ASPS Members

PLASTIC SURGERY HISTORY: First Lady annual meeting first

The ASPRS/PSEF/ASMS Annual Meeting held in 1998 in Boston featured a Spouses Luncheon that boasted an important first: Former First Lady Barbara Bush as speaker. Mrs. Bush brought star power to an annual meeting that had become accustomed to hosting well-known figures in medicine, government and the arts – such as the previous year's annual meeting's Opening Ceremonies Keynote Speaker, Gen. Colin Powell. Mrs. Bush, known for her “Steel Magnolias” personality, enthralled the women's luncheon through observations honed through her sharp wit and comments in general – several of a self-deprecating nature.

“My speaking at this convention is like Dennis Rodman speaking to a convention of hairdressers,” she said, referring to the former Chicago Bulls All-Star forward known for his outrageous hair colorings. In addition to voicing her support of literacy programs and the importance of being a good parent and/or grandparent, Mrs. Bush addressed denials of insurance coverage for children’s deformities and commended plastic surgeons for their efforts to bring coverage to these needy patients. "Too many families go through a lot to get coverage," she told the luncheon. "It makes a difference, for every treated patient – a sense of self-worth is restored."

The former First Lady addressed her 1998 annual meeting experience in an interview posted online on May 12, 2002, by Newsweek, which referenced a later speech delivered by Mrs. Bush. Singling out ASPRS/PSEF/ASMS as among the countless organizations before which she spoke, Mrs. Bush joked to the later audience: "My absolute favorite: the National Association of Plastic Surgeons (sic). I was scared to death. I thought they were going to rush the stage."

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