MAFAC Faculty in Melbourne 2018
MAFAC Faculty in Melbourne 2018
This is an original article written by Dr. Minhee Ryu from RNWOOD Plastic Surgery in Seoul, South Korea, translated in English for convenience:
The Melbourne Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC), held at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, is a leading global program combining lectures and cadaver dissections on facial anatomy and facelift surgery. In 2018, Dr. Minhee Ryu served as faculty and dissection tutor, marking his fifth participation in the course.
Led by Dr. Bryan Mendelson and Prof. Mark Ashton, the course emphasized detailed anatomical understanding for facial rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Ryu guided international participants, particularly from Taiwan, through surgical anatomy and technique refinement.
He also engaged with world experts including Dr. Levent Efe, Dr. Tim, and Dr. Basel Sharaf from the Mayo Clinic, discussing collaborative research and academic exchange. The experience reaffirmed Dr. Ryu’s dedication to advancing global education and innovation in facial anatomy and aesthetic surgery.
Please enjoy the full article below:
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The Melbourne Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC) is an educational program that teaches surgical anatomy and facelift techniques through cadaver dissection. It is held twice a year—once in the spring as a one-day course during the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) meeting in the U.S., and once in the fall as a three-day course in Australia. When I first attended in 2012, it was held at the University of Melbourne Medical School, but recently, it has been hosted at The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). RACS is the headquarters of surgery in Australia, overseeing seven divisions such as general surgery, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and more. Though it has changed now, until a few years ago, new surgical specialists would gather in the main auditorium of RACS to receive their certificates by name—one by one. That tradition alone shows the deep history and prestige of RACS; it’s truly the heart of surgical medicine in Australia.
At this venue, lectures and hands-on dissections were held on facial anatomy and facial rejuvenation surgery, and I had the honor of participating as a faculty member and dissection tutor.
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The first day of MAFAC began with general lectures on facial anatomy by Dr. Mendelson and Dr. Ashton. The second and third days consisted of more specific lectures and cadaver dissections. Participants examined each anatomical layer from skin to bone, along with key structures like nerves and muscles. Functional understanding was also emphasized. Participants directly performed procedures such as facelift, neck lift, forehead lift, submentoplasty, and blepharoplasty, and the program was meticulously designed to help them understand the interactions between anatomical structures. This was my fifth time attending MAFAC and my fourth time serving as faculty. What continues to amaze me is how Dr. Mendelson’s theories and techniques are constantly evolving and expanding. Despite being a leading figure in this field—the author of the first chapter on facelifts in the American plastic surgery textbook and numerous foundational research papers—his passion for and responsibility toward the field remain unwavering. Simply observing him up close is a profound learning experience and an honor.
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https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2018/05/aesthetic-meeting-2018-in-new-york.html
https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2017/05/invited-faculty-in-mafac-san-diego-2017.html
https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2025/07/invited-faculty-participated-lecture.html
In addition to his original theories and surgical innovations, Dr. Mendelson is also renowned for his medical illustrations. His theories and illustrations are so frequently cited in presentations on facial anatomy and facial rejuvenation that it would be no exaggeration to say they are nearly ubiquitous. I finally had the chance to meet the artist behind those illustrations. Dr. Levent Efe, a medical doctor and trained medical illustrator, completed his medical illustration training at Johns Hopkins Medical School. As both a practicing physician and medical illustrator, he not only depicted facial anatomy in fine detail but also visualized Dr. Mendelson’s theories in 3D, making complex structures easier to understand. This is an extraordinary and commendable achievement—an invaluable gift for all doctors studying this field, not just plastic surgeons. The brilliant collaboration between Dr. Mendelson and Dr. Levent has made great contributions to the development of facial anatomy and facelift history, and as part of the MAFAC Family, I feel a deep sense of pride.
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I once asked him, as someone who took such an unconventional path, if his life was fulfilling. He answered yes, and that he remains very satisfied with his choice. He’s spent nearly 20 years having coffee almost daily with Dr. Mendelson, discussing facial anatomy and creating illustrations together. Both of them are truly amazing, and I believe each step they take is a new chapter in the history of facial anatomy and facial rejuvenation procedures.
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This MAFAC session included participants from Australia, the U.S., Europe, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, with particularly strong participation from Taiwan. I served as a dissection tutor for two groups (four participants per group), and all of them were plastic surgeons from Taiwan. Perhaps because they were already familiar with each other, their teamwork was excellent and the atmosphere was great. As a tutor, simply guiding them was enough for smooth progress, and I stepped in to assist only when the pace slowed. I hope they were able to learn and gain a lot.
A highlight of MAFAC is the evening banquet. Held at The Savage Club in Melbourne CBD, everyone dressed formally and enjoyed a wonderful evening. We started with a cocktail reception on the first floor, then moved upstairs for a private course dinner. I was a bit surprised to find myself seated at the main table. When Prof. Mark Ashton, MAFAC chairman, introduced the faculty, he introduced me second—right after Dr. Chin-Ho Wong. He described me as a passionate faculty member dedicated to facial anatomy and facelift-related research and publications. Honestly, I don’t think I’m quite at that level, but I took it as encouragement to work even harder, especially after seeing how seriously they value research publications. It was a moment that made me reflect on the importance of academic publishing. Without peer review and evaluation from global authorities, publishing a paper is impossible, and this makes it more meaningful than simply presenting at a conference. I believe that’s one reason why figures like Dr. Mendelson, Dr. Ashton, and Dr. Wong are so highly respected.
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Dr. Basel Sharaf newly joined MAFAC this year as an international faculty member. A Harvard Medical School graduate, he is now a plastic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, USA. We had many discussions based on mutual academic respect and shared interests. We talked openly about our personal journeys, families, and future visions. When I mentioned I had been preparing for an MBA since 2019, he said he was doing the same—which surprised me. He even suggested we study together at Harvard Kennedy School, though I told him that might not be feasible for me. We agreed to stay in touch and discuss frequently. He also said that if I ever visit Mayo Clinic, he’d arrange a lecture opportunity, highlighting how it could benefit residents and staff interested in East Asian facial anatomy and facelift techniques. Since Dr. Mendelson trained at Mayo Clinic, just the thought of lecturing at such a prestigious institution felt incredibly honorable.
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Dr. Chen, a plastic surgeon from Taiwan, has gained experience in the U.S. and Latin America and is an energetic colleague. He’s a man’s man, and we shared a similar vibe and had a great time together late into the night. I was invited to speak at the Taiwan Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (TSAPS) and look forward to seeing him again there.
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After the 3-day MAFAC Course ended successfully, I was invited to Dr. Mendelson’s home. We had drinks on the terrace under Melbourne’s fantastic weather and toured his house. When we went up to his study, I saw one of my own research papers placed on his desk. I had heard through Dr. Wong that he was preparing something related to a few of my articles—perhaps this was part of that. Regardless, seeing my paper on the desk of someone I deeply admire both personally and professionally brought a wave of emotion. I asked to take a photo to capture the moment forever. As he smiled warmly, picked up my paper, handed it to me, and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, it was a moment I’ll never forget. That might just be my “life photo.”
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The final night’s after-party started at Dr. Mendelson’s home and later moved to an Italian restaurant, where we celebrated late into the night. Faculty members and hardworking staff congratulated and encouraged one another, laughed, and enjoyed the night together. With drinks flowing and multiple rounds of festivities, it felt just like Korea.
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Back in 2011 and 2012, I had briefly visited Melbourne to study, but didn’t find the city particularly charming at the time. Despite the great weather and clean, fresh environment, I thought it was a bit dull. But this time, spending more time with people and staying out late changed that impression. Clubs and bars exist everywhere—I just didn’t know about them before. This MAFAC experience made me really come to like Melbourne. Growing closer with such outstanding people and enjoying deep conversations about academics and the future was an unparalleled joy. These memories from Melbourne will be beautifully cherished in a special place in my heart.
Dr. Minhee Ryu, M.D.
RNWOOD Plastic Surgery
Seoul, South Korea
(Source: https://blog.naver.com/rejuvemaster/22139826694 )
Dr. Minhee Ryu is a World-Class FACELIFT Specialist and Global Educator, who is deeply committed to sharing his facial rejuvenation surgery and anatomy expertise. As a lecturer, tutor, and demonstrator, he is invited to deliver DEEP PLANE FACELIFT presentations and perform live surgery and cadaver dissection Demonstrations in more than 15 countries, including Korea, the US, Europe, Singapore, Australia, Japan, and beyond.
Recognized worldwide for his expertise in DEEP PLANE FACELIFT, Dr. Ryu is a Faculty Member at MAFAC since 2016, a guest Faculty Member at Mayo Clinic since 2023, and an Editorial Board Member for the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal (SCI) since 2019. He is an active member of KSPRS, ASPS, ASAPS, and ISAPS. As a global top-tier leader in Facelifts, Dr. Minhee Ryu makes dedicated contributions to academic advancement and surgical education.
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