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WashU Ophthalmologists Receive 2024 ASOPRS Research Award

Philip Custer, MD, FACS

Philip Custer, MD, FACS

Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Robi Maamari, MD

Robi Maamari, MD

Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

St. Louis, MO – October 18, 2024 – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis’ Drs. Custer and Maamari have been awarded the 2024 American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Research Award for their groundbreaking paper titled The Hatchet Flap for Eyelid and Midfacial Reconstruction: Experience from 70 Cases.” The paper, which was published in the January/February 2024 edition of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (OPRS), presents original research that highlights innovative techniques in the field of ophthalmic plastic surgery.

The ASOPRS Research Award is given annually to authors whose work significantly advances knowledge in the field of ophthalmic plastic surgery. Drs. Custer and Maamari’s research was selected for its clinical relevance, innovation, and the impact it has had on reconstructive surgical techniques.

A Pioneering Approach to Reconstruction

Their paper discusses the Hatchet Flap technique, a novel approach used in eyelid and midfacial reconstruction. The study analyzed the outcomes of 70 cases, demonstrating the effectiveness of this method in enhancing both cosmetic and functional results for patients undergoing reconstructive surgery.

Recognition at the 2024 ASOPRS Fall Meeting

Drs. Custer and Maamari were formally recognized for their achievement at the ASOPRS Fall Meeting, which was held in Chicago, Illinois on Friday, October 18, 2024, during the Awards Ceremony. This recognition further solidifies their contributions to the field of ophthalmic plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures.

About ASOPRS

The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) is a prestigious organization dedicated to fostering excellence in the field of ophthalmic plastic surgery. Each year, it honors researchers and clinicians who make significant contributions to advancing patient care through innovative surgical techniques and scientific discovery.

For more information about ASOPRS Research Award and the work of Drs. Custer and Maamari, ASOPRS or WashU Medicine, please visit:  Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS  | Robi N. Maamari, MD, FACS WashU Medicine | ASOPRS Research Award |


About WashU Medicine

WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, including biomedical research, patient care and educational programs with 2,900 faculty. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools and has grown 56% in the last seven years. Together with institutional investment, WashU Medicine commits well over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training. Its faculty practice is consistently within the top five in the country, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians practicing at 130 locations and who are also the medical staffs of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a storied history in MD/PhD training, recently dedicated $100 million to scholarships and curriculum renewal for its medical students, and is home to top-notch training programs in every medical subspecialty as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communications sciences.