Faculty in MAFAC Mayo Clinic 2023
Dr. Ryu's "DEEP PLANE FACELIFT" Lecture in
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, U.S.A
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 of RNWOOD Plastic Surgery served as Faculty at the Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC) held at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in August 2023. Organized by Prof. Basel Sharaf under the leadership of Dr. Bryan Mendelson, the three-day course combined a facial anti-aging symposium with hands-on cadaver dissections at the world’s top-ranked hospital. Dr. Ryu delivered a lecture on the Deep Plane Facelift in Asian Patients, offering an anatomical and cultural perspective that received enthusiastic acclaim from international peers.
The program featured advanced lectures on facial anatomy, comparative and reconstructive techniques, and gender-affirming procedures, drawing over 60 participants from more than 20 countries. Highlights included a private faculty tour of the Mayo Clinic’s Heritage Hall, a formal dinner at the historic Mayo Foundation House, and a heartfelt recognition ceremony honoring Dr. Mendelson’s lifelong contributions. The course concluded with the announcement of MAFAC Mayo Clinic 2024, expanding to four days due to overwhelming success—further cementing MAFAC’s reputation as a global leader in facial anatomy education.
Please enjoy the full article below:
MAFAC (Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course) is the world’s leading academy dedicated to teaching and researching facial anatomy and facelift surgery through cadaver dissection. It is held two to four times a year in the United States, Australia, and Europe. The course was founded by Dr. Bryan Mendelson, who has made historic contributions to facial anatomy and lifting surgery, and is also an author of the American textbook of plastic surgery. I have been serving as a faculty member and participating annually since 2016.
 |
 |
This year’s MAFAC was specially organized as a 3-day course held at the Mayo Clinic, the number one ranked hospital in the United States. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic is a historic institution with a 160-year legacy and has made significant contributions to the advancement of medicine. There, in collaboration with MAFAC—the world’s leading facial anatomy academy—we held a facial anti-aging symposium and a cadaver dissection workshop.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Prof. Matthew D. Dacy, the founding director of Heritage Hall, personally guided us through various parts of the Mayo Clinic, offering the MAFAC faculty an exclusive VIP tour that highlighted the institution’s rich history and significance.
Dr. Bryan Mendelson, who completed his surgical and plastic surgery training there, added personal memories throughout the visit. The Mayo Clinic has made immeasurable contributions to the advancement of medicine—including the development of cortisone, which led to a Nobel Prize; the first use of the heart-lung machine, marking the beginning of open-heart surgery; and the invention of the CT scanner, among many others.
 |
I was particularly impressed by how the legacy of the Mayo Clinic continues to be actively upheld and practiced—reflected in the three interlocking shields of its logo, symbolizing Patient Care, Research, and Education. Equally inspiring was the spirit of Creativity and Generosity exemplified by the Mayo brothers. To physicians, the Mayo Clinic is nothing short of a revered legend. The term “Mayo” is deeply familiar, as it frequently appears in textbooks, surgical instruments, and academic references. Each historical site and exhibit within the Heritage Hall holds its own unique story, and I look forward to sharing them individually whenever the opportunity arises.
 |
This Mayo MAFAC was organized by Prof. Basel Sharaf, one of the MAFAC Faculty, and the artwork displayed is his own creation. As for the backstory—he began the project during the 2020 lockdown, initially as a fun and engaging way to stay busy. Although he had only just started painting at the time and felt the pressure, he reminded himself that it was a refreshing and exciting endeavor during a difficult and gloomy period.
 |
With the guidance of an excellent mentor, he was able to improve step by step. Each Saturday, he visited the studio for a mental reset, often accompanied by dozens of audiobooks. He mentioned there were many times he thought he would never finish the piece, with the windows of the Gonda Building being particularly challenging to depict.
After a year and a half of dedication, he completed the painting, which now proudly hangs in the center of Heritage Hall at the Mayo Clinic. I’m proud to call Basel my friend.
 |
HEALING by Basel Sharaf, M.D. |
This oil painting was inspired by the extraordinary teamwork demonstrated by Mayo Clinic health care providers in their service to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reflects the enduring legacy and forward-looking vision of the Clinic’s founders—from its origins, through the present, and into the future.
"The glory of medicine is that it is constantly moving forward."
 | ||
 |
It was both a privilege and an honor to serve as a faculty member at the Mayo Clinic and to deliver a lecture on “Deep Plane Facelift in Asian Patients.” I am deeply grateful to my friend, Prof. Basel Sharaf, and to the Mendelson Group for organizing such a meaningful and outstanding course.
It was a true honor to speak at Mayo Clinic — the No. 1 ranked hospital in the United States and a historic institution that has made monumental contributions to the field of medicine. Dr. Bryan Mendelson congratulated me with a warm “Well done!” and I received kind words and encouragement from many colleagues and friends.
 |
 |
 |
The Deep Plane Facelift, which has been gaining tremendous momentum worldwide, was reinterpreted from an Asian perspective in my presentation. Dr. Levent Efe’s outstanding medical illustrations were a great help in conveying the concepts. It is an immense joy to be respected by top-tier colleagues from around the globe.
My chapter on this topic is scheduled to be published in Dr. Mendelson’s upcoming book by QMP this December, and a related research paper is nearing completion. It is a profound honor to contribute to the advancement of facial anatomy and rejuvenation surgery alongside such esteemed colleagues.
After successfully completing the first day’s sessions, we enjoyed a welcoming reception. Plastic surgeons from around the world gathered, united by a strong shared passion for facial anatomy and rejuvenation surgery. Even those meeting for the first time felt completely at ease, while longtime friends truly felt like family—the MAFAC family.
 |
 |
The primary purpose of MAFAC (Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course) is to enhance understanding of facial anatomy and the Deep Plane Facelift technique through hands-on cadaver dissection. The lectures by Dr. Bryan Mendelson and Dr. Gerald O'Daniel were exceptional, and I was particularly impressed by Prof. Basel Sharaf’s 3D comprehensive lectures on facial layers and the facial nerve.
 |
At Mayo Clinic, whose motto is Clinical Practice, Research, Education, I truly felt how actively engaged they are in both research and education. Such content would be impossible to produce without an excellent infrastructure and system. Moreover, this course was fascinating not only for its focus on facial anatomy and lifting surgery, but also for presentations ranging from comparative anatomy and ENT lectures to collaborative surgeries following gender-affirming procedures.
Internally, they continue to deepen their expertise while actively expanding their outreach externally. I take great pride in being part of the MAFAC faculty.
 |
 |
 |
The participants in the group I led were plastic surgeons from the United States and Latin America. I have had prior interactions with Dr. Otto Ziegler and Dr. Oscar Fernandez-Diaz, and Otto joined the course upon my recommendation.
 |
 |
Although it was my first time participating in MAFAC, the participants were highly skilled and experienced, and they appeared to truly enjoy the cadaver course. While tutoring, I also shared my own tips that I had mentioned in yesterday’s lecture. The most critical aspect of the Deep Plane Facelift is avoiding nerve damage, and I generously shared the key surgical techniques involved. I encouraged the participants to experience these techniques firsthand, allowing them to feel the nuances through their own touch.
This hands-on cadaver dissection offers a unique opportunity to transform what is seen and heard into deeply embodied knowledge. This is precisely the core mission of our MAFAC (Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course).
 |
 |
 |
Dr. Omar Hussain and Dr. Paul Tran, both from Los Angeles, completed their plastic surgery training here at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Ali Pirayesh from the Netherlands is a guest faculty member and will be the host of the upcoming Amsterdam MAFAC this December. They are all cheerful and outstanding colleagues.
 |
Over the course of two days of cadaver dissection, comprehensive lectures on general and detailed facial anatomy were conducted thoroughly, and facial feminization surgery was meaningfully introduced. Since changes in facial structure are often required following gender-affirming surgery, the specific techniques were demonstrated and practiced hands-on. While not a common procedure, it was a unique and valuable experience. I am proud of MAFAC’s commitment to staying true to its core principles while constantly moving forward.
 |
At the Mayo Clinic, one person I had been eager to meet was Prof. Samir Mardini. He gained worldwide attention, including in the United States, for successfully performing a complete face transplant in 2016. He reconstructed the face of a young man severely injured by a gunshot wound, giving him a new lease on life. This remarkable story was widely covered by major media outlets such as CNN and the BBC.
To prepare for this groundbreaking surgery, the Mayo Clinic surgical team dedicated over 50 Saturdays across three years to meticulous planning and practice. I first learned about this from Prof. Basel Sharaf at MAFAC in Melbourne in 2018, and Prof. Mardini played a significant role in that surgical team.
 |
 |
The surgery was a 56-hour marathon, largely because every fine branch of the facial nerve had to be meticulously matched and connected. The role of the facial nerve is absolutely critical for a variety of facial animations and expressions. Generally, successful transplant surgery requires smooth blood circulation and effective suppression of rejection. However, when considering quality of life, the function of the facial nerves and muscles cannot be overlooked. Imagine a face without expression—wouldn’t it appear mask-like?
The criteria for success were set much higher, extending beyond the surgery itself to include the patient’s social life afterward. This was a sophisticated, high-level project that truly exemplified the Mayo Clinic’s pioneering spirit in advancing medical history.
 |
 |
I had a brief conversation with Dr. Mardini for about ten minutes. I appreciated his warm hospitality, and he mentioned that he had been informed about me as the only Asian faculty member at this MAFAC, coming from Seoul. Having spent a significant time at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, he is quite familiar with Asian culture.
He was delighted to hear that I will be participating as a panelist alongside Prof. Yu-Ray Chen at next month’s MEVOS conference in China and asked me to convey his warm regards. It was a tremendous honor to meet such an esteemed figure. I passed on his greetings to Prof. Yu-Ray Chen, who responded after seeing the photo we took together.
MENDELSON DEEP PLANE FACE LIFT AND MAYO CLINIC AESTHETIC FACIAL CONTOURING HANDS-ON SURGICAL SKILLS, August 2023
 |
 |
The participants’ response was truly amazing, and I consider this course, along with the MAFAC held in Brisbane in 2019 featuring guest faculty Dr. Sam Hamra and Dr. Andrew Jacono, to be among the very best MAFAC courses to date. Having been part of the faculty annually since 2016, I can say this Mayo MAFAC was nothing short of perfect.
I extend my deepest gratitude to my wonderful friend and colleague Basel, as well as the entire Mayo Clinic team.
 |
Dinner was held at the Mayo Foundation House, the former residence of Dr. William J. Mayo, one of the Mayo brothers. He donated the house to be used as a meeting place "for the good of mankind." It now serves as a venue for Mayo Clinic meetings and events and is not open to the general public. We took a commemorative photo there with the MAFAC faculty to mark Mayo MAFAC 2023 at this historic location.
 |
 |
 |
Jazz is actually one of my favorites and feels like a close companion during work. Interestingly, the band members are faculty professors from the Mayo Clinic medical school.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
There was a certification ceremony held at the Mayo Clinic, a place that has shaped the history of medicine, and specifically in the former home of its founder, Dr. Mayo. It was a meaningful and honorable occasion. Each recipient was warmly applauded as their names were called.
Particularly moving was the standing ovation and prolonged cheers when the certificate was presented to Dr. Bryan Mendelson. Dr. Basel Sharaf, who flawlessly organized and led the Mayo MAFAC, also received enthusiastic applause and cheers. It was a deeply touching moment that will be remembered for a lifetime.
An emergency occurred on the flight back to Seoul (LA-ICN, KE018, A380). Upon hearing the announcement, I immediately rushed to assist. A 10-year-old boy had collapsed while heading to the lounge. He had a known history of nut allergy and was developing a rash all over his body. After administering oral steroids and antihistamines, I checked the emergency kit for epinephrine, ready to use it immediately if signs of anaphylaxis appeared.
Although he showed no respiratory distress or other severe symptoms, his blood pressure was somewhat low. We closely monitored him, and fortunately, his symptoms improved, allowing him to return home safely.
 |
Although MAFAC is held two to four times a year, the Mayo MAFAC was truly exceptional. Over 60 faculty members and participants from more than 20 countries came together. The course exceeded all expectations, and as a result, MAFAC at Mayo Clinic 2024 has been confirmed as a four-day event. MAFAC is constantly moving forward!
 |
Proud to be part of the MAFAC Faculty — looking forward to being together forever!
MAFAC in Miami 2023
https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2023/04/faculty-in-mafac-asaps-miami-2023.html
MAFAC in Melbourne 2022
https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2022/10/faculty-in-melbourne-2022.html
MAFAC in New Orleans 2019
https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2019/05/asaps-mafac-2019-in-new-orleans.html
MAFAC in New York 2018
https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2018/05/aesthetic-meeting-2018-in-new-york.html
MAFAC in Melbourne 2018
https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2018/12/mafac-faculty-in-melbourne-2018.html
MAFAC in San Diego 2017
https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2017/05/invited-faculty-in-mafac-san-diego-2017.html
MAFAC in Las Vegas 2016
https://rnwoodplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2025/07/invited-faculty-participated-lecture.html
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.
#deepplane #deepplanefacelift #DP #FL #NL #FNL #facelift #necklift #faceliftexpert #faceliftspecialist #submentoplasty #deepneck #Gangnam #Seoul #SouthKorea #RNWOOD #RNWOODplasticsurgery #Center #Facial #Rejuvenation #Antiaging #MAFAC #Faculty #DrRyu #minheeryu #seoultravel #kbeauty #plasticsurgery #kaesthetics #aesthetics #composite #MayoClinic
 |
Comments
Post a Comment