PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY DISCIPLINE

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Discipline Bylaws

(Approved in September 2025 at the Annual Clinical Assembly)

ARTICLE I: NAME

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

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. 

7. Hand surgery including traumatic amputations, fractures, lacerations, and acquired anomalies of the hand and upper extremity.

8. Benign and malignant skin tumors, head and neck tumors, and their associated reconstructive surgery.

9. Laser surgery and chemical peels.

10. Microsurgery including replantation and free tissue transfers.

11. Skin grafts, flaps and muscle and musculocutaneous flaps.

12. Gender confirmation surgery.

13. Injectables, skin care, and antiaging therapies

ARTICLE III – PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES

1. To be the representative organization of the Discipline of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery within the ACOS.

2. This discipline is established as directed by ACOS and shall preserve the overall objectives, ideals and functions of the ACOS.

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.

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. Active, Retired and Life members shall meet the requirements as stated in the ACOS bylaws and will have completed a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency or fellowship training program either accredited by the AOA or accredited by the ACGME. Resident members shall meet the requirements as stated in the ACOS bylaws and have commenced training in an AOA or ACGME accredited PLR surgery training program. Associate, Honorary, International, and Inactive Members will follow the requirements in the ACOS bylaws.

SECTION 1- DUES

The dues of members in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery discipline shall be determined annually by an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members present at the annual membership meeting.

SECTION 2- DELINQUENT DUES

Any member who is suspended or expelled from the membership of the ACOS or is dropped from membership due to delinquency in dues payments, shall automatically forfeit his/her membership in the Discipline. Reinstatement of the membership shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as imposed by the ACOS Bylaws.

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

The officers of this discipline shall be a Chair, Chair-Elect, Past Chair, and Secretary. At the annual member meeting of the Discipline, a Chair-Elect and Secretary shall be elected for a term of two (2) years by a majority vote of the members present. To serve, the officer must be a fellow of the ACOS (FACOS).

SECTION 1 – CHAIR

The Chair-elect shall succeed to the office of the Chair at the end of the second year of their term at the ACA. 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). He/She/They 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/them by the Executive Committee of the discipline. He/She/They 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) If, for any reason, the Chair is unable to perform his/her/their 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/their elected term as delineated in this Article. The Chair may not be a member of any specialty certifying board (AOBS, ABS, ABPS, etc.).

SECTION 2- CHAIR-ELECT

The Chair-Elect shall be elected annually for a one (1)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/her/their  duties. He/She/They 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 secretary assumes the role until the next Discipline meeting at which time an election would be held.  

The Chair-elect shall preside at all meetings of the discipline and/or Executive Committee in the event of temporary 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 may not be a member of any specialty certifying board (AOBS, ABS, ABPS, etc.).

SECTION 3 – PAST CHAIR

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

SECTION 4- SECRETARY

The Secretary shall ensure the accurate recording and maintenance of all proceedings of the discipline and Executive Committee He/She/They 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. He/She/They shall ensure that accurate records are kept of all discipline meetings and executive committee meetings, and perform such other duties as set forth by the Chair or otherwise assigned by the Executive Committee. 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 any specialty certifying board (AOBS, ABS, ABPS, etc.). The Secretary will also provide the financial summary of the Disciple at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VI- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall have supervision, control, and direction of the affairs of the Discipline; shall determine its policies or changes therein within the limits of the College Bylaws and policies; shall actively pursue its purposes and shall have discretion in the disbursement of its funds. It may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable, and may, in the process of the power granted, appoint such agents as it may consider necessary.

The Executive Committee shall have regular meetings at the time and place of the annual meeting of the Discipline. The Executive Committee also shall meet upon the call of the Chair or a majority of the members of the Executive Committee. Meetings may take place virtually via conference call or video conferencing format. The Executive Committee shall determine the times and places of the meetings. Notice of all meetings of the Executive Committee shall be sent by email to each member of the Executive Committee in advance of each meeting. A majority of the whole Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Executive Committee.

Any action taken by the Executive Committee may be voted upon by email, online, or voice vote 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 for approval.

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

ARTICLE VII- 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 A Governor may not be a member of an American Osteopathic Association specialty certifying board (AOBS, ABS, ABPS, etc.). A Governor shall be elected for a term of three (3) years not to exceed a total of two (2) consecutive 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 must have served as Discipline Chair for one (1) term to be eligible for election.

ARTICLE VIII- COMMITTEES

The following shall be the standing committees of this discipline and committee members shall be appointed by the Executive Committee  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 1- 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 or six (6) years. 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 after vetting the candidate to insure he/she/the comply with the requirements set forth by the discipline.

SECTION 2- CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Continuing 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 the 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 or six (6) years. The CEC shall meet at the call of the committee chair and shall have a representative present at all meetings of the CEC of the ACOS.

SECTION 3 – 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 member shall be designated Chair. Each member will serve a term of two (2) years and may not exceed three (3) consecutive terms or six (6) years. 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 4- 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 IX – MEETINGS

SECTION 1- 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 2- QUORUM AND VOTING PRIVILEGES

A fair representation of the voting members present shall constitute a quorum at the annual membership meeting. Elections shall be by majority vote of eligible voters, active, life, and retired members in good standing, 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 two (2) EC members designated by the Chair 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 3- 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.   Order of Business follows:

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Minutes

3. Chair’s Report

4. Secretary-Treasurer’s Report

5. Report from ACOS President

6. Report from the AOBS

7. Report for ACOS BOG

8. Committee Reports

9. Old Business

10. New Business

11. Adjournment

ARTICLE X – RULES OF ORDER

In the absence of any provision in these Bylaws, all meetings of the ACOS, the Board of Governors, duly appointed committees, and task forces shall be governed by standard parliamentary procedures which provide for adequate notice and fair opportunity for debate. The Presiding Officer may be guided by, but not bound by, the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order-Newly Revised.

ARTICLE XI – 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 and AOA; requires that all discipline members are familiar with the ACOS and AOA specified Code of Ethics; and that each member adheres 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.

ARTICLE XII – 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 ninety days (90) 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 XIII – 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 and the ACOS.