Earlier this month, the Align Surgical team proudly showed up—and showed out—at the 75th Annual Meeting of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS). With a presence that spanned research presentations, panel moderation, new member inductions, and meaningful conversations across the field, Align was deeply embedded in every corner of this landmark event.
Here’s what each member of our team took away from this memorable and inspiring weekend:
Dr. Pang: Leading and Learning
As someone who co-chaired both the main CSPS program and the Medical Student/Resident Symposium, I had the unique privilege of helping shape this year’s content to be thoughtful, inclusive, and relevant for surgeons and students at every stage of their careers. From moderating sessions to judging resident presentations alongside Dr. Satterwhite, I was continually inspired by the level of talent and passion on display.
One of the most meaningful moments was cheering on our medical students—Meg Quint, Maissa Trabilsky, and Diego Gomez—as they presented their research. Maissa even won a poster award! It’s moments like these that remind me how essential mentorship and education are to the future of our field. At Align, we believe that excellence in patient care is deeply tied to showing up for our profession, our patients, and the next generation of plastic surgeons.
Dr. Satterwhite: Connection, Collaboration and Full-Circle Moments
For me, this year’s CSPS conference was a powerful mix of professional growth and personal connection. Whether it was catching up with peers like American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) President Dr. Scott Hollenbeck or reconnecting with longtime mentor and current CSPS President Dr. Gordon Lee, the weekend was full of opportunities to deepen relationships that span years and coasts.
I was especially inspired by conversations about the future of AI in plastic surgery—how it can shape surgical planning, documentation and training. And it was a joy to share those insights with Bay Area colleague and former ASPS President Dr. Steve Williams.
Of course, one of the highlights was spending quality time with our Align and research teams. From bonding over wine tasting in Napa to strategizing about supporting gender-affirming surgeons in today’s challenging political climate, the entire weekend reminded me why I’m so proud of our collaborative and mission-driven work. As someone who first connected with CSPS as a resident (and even won the Best Resident Paper Award twice), this was a full-circle moment in the best way.
Dr. Breanna Jedrzejewski: A Homecoming and a New Chapter
As a California native who completed all of my education on the East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest, this year’s CSPS felt like a professional and personal homecoming. Attending as a new member made the experience even more meaningful—it was my first year as part of this vibrant and visionary community.
What struck me most was realizing how many national leaders in plastic surgery hail from California. It reinforced how much influence our state has in shaping the future of our field. I also had the chance to connect with a number of impressive female plastic surgeons—many of whom have had multifaceted and trailblazing careers. I’m thrilled to continue this work next year as co-chair of the CSPS Women’s Council, where I’ll be advocating for both female and non-binary surgeons here in my home state.
Debby Anziano, PA-C: A Strong Align Presence
One of the most powerful parts of CSPS this year was how much it felt like Align was everywhere. Between our research team, medical students, and Dr. Pang’s leadership as co-chair, it truly felt like we had a strong and meaningful presence at every level of the conference.
I also had a wonderful conversation with Dr. Gordon Lee, who shared how much he admires Dr. Satterwhite—not just as a gifted surgeon but as one of his favorite people. We already know how amazing Dr. Satterwhite is, but it’s always heartening to hear that admiration echoed by leaders in our field.
Looking Ahead
From leadership and mentorship to innovation and advocacy, Align’s presence at CSPS 2024 highlighted how far we’ve come and how energized we are to shape the future of gender-affirming surgery in California and beyond.