HISTORY

A Legacy of Leadership, Learning, and Advocacy

Since 1951, the California Society of Plastic Surgeons has brought together plastic surgeons from across the state to advance education, uphold professional standards, advocate for patients and physicians, and shape the future of the specialty.

Our Founding

On March 15, 1951, 30 plastic surgeons from Northern and Southern California gathered at The Biltmore Hotel in Santa Barbara to establish the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. Recognized as the Society’s first annual meeting, the gathering founded CSPS on the shared principles of education and professional fellowship.

The following year, members met in Del Monte and voted to incorporate the Society. George Warren Pierce, MD, became the first president of the Board of Directors, and Kathryn Stephenson, MD, was selected as the Society’s first historian.

Establishing Professional Standards

From its earliest years, CSPS addressed issues affecting the quality and integrity of plastic surgery. Members discussed training requirements, professional qualifications, scope of practice, and the importance of protecting patients from procedures performed by inadequately trained practitioners.

In 1955, members adopted the first CSPS Code of Ethics and approved the Society’s first printed membership roster. Membership requirements continued to evolve, and by 1960, CSPS had established standards connecting continued membership to plastic surgery board certification.

These early efforts established a commitment that continues today: promoting ethical practice, qualified care, and high professional standards throughout California.

Building an Advocacy Voice

California’s medical liability crisis of 1975 marked a turning point for the Society. As physicians across the state faced the loss of malpractice coverage, CSPS became increasingly engaged in legislative and regulatory advocacy.

In 1977, the Society launched its newsletter and created a Key Contacts System, Legislative Committee, and political action committee. Together, these initiatives gave California plastic surgeons a more coordinated voice in public policy.

Over the following decades, CSPS members and legislative advocates worked on issues involving:

  • Licensing, credentialing, and peer review for outpatient surgical facilities

  • Truth and transparency in physician advertising

  • Recognition of legitimate specialty boards and training pathways

  • Patient-safety standards for office-based procedures, liposuction, and lasers

  • Insurance coverage for reconstructive surgery and congenital conditions

  • Orthodontic coverage for patients with cleft palate

  • Scope-of-practice protections and appropriate physician qualifications

This work helped establish CSPS as a leading advocate for plastic surgeons and the patients they serve.

Evolving for the Future

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought significant organizational change. CSPS closed its longtime office in El Sobrante and transitioned to a professional association-management model. The change followed more than 30 years of dedicated service by Executive Director Christine A. Pahl.

In 2021, the Society adopted a new visual identity, reflecting its continued evolution while honoring the legacy built by generations of California plastic surgeons.

Today, CSPS remains California’s professional home for plastic surgeons—a statewide community committed to education, research, advocacy, innovation, and exceptional patient care.

Milestones & History

Explore key moments in the history of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons.

  • 1951

    Thirty plastic surgeons gather in Santa Barbara for the first CSPS annual meeting.

  • 1952

    Members vote to incorporate the Society. George Warren Pierce, MD, becomes its first president, and Kathryn Stephenson, MD, its first historian.

  • 1955

    CSPS adopts its first Code of Ethics and publishes its first membership roster.

  • 1960

    The Society strengthens membership standards related to plastic surgery board certification.

  • 1975

    California’s medical liability crisis accelerates CSPS involvement in advocacy.

  • 1977

    CSPS launches its newsletter, Key Contacts System, Legislative Committee, and political action committee.

  • 1987–2008

    The Society engages in major legislative efforts involving outpatient surgery, reconstructive coverage, patient safety, professional qualifications, and truth in medical advertising.

  • 2020

    CSPS transitions from its longtime El Sobrante office to a professional association-management model.

  • 2021

    The Society adopts a new visual identity.

  • Today

    CSPS continues its legacy of connecting, supporting, and advocating for California’s plastic surgery community.

Past Leadership

  • 2025–2026 Gregory Evans, MD
    2024–2025 Gordon Lee, MD
    2023–2024 Amanda A. Gosman, MD
    2022–2023 William Y. Hoffman, MD
    2021–2022 Susan Kaweski, MD
    2020–2021 Terry J. Zimmerman, MD
    2019–2020 Scott W. Bartellbort, MD
    2018–2019 Michael S. Wong, MD
    2017–2018 William S. Umansky, MD
    2016–2017 Jane S. Weston, MD
    2015–2016 Steven A. Teitelbaum, MD
    2014–2015 Mary H. McGrath, MD
    2013–2014 Robert A. Hardesty, MD
    2012–2013 Thomas F. Mitts, MD
    2011–2012 Jeffrey L. Rosenberg, MD
    2010–2011 Lars P. Enevoldsen, MD
    2009–2010 Geoffrey R. Keyes, MD
    2008–2009 Debra J. Johnson, MD
    2007–2008 Dan C. Mills, MD
    2006–2007 John M. Osborn, MD
    2005–2006 Malcolm D. Paul, MD
    2004–2005 Michael G. Cedars, MD
    2003–2004 *Harvey A. Zarem, MD
    2002–2003 Jon G. Finkler, MD
    2001–2002 James H. Wells, MD
    2000–2001 Thomas R. Stevenson, MD
    1999–2000 *Michael F. McGuire, MD
    1998–1999 Angelo Capozzi, MD
    1997–1998 Dennis P. Thompson, MD
    1996–1997 Marie E. Pletsch, MD
    1995–1996 Robert Singer, MD
    1994–1995 Jack G. Bruner, MD
    1993–1994 Jack C. Fisher, MD
    1992–1993 Roger L. Greenberg, MD
    1991–1992 John O. Strong, MD
    1990–1991 *Hale Tolleth, MD
    1989–1990 Henry K. Kawamoto, Jr., MD, DDS
    1988–1989 Ronald E. Iverson, MD
    1986–1987 Robert M. Faggella, Jr., MD
    1987–1988 Dan S. Smith, MD
    1985–1986 Garry S. Brody, MD
    1984–1985 *Lars M. Vistnes, MD
    1983–1984 Matthew C. Gleason, MD
    1982–1983 *Richard P. Jobe, MD
    1981–1982 *Frederick M. Grazer, MD
    1980–1981 *Richard L. Dakin, MD
    1979–1980 *Eugene Worton, MD
    1978–1979 *Mark Gorney, MD
    1977–1978 *John M. Goin, MD
    1976–1977 Raymond R. Kauffman, MD
    1975–1976 *Jerome R. Klingbiel, MD
    1974–1975 *N. John Wilde, MD
    1973–1974 *Lawrence T. Moore, MD
    1972–1973 *Mar W. McGregor, MD
    1971–1972 *Donald E. Barker, MD
    1970–1971 *Donald P. Hause, MD
    1969–1970 *Clifford A. Barber, MD
    1968–1969 *Henry S. Patton, MD
    1967–1968 *Kathryn Stephenson, MD
    1966–1967 *Charles F. Steiss, MD
    1965–1966 Allyn J. McDowell, MD
    1964–1965 *E. Horace Klabunde, MD
    1963–1964 *Monroe K. Ruch, MD
    1962–1963 *Richard A. Shepard, MD
    1961–1962 *Paul P. Pickering, MD
    1960–1961 *Harry M. Blackfield, MD
    1959–1960 *George V. Webster, MD
    1958–1959 *Gerald Gray, MD
    1957–1958 *Michael Gurdin, MD
    1956–1957 *Gerald G. O’Connor, MD
    1955–1956 *James B. Johnson, MD
    1954–1955 *Albert Davis, MD
    1953–1954 *William Kiskadden, MD
    1952–1953 *George W. Pierce, MD

  • 1975–1979‍ ‍*Frederick M. Grazer, MD
    1972–1975‍ ‍*Hyzer Jones, MD
    1972–1973‍ ‍*Lawrence T. Moore, MD
    1971–1972‍ ‍*Sean Moloney, MD
    1967–1971‍ ‍*Donald E. Barker, MD
    1963–1967 *William J. Morris, MD
    1961–1963 *Jerome R. Klingbiel, MD
    1959–1961 *Richard A. Shepard, MD
    1956–1958 *Benjamin F. Edwards, MD
    1953–1955 *E. Horace Klabunde, MD

  • 2021–2023 Amanda A. Gosman, MD
    2017–2020 Susan Kaweski, MD
    2016–2017 Scott W. Barttelbort, MD
    2012–2016 William S. Umansky, MD
    2008–2012 Andrew J. Kaczynski, MD
    2007–2008 Lars P. Enevoldsen, MD
    2005–2007 Geoffrey R. Keyes, MD
    2003–2005 Dan C. Mills, MD
    2002–2003 Peter B. Fodor, MD
    2000–2002 Edward Y. Henjyoji, MD
    1999–2000 Malcolm D. Paul, MD
    1998–1999 James H. Wells, MD
    1995–1998 Thomas R. Stevenson, MD
    1993–1995 Dennis P. Thompson, MD
    1990–1993 Marie E. Pletsch, MD
    1986–1989 John O. Strong, MD
    1982–1986 Roger Friedenthal, MD
    1979–1982 *Andrew L. Tucker, MD

  • 2021–2023 Gordon K. Lee, MD
    2018–2020 William Y. Hoffman, MD
    2016–2018 Terry J. Zimmerman, MD
    2014–2016 Michael S. Wong, MD
    2013–2014 Jane S. Weston, MD
    2009–2013 Steven A. Teitelbaum, MD
    2006–2009 Jeffrey R. Rosenberg, MD
    2003–2006 Debra J. Johnson, MD
    2000–2003 John M. Osborn, MD
    1997–2000 Jon G. Finkler, MD
    1994–1997 Michael F. McGuire, MD
    1990–1994 Neil E. Klein, MD
    1986–1990 Roland T. Minami, MD
    1983–1986 Ronald E. Iverson, MD
    1981–1983 Paul D. Mabie, MD

*Deceased