organized surgical relief arrives," explains Dr. Tunc Tiryaki (Turkey), SRT Co-Founder. "Partnering with LEAP to leverage their global reach and rapid response experience has empowered us as a medical community to make a difference."    

ISAPS-LEAP deployed its first doctors to Jordan in October of 2013 to support local physicians working with the Treating the Wounded Syrian Program at the Dar Al Salam Hospital in Amman. Subsequent teams were deployed in January, February and now this month from the USA and Saudi Arabia. In total, these volunteers have evaluated over 150 patients, selecting more than 50 for surgery across the full surgical spectrum including traumatic blast and gunshot wounds to upper and lower extremities, hands and face. Over the next six months, ISAPS-LEAP Surgical Relief Teams will send an additional nine plastic and reconstructive surgical teams from around the world to treat wounded Syrians.

"We are advancing our efforts as ISAPS-LEAP Surgical Relief Teams in order to make an even greater impact on the lives of victims of the Syrian crisis in need of our care," explains Dr. Craig Hobar, SRT Co-Founder and LEAP Medical Director.

The ISAPS-LEAP mission teams cover their own travel and housing expenses on these critical missions.

About ISAPS
The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) is recognized as the leading international body of board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons. Founded in 1970, ISAPS' mission is three-fold:  continually educating ISAPS members in the latest surgical techniques, accurately informing the public, and promoting patient safety. ISAPS membership includes over 2700 of the world's best known and respected aesthetic plastic surgeons in 96 countries on every continent reflecting the true international nature of the organization. Applicants for membership in ISAPS are thoroughly screened to ensure that they have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures.

Websites: www.isaps.org  www.isapscongress.org
Follow ISAPS on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ISAPSNews
Become a fan of ISAPS on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ISAPSCongress

About LEAP
Since 1991, the Dallas, Texas based LEAP Foundation has sent surgical missions to facilities in 18 countries to treat children and adults with severe facial or body deformities.  In the process, they have developed relationships with local health authorities and organizations to tailor the work of their mission teams to the needs of the people in the region.  Over the past two years, LEAP has partnered with ISAPS engaging their formidable infrastructure and network of coalitions and resources to develop a new disaster relief dimension to their work. This alliance with ISAPS has generated over 125 new volunteer surgeons and other health care providers willing to travel to locations needing post-trauma surgical relief.  Training and preparation for sudden and immediate mobilization of these volunteers, equipment and materials, and coordination with authorities in-country has come to fruition with the first four missions deployed to Jordan to help treat injured Syrian refugees.

Website:  www.leap-foundation.org 
Follow ISAPS-LEAP on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/isapsleap_srt
Become a fan of LEAP on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/LEAPFoundation1991

SOURCE The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)