When a medical professional is able to achieve board certification, they have accomplished an amazing feat. Double board certification is a challenging, long and difficult process. It requires a medical professional to be focused on their education and to dedicate many years of their life to training in the real world.
Prior to getting board certification, an individual must first go to a university, and then they have to get a medical degree from a school that is recognized by the medical community. However, their training does not end there. The next step is a residency program that can last for between three to five years.
After finishing that residency program, a surgeon can go on to get board-certified, but only in the specialty where they completed their residency. They can do this by proving to the board that they have the competency and understanding of their field of medicine that meets the standards the board has set out.
There is a series of oral exams as well as written exams. And once a surgeon has received board certification, it is not something that they hold onto indefinitely. In fact, they need to go back for additional training and testing. This training and testing is to make sure that they are up-to-date with the latest medical technology, as well as the communication practices, ethical practices and safety practices related to the field that they specialize in.
Some cosmetic surgeons, especially those who work on the face, first get certified in otolaryngology. This is plastic surgery that focuses on the head and neck area. Then they can go in for their second certification, which allows them to focus on facial plastic surgery.
In order to be a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, an individual must be able to show the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery that they have a medical license, that they have a good history of providing quality clinical care to their patients and that they’ve worked on at least 100 facial plastic surgeries. They also must pass a test that lasts for two days. Finally, they must show that they agree with the board’s code of ethics.
Obviously, becoming double board-certified is not an easy achievement. It is far from a walk in the park. It does require hard work, dedication and a desire to want to learn and provide the best care for patients.
Therefore, it is easy to see why patients would feel more secure with a doctor who has double board certification. Not only have they proven that they understand the surgery they are performing, but they also have clearly shown that they are dedicated to being the best in their field.
When it comes to any work that is done on your face, you only want that work to be performed by the best. This is because your face is what you show to the world. Work done by anything less than the best is not even an option.
Not only is Dr. Ayala a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngologist, but he is also the first Harvard-trained otolaryngologist and only board-certified facial plastic surgeon in the Rio Grande Valley area. At Ayala ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in McAllen, you can be confident that you are getting the best treatment possible. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more.