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R I S I N G S T A R
Alexis Hazen
Did you ever consider a different career than Plastic surgery?
If yes, what other options were you considering and what made
you finalize your selection?
I considered a career as a veterinarian when I was growing up. As
I got older - I realized I would be happy just to have a few pets and
that human medicine would be a better fit. I seriously considered
international health as my interest in medicine came from my
years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras after college.
I fell in love with plastic surgery when I did the rotations in
medical school. I saw a TRAM breast reconstruction and thought
it was the most ingenious operation - and that solidified it.
You are a visionary: did you ever have doubts that the breakthrough
for your pioneer work will come?
When you are doing research in the lab, you so often fail. And it is
so hard to get all the moving parts ‘right’. I think dusting yourself
off after things not working in the lab to do it all over again is always
hard - yet usually in the end - worth it. I think anyone in scientific
research has to have an element of faith that things will work out.
Did you feel disappointed or discouraged about the skepticism
which the majority of plastic surgeons showed towards fat
grafting for a long time?
Fat grafting is now generally accepted, but I think a healthy
skepticism towards any technique is appropriate. We need to
prove things scientifically in addition to clinically. And when we
say something works clinically - we need to be rigorous about how
we prove that.
Some disappointing moments during your professional life?
Disappointing moments? Many! But far more high moments!
Mistakes you could have avoided?
Mistakes? I think a mistake many young doctors make at an
Academic medical center - is that they get pulled in too many
different directions. You are asked to do so many things for so
many people that it’s easy to lose focus and not do what you are
truly interested in. I wish I had gotten involved in the medical
missions much earlier in my career - Women for Women - as it has
been one of the most gratifying experiences for me.
Is there something you regret not having pursued?
No regrets yet - I still have time to pursue things I haven’t
completely mastered or projects I haven’t completed!
Which results of your research projects do you consider to be
most important?
I think the things I am most proud of is creating animal models
that allow us to study human lipoaspirate. The radiation model
and the fat transfer model I think are helpful additions to the
scientific community.
Briefly describe your current position and the variety of
patients you treat on a daily basis.
I am an Associate professor in Plastic Surgery. I am the Director of
the NYU Aesthetic Surgery Center. My practice is largely breast
surgery - reconstruction and cosmetic. My research interests
are in lipoaspirate and 3D animations as a vehicle for training
surgeons and educating patients.
So far, what were the highlights of your career?
The highlights of my career have been going on surgical missions
with Women for women, and being a host on doctor radio. Both
are not aspects of a career that I would have thought about at the
onset - but both are gratifying and interesting.
What are your goals for the next few years?
I would like to be able to spend more time on my areas of research
in the next years. I also think plastic surgeons should become
involved in the development of new technology - and I think that
is intimately tied to the long-term health of the profession.
What is the future of Plastic surgery in the US?
I think that the future is bright in plastic surgery - though there are
rocky roads ahead. The changes in reimbursement will make the
endless training and the expense of medical school seem untenable
- and to some extent it will be. I think medicine is a little broken
right now - but plastic surgery is always a great field!
What do you like to do in your free time; hobbies/sports?
What is your favorite book?
In my free time - I like hanging out with my children. I play golf
with my son, and paint with my daughter. I love to read - most
recently a book called ‘Give and Take’ by Adam Grant. I am
recently getting into yoga and meditation - midlife crisis?
Issue 13 www.ipras.org IPRAS Journal 17