As a gay, bi-racial (Black and Filipino) man, I’ve always felt a deep calling to care for disadvantaged and marginalized patient populations. Initially, I was drawn to transplant surgery—my dream was to become a pediatric transplant surgeon—but during medical school, I became fascinated by plastic and reconstructive surgery.
In my third year of Plastic Surgery residency at Stanford, around 2009, I attended a grand rounds talk by Dr. Doug Ousterhout, a pioneer in facial feminization surgery (FFS). The talk was transformative—I was hooked. I knew that gender-affirming surgery was the path I wanted to pursue. Beyond clinical care, I was driven to engage in research (a lifelong passion) and advocacy to improve care for a community that had been overlooked for far too long. However, the journey wasn’t straightforward. At the time, no formal training programs in gender-affirming care existed, and I didn’t personally know any gender-affirming surgeons.
When I shared my interest with the plastic surgery department at Stanford, they directed me to Judy Van Maasdam, a mental health professional in Palo Alto, a former board member of World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), and an early pioneer and advocate for the transgender community. Judy took me under her wing and became more than a mentor—she became family. Through her vast connections, she introduced me to key figures in the field, including Dr. Don Laub, the former chief of plastic surgery at Stanford and a pioneer in both international health and gender-affirming surgery. Both Judy and Dr. Laub were instrumental in guiding me along this path during my time at Stanford.
I owe so much to Judy. She single-handedly opened the door to this world for me. I’ve included a photo of us from 2014, when we traveled to Bangkok for my first-ever WPATH conference. At the time, I was still in training and presenting my first talk to an audience of renowned, experienced gender surgeons. I was nervous, but Judy was my rock—encouraging, comforting, and introducing me to people who have since become trusted colleagues and lifelong friends.
I’ve also included a more recent photo of us from Align’s open house last year. Sadly, Judy passed away on New Year’s Day 2024. Her loss is immeasurable. Judy, I miss you immensely, and words cannot fully express my gratitude. You’ve not only changed my life but also the lives of countless patients, surgeons, and everyone fortunate enough to meet and work with you.
Thank you, Judy, for everything.