In this month’s installment of updates, I want to focus on a new core section of the program that I came up with called Master Classes, which replaces Focused Sessions/Workshops. So, what is a master class? Think of the classes where you buy a video session on how to paint a portrait, how to play golf with more proficiency, or how to appreciate wine better. During the class the teacher(s) thoroughly covers the topic, and you leave content with the base of knowledge you have acquired. At the World Congress each master class will feature two speakers, divided into 30 minutes each, allowing time for each speaker to go much more granular on a specific topic. My vision is to have that speaker use a combination of videos of various lengths, interactive audience participation, and traditional PowerPoint slides and handouts, to help a practicing surgeon perform better at one’s own practice on the featured subject.
Here is the lineup that I have planned for this year’s master classes:
First up, Dr. Arthur Tykocinski (Brazil) and Dr. Ximena Vila (Spain), moderated by Dr. Jean Devroye (Belgium), will give a master class on “FUE from Harvesting to Implanters”, which as the title suggests will be a physician-centric approach to FUE where the physician performs every aspect of the procedure from start to finish and how to achieve this advanced level in one’s practice.
Second, Dr. Christian Bisanga and Dr. Patrick Mwamba (both from Belgium), moderated by Dr. Achiamah Osei-Tutu (USA), will give a master class on “Afro Hair FUE”, which will obviously explore the complexities in managing Afro hair with FUE.
Third, Tony Mangubat and Jerry Cooley, moderated by Dr. Bob True (all from USA), will discuss a step-by-step approach to perform scalp tissue expansion for reconstructive purposes and also scalp tissue excision to correct cutis verticis gyrata (CVG), respectively.
Fourth, Dr. Tsvetalin Zarev (Bulgaria) and Dr. Gabriel Fachini (Brazil), moderated by Dr. Marcio Crisostomo (Brazil), will give a master class on “Gigasession FUE”, with 10,000+ graft-session sizes but without evidence of overharvesting (I’ve got to see it to believe it!).
Fifth, Dr. Felix Popescu (Romania) and Dr. Asim Shamalak (UK), moderated by Dr. Sebastian Yriart (Argentina), will give a master class on “Reconstructive FUE into Scars”, as these are two masters on this complex subject with a lot to offer.
Finally, Dr. Konstantinos Anastassakis (Greece) and Dr. Akaki Tsilosani (Georgia), moderated by Dr. Vance Elliott (Canada), will present their techniques on “FUE/FUT Combo”. The master classes will occur each day, and you will be able to choose between two options to attend.
I hope that these master classes will transform your experience in Berlin and maybe become a staple part of future programs as well.
My team and I have completed work on reviewing all 227 abstract submissions and I have gone through multiple rounds of edits and am at the last stages of the final draft of the program. I am super excited about how awesome and unique this program is this year!