As we prepare for the ISAPS Olympiad World Congress in Singapore, we are excited to celebrate Asian culture, especially its connection to aesthetic plastic surgery. In this issue, we are pleased to introduce our National Secretaries from China and Indonesia and highlight their initiatives. The presence of two women leaders in this month's edition also coincides with International Women's Day on March 8, 2025. Please join us in celebrating these remarkable ISAPS women, all of our women members in the #ISAPSFamily, and everyone who supports them.

We invite you to meet Dr. Dan Li from China and Dr. Elida Siburian from Indonesia. They are extraordinary leaders, and we are fortunate to have them represent ISAPS, support our mission, and contribute to the success of the #ISAPSFamily.

Dr. Dan Li, National Secretary (China)

ISAPS: First, congratulations on being nominated for National Secretary. How did it come to fruition, and what work did it require?

LI: It’s a very interesting history for me; I recently reviewed my files and found a letter from 2009 from an ISAPS teaching course in Beijing.

I had just graduated from a leading university, Peking Union Medical College, where I got my MD and PhD. That year, I received an invitation to an ISAPS teaching course, but I was so busy and unable to attend. But I recall ISAPS members visiting Beijing. I feel so lucky because, after all this time of knowing about ISAPS, I am now a National Secretary and can serve this great organization.

ISAPS: What does it mean for you to be elected as ISAPS National Secretary, and how do you see your role’s impact in helping others get more engaged?

LI: The National Secretary is a significant position for me, as it allows me to serve all the doctors, have them communicate with me, and be able to reach surgeons outside of our country. I view my position as a crosspoint for this exchange of information.

ISAPS: What do you consider necessary for the success of aesthetic plastic surgery?

LI: I have a very good sense of beauty, with Plastic Surgery as my major; 10 years ago, I started to focus on aesthetic surgery, and eight years ago, I joined ISAPS. For continued success in our specialty, we must first be ‘the thinkers’; aesthetic plastic surgery is more than just a cultural perception, and we must communicate with each other to learn as much as we can. For example, when considering human tissue in surgery, there are many techniques and ways to modify different types of tissues. I think we are still at the very beginning of aesthetic medicine.

With so much still to learn, this is one of the reasons why communicating frequently is so important. That is why I am happy about the National Secretary position; it’s not only about accepting this role but also having the responsibility to get more opportunities to communicate regularly.

ISAPS: What is on your agenda as National Secretary?

LI: I hope we can entice local plastic surgeons to join ISAPS at the beginning of the year. To facilitate this, I am working with the Education Council Chairs and hope to get ISAPS faculty to join local meetings and present. I hope to have a combination of lectures, discussions, live surgeries, and cadaver courses, providing local Chinese plastic surgeons with new concepts. And I also want to encourage Chinese doctors to attend the ISAPS Olympiad World Congress in Singapore. 

ISAPS: What does ISAPS represent to you?

LI: When I attended the meeting in Cartagena, even though I had never visited South America, it felt like I was coming home since we all have a shared aesthetic plastic education background, which makes it feel like we are all family.

What means a lot to me is the emphasis ISAPS places on patient safety, a fundamental principle for our specialty, and being able to deliver the importance of this locally and hopefully get more people to join based on this notion. I also want to engage current members with interactive online educational opportunities. Patient education is critical, but even more so is education among surgeons. ISAPS is known among doctors, but it should also be familiar to patients. If the public sees ISAPS as the great organization it is, we will gain public awareness and recognition.

ISAPS: Will you be attending the ISAPS Olympiad World Congress in Singapore? What does the city represent to you?

LI: Yes, I will! I look forward to it. Singapore is actually very similar to the position of the National Secretaries, as it serves as a crosspoint between East and West and is also a wonderful vacation spot.

Dr. Elida Siburian, National Secretary (Indonesia)

ISAPS: As National Secretary, what is at the top of your agenda for helping others get more engaged in ISAPS? 

SIBURIAN:  I will continue and be actively introducing ISAPS and the benefits of membership, especially to young plastic surgeons and residents. I will also encourage the active members to participate in ISAPS events to enhance their knowledge in aesthetic plastic surgery, both in terms of sharing expertise and exploring the latest tools, equipment or technology.

Additionally, updating ISAPS activities through the national organization’s social media such as WhatsApp group is an effective way to keep everyone informed and engaged.

ISAPS: How do you foresee implementing the plan, and why is it so important?

SIBURIAN:   This plan is very important because joining an international plastic surgery organization at an early stage not only helps improve the standards of aesthetic plastic surgery in Indonesia but also creates a collaborative and educational network. A more engaged ISAPS community can provide better and higher-quality plastic surgery services and, ultimately, contribute to a more solid and coordinated international aesthetic plastic surgery network.

ISAPS: What advice would you give to other women who are looking to develop their careers and get into leadership positions?

SIBURIAN: Women must have confidence, build a supportive community, and never stop learning—both as leaders and in aesthetic plastic surgery. Continuous learning is essential to stay at the forefront of the profession and to grow as a leader who can inspire and empower others.

ISAPS: What does it mean for you to have the ISAPS Olympic World Congress coming to Asia in 2025, and why is this a "must-attend" event for plastic surgeons?

SIBURIAN: It is a great opportunity to participate in international aesthetic plastic surgery events, whether for learning, sharing knowledge, or building friendships with fellow plastic surgeons from around the world. This is especially valuable for young plastic surgeons and residents who may be attending an ISAPS event for the first time. It is a "must-attend" event because it brings together plastic surgeons from around the world to share knowledge, build friendships, and establish connections, and it is conveniently located near our country.