Faculty in Melbourne 2022
Faculty in MAFAC Melbourne 2022
This is an original article written by Dr. Minhee Ryu from RNWOOD Plastic Surgery in Seoul, South Korea, translated in English for convenience:
Dr. Minhee Ryu served as faculty at the Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC), held at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in Melbourne from October 12–14, 2022. After a three year hiatus, the course reunited leading experts under Dr. Bryan Mendelson’s guidance. Dr. Ryu led Group 8, assisting Australian plastic surgeons in cadaver dissections and sharing insights on facial anatomy and rejuvenation surgery.
The event gathered world-renowned faculty, fostering academic exchange and close professional bonds through lectures, discussions, and formal dinners. During the course, the official renaming from the “Melbourne” to the “Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course” was announced, honoring Dr. Mendelson’s lasting impact on facial anatomy and facelift education. Dr. Ryu expressed pride in contributing as part of the Mendelson Group, dedicated to advancing global standards in aesthetic surgery.
Please enjoy the full article below:
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RACS, short for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, is a prestigious institution steeped in history and tradition. The heritage building is not only architecturally impressive but also equipped with excellent facilities. While the course was initially held at the University of Melbourne, it has been conducted at RACS for the past several years.
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Before the main MAFAC event commenced, we had a morning tea gathering at Dr. Mendelson’s clinic. It was a warm and pleasant time during which we shared recent updates and personal stories. Dr. Mendelson offered kind advice and encouragement, and he thoughtfully inquired about my family as well.
He has always been a trusted and supportive mentor, and I remain deeply grateful for his generous spirit and considerate nature. It was also a joy to reconnect with the international MAFAC faculty members, and we exchanged warm embraces in celebration of our reunion.
I first participated in MAFAC as a student in 2012 and have been involved as a faculty member every year since 2016. The course manual for this year consisted of approximately 40 pages—nearly double the length of the early editions—reflecting the continuous refinement and expansion of Dr. Mendelson’s anatomical theories and content.
Dr. Mendelson has authored the chapters on facial anatomy, aging, and facelift surgery in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' official textbook, Plastic Surgery (Neligan). These chapters have been regularly revised and updated in each new edition, demonstrating his ongoing contributions to the field. Notably, his theories have also been incorporated into Gray’s Anatomy, the most authoritative text in the field of anatomy. This not only signifies the academic credibility of his work but also marks a historic contribution to the discipline.
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As a faculty member, having a thorough understanding and memorization of the course manual is fundamental. My role is to assist and guide students during their anatomical dissections. I also consider it a unique privilege to be in close proximity to the latest insights in facial anatomy, allowing me to absorb and internalize this knowledge firsthand.
The inspiration and stimulation I gain from this experience serve as a powerful driving force in my academic development. They form the foundation of my research and publications on facial rejuvenation, anatomy, and facelift techniques—particularly from an East Asian perspective.
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The first day of MAFAC consisted of a lecture on facial anatomy theory and an orientation session. In the evening, we had a welcome cocktail reception where participants had the chance to get to know one another. I was assigned to lead Group 8, which included four students — all of whom were Australian plastic surgeons. Two of them were young surgeons, while the other two appeared to be more senior than I am.
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As the MAFAC hands-on course officially began, each session started with a lecture covering a specific region of the face, followed by corresponding dissection practice. Each group was assigned two cadaver heads, with participants paired up into two teams per group.
All four participants in my group were highly skilled, so there was little need for direct instruction. During the dissections, I would occasionally step in to assist when they had difficulty identifying tissue planes — carefully dissecting the area myself and pointing out key anatomical structures.
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After completing the lectures and dissections for all regions of the face, both faculty and participants gathered for a panel discussion and Q&A session. It was an intense and engaging exchange that lasted for about an hour and a half. During the discussion, I emphasized the importance of carefully observing highly variable nerves and ensuring their preservation.
Among the faculty were renowned figures such as Dr. Bryan Mendelson, Prof. Mark Ashton, Dr. Tim Papadopoulos, Dr. Ruth Graf, my close friend from Singapore Dr. Chin-Ho Wong — who is like a brother — and Prof. Basel Sharaf from the Mayo Clinic, with whom I share a deep friendship.
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The MAFAC faculty truly represents a gathering of world-class experts. Many are authors of the official textbook of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, editors and chief editors of SCI journals, and current or former presidents of national and international societies.
Their academic excellence is matched by their significant contributions to global professional organizations. Working alongside them, learning from them, and sharing these moments has been a tremendous source of inspiration and motivation in my life.
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One of the highlights of MAFAC is the elegant dinner gathering. After an intense day of learning together, faculty and students come together in the evening to enjoy steak and wine in a warm, convivial setting.
While the formal dress code and fine dining add a sense of occasion, the deeper value lies in the opportunity to build genuine connections — not only between participants, but especially among the faculty.
Though we come from all over the world, there is a strong shared understanding: a passion for facial anatomy and rejuvenation, and the common experiences of midlife. As the evening unfolds with good food and drinks, conversations naturally turn toward family, personal stories, and common struggles — revealing how similar our lives often are.
This year, two new faculty members joined us from Germany and Australia. Dr. Mendelson’s warm words of introduction brought back memories of when I was in that very seat back in 2016.
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On the final day of MAFAC, the scientific meeting of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) began, and we enjoyed the Gala Party together.
I had a warm reunion with Prof. Naveen Somia, the president of ASAPS, as we recalled memories from MAFAC Brisbane three years ago. As the evening progressed and the atmosphere became more relaxed, he took me aside to introduce me to his mentee, Dr. Lin, who is of Chinese descent. I was touched by this thoughtful gesture.
I still remember how he had sent me a kind email three years ago to express his appreciation — and once again, his attentiveness and kindness left a lasting impression. I’m simply grateful.
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Over drinks and conversation, the MAFAC faculty ended up sharing and comparing our ages — and it turned out I was the second youngest in the group. Most of the international faculty members were within a year or two of each other, so we were all in a similar age range.
The two new faculty members who joined us this time, from Germany and Australia, were both exceptionally kind and thoughtful in nature.
One of them looked remarkably like the British actor Hugh Grant — perhaps even more handsome, in my opinion. With both good looks and a gracious personality, I couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.
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A Special Lunch was held to celebrate recent achievements with the MAFAC family and ASAPS friends. Hosted by Dr. Mendelson’s wife, the event was attended by the president and vice president of both MAFAC and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).
There have been remarkable recent research breakthroughs that challenge conventional concepts in facial surgical anatomy, and MAFAC continues to expand steadily. The final MAFAC workshop of 2022 is scheduled for November in Amsterdam, and for next year, four workshops have already been confirmed: two in the United States, one in Australia, and one in Europe. Each workshop has been selling out quickly well in advance.
We proudly identify ourselves as the “Mendelson Group,” distinguished by outstanding research and education.
During the lunch, everyone shared their thoughts, expressing commitment to continued growth and development.
It is my great privilege and honor to be part of the MAFAC Faculty in my life…!
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In addition, the official discussion regarding the renaming of MAFAC took place. It was decided to change the name from the “Melbourne Advanced Facial Anatomy Course” to the “Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course.”
Dr. Mendelson’s academic contributions to facial anatomy and facelift surgery are so profound and remarkable that words can hardly express their significance. As the Head and Founder of MAFAC, he has consistently led outstanding achievements in both research and education.
Although MAFAC began in Melbourne, Australia, it has expanded globally with courses being held or planned in the United States, the Netherlands, France, Singapore, Brazil, and many other locations worldwide.
In recognition of Dr. Mendelson’s legacy and spirit, the announcement of the “Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course” was met with heartfelt applause.
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Among the students in Group 8 that I supervised, I especially remember Dr. Kim, a Korean-Australian plastic surgeon, Dr. Hussain from Los Angeles, USA, and Dr. Oswaldo from Mexico. Although our time together was short, we built a strong friendship. They all said that if I ever visit Seoul or Beijing, I should feel free to reach out anytime.
All of them were fond of Korean food and quite familiar with it, and we even planned to enjoy it together with soju and beer (somaek) sometime.
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Among the MAFAC faculty, I share a particularly close bond with Chin-Ho from Singapore and Basel from the United States. It was truly heartening to see them in person again after three years, and some of the deep conversations we shared still linger in my mind.
Knowing that we will now be able to meet several times each year feels like returning to how things used to be.
I am considering serving as faculty for MAFAC in 2023 at both the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and in Amsterdam, Netherlands. If my schedule allows, I plan to participate in all the sessions.
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Proud to be part of the MAFAC Faculty — looking forward to being together forever!
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Dr. Minhee Ryu, M.D.
RNWOOD Plastic Surgery
Seoul, South Korea
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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