Composition

ROBERTO C. VASQUEZ, MD, FPAAS
Chairman

MARK ARJAN R. FERNANDEZ, MD, FPAAS
Training Officer

ALVIN M. JORGE, MD, FPAAS
Member

JAIME JORGE, JR., MD, FPAAS
Member

Certification Process for Aesthetic Surgical Specialties

Certification under the PAAS Training Management Group follows a rigorous, competency-based process to ensure clinical excellence, ethical practice, and patient safety. This includes:

• Completion of General Aesthetic Surgical Training 

• Submission and verification of a comprehensive logbook of cases performed and assisted

• Successful completion of certifying written and oral examinations

• Practical examinations and hands-on evaluation of surgical skills

Instructional Design Components

Based on identified core competencies, the Training Management Group adopts a structured instructional design framework that includes:

• Formulation of clearly defined learning objectives

• Selection of appropriate teaching and learning strategies

• Development of a comprehensive assessment plan

The overall training design is systematically aligned with clearly defined learning outcomes to ensure measurable competence and consistent standards across all modules.

The Genesis of the Training Management Group

Prior to the formal establishment of the Training Management Group, aesthetic surgical training in the Philippines lacked uniformity and structure. Aspiring practitioners often relied on fragmented workshops, short courses, or informal mentorships, resulting in wide variations in training quality, depth, and ethical standards.

Recognizing the urgent need for a standardized, supervised, and ethical training framework, the leadership of the Philippine Academy of Aesthetic Surgery spearheaded the creation of the Training Management Group. It was envisioned as a centralized governing body responsible for the design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of aesthetic surgical training programs nationwide.

The TMG was established as the Academy’s academic and training arm—committed to scientific rigor, ethical integrity, and excellence in education.

Mission and Objectives

Mission

To uphold the highest standards of aesthetic surgical training by providing comprehensive, ethical, and clinically relevant education to qualified physicians, thereby ensuring patient safety, professional development, and public trust.

Objectives

• To design structured, progressive, and competency-based training modules

• To provide hands-on mentorship under the supervision of qualified and experienced mentors

• To integrate ethical practice and patient safety into every stage of training

• To evaluate trainees through objective, performance-based assessments

• To foster lifelong learning, leadership, and professional responsibility among graduates

Structure and Curriculum

The TMG training curriculum is delivered through a modular system covering major domains of aesthetic surgery, including:

• Facial Aesthetic Surgery
  (blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, facelifting)

• Body Contouring Surgery
  (liposuction, abdominoplasty)

• Breast Surgery
  (augmentation, reduction, mastopexy)

• Non-Surgical Aesthetic Procedures
  (botulinum toxins, dermal fillers, lasers, threads)

• Hair Restoration Surgery

Each module consists of:

• Didactic lectures covering foundational principles and current evidence

• Live surgical observation in hospital or clinical settings

• Cadaver dissection workshops for in-depth anatomical mastery

• Supervised hands-on procedures involving actual patient cases

• Written, oral, and practical assessments

• Ethics and professionalism seminars, addressing patient consent, advertising, medico-legal issues, and conflict management

This integrated approach ensures that trainees not only master surgical techniques but also understand anatomical rationale, safety parameters, and patient-centered care.

The Mentorship Model

At the core of the Training Management Group is its mentorship culture. Mentors are senior PAAS Fellows—many with international training—who voluntarily dedicate their time, expertise, and clinical environments to developing future aesthetic surgeons.

Through close supervision, case-based discussions, and constructive feedback, this one-on-one mentorship fosters professionalism, discipline, humility, and ethical practice—values that PAAS considers essential to the specialty.

Mentors are selected not only for their technical expertise, but also for their teaching aptitude, integrity, and commitment to excellence.

Admission and Graduation

Admission into the PAAS-TMG program is selective and merit-based. Applicants must be licensed physicians, preferably with a background in surgery or dermatology, and must undergo a screening process that includes credential verification, interviews, and a demonstrated commitment to completing the full training program.

Graduation is not automatic. Trainees must:

• Meet defined clinical and academic performance standards

• Pass all competency-based evaluations

• Demonstrate professional growth in skill, discipline, attitude, and ethical conduct

Successful graduates become eligible to apply for PAAS Fellowship and may eventually serve as mentors within the program.

Legacy and Impact

Since its establishment, the PAAS Training Management Group has trained hundreds of physicians, many of whom now lead reputable aesthetic clinics in the Philippines and abroad. TMG alumni are distinguished by their technical proficiency, discipline, and unwavering commitment to patient safety.

The Training Management Group has also:

• Contributed to national discussions on ethics and medical advertising in aesthetics

• Conducted regional and nationwide training workshops

• Partnered with international institutions to bring global experts to Philippine training programs

• Served as a benchmark for aesthetic surgical training systems in the region

Challenges and Evolution

The increasing prevalence of unregulated aesthetic practice—ranging from non-physician injectors to short, unsupervised “express” training programs—continues to threaten patient safety and professional standards.

In this environment, the PAAS Training Management Group remains steadfast as a guardian of quality, often taking principled and difficult positions to protect patients and preserve the integrity of aesthetic surgery.

To remain relevant and forward-looking, the TMG continuously evolves by integrating:

• Regenerative medicine and stem cell-based therapies

• Energy-based technologies (HIFU, RF, lasers)

• Advanced non-surgical facial sculpting techniques

• Patient communication and medico-legal training

• Practice management and business modules for aesthetic clinics

Looking Ahead

The PAAS Training Management Group envisions continued growth through:

• International accreditation and recognition

• Digital and hybrid learning platforms

• Regional training centers across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao

• Advanced fellowship and diplomate programs in aesthetic surgery

More than producing technically skilled surgeons, the PAAS-TMG is committed to developing ethical leaders—physicians who will uphold evidence-based, patient-first aesthetic surgery and carry the Academy’s values into the future.