Dear all,

I would like to welcome you to this year’s Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons meeting at the Croke Park Conference Centre in Dublin. Our Association has grown significantly over the last number of years and we are delighted to welcome new members and established colleagues to our capital city.

This year’s meeting of The Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons has attracted over 50 abstract submissions and case presentations with guest speakers from Ireland, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Sweden. We are delighted to recognise a colleague who contributed to the foundation of our Association and who helped to develop the specialty from its infancy in Ireland.

This year’s programme focuses on microsurgery and lymphatic surgery with contributions from well recognised experts in the area. We believe that the programme highlights International cutting edge expertise in our specialty at the moment.

We will also recognise two colleagues with Honorary Membership who have contributed to teaching and research in Plastic Surgery and who have strong affiliations with our National Association.

I wish you all an enjoyable stay in Dublin and hope that you get an opportunity to visit the various attractions in the city.

He is renowned for his expertise in complex reconstructive surgeries, particularly in head and neck reconstruction and the treatment of sarcomas (bone and soft tissue cancers.  Born in Trinidad, Mr. Ragbir earned his medical degree from the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.He began his surgical training in Trinidad and further specialized in plastic surgery through training in Swansea, Exeter, and Newcastle upon Tyne.After serving as a consultant in the Caribbean, he joined the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2006.  At Newcastle Hospitals, Mr. Ragbir serves as the clinical lead for the North of England Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Service.His NHS practice focuses on head and neck reconstruction and sarcoma surgeries, areas in which he is internationally recognized.

Mr. Ragbir is the immediate past President of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS).He has also served as Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee for UK plastic surgery and is a member of several professional bodies, including BAAPS and BAHNO. In 2024, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by the University of the West Indies, recognizing his contributions to plastic surgery and medical education.

Mr. Ragbir has authored over 60 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, including Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and JPRAS. ​He has been instrumental in surgical education, serving as a training program director and examiner for the Intercollegiate FRCS (Plast) examinations. His commitment to training has been recognized with awards such as the PLASTA “UK Plastic Surgery Trainer of the Year” in 2020. ​

Beyond his clinical and academic roles, Mr. Ragbir actively participates in humanitarian missions, providing free reconstructive surgeries in countries like Guyana, Tanzania, and India.He also supports medical education in the Caribbean, contributing to the development of postgraduate plastic surgery programs.

He has been serving at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since 2003, bringing over two decades of experience to his practice.​

Professor Fitzgerald’s clinical interests encompass both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. His areas of expertise include breast augmentation, reduction, uplift, liposuction, and abdominoplasty.​  His interests also include Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Reanimation. He also offers medico-legal services, preparing reports for personal injury and clinical negligence cases.

Professor Fitzgerald graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1988. He pursued higher surgical training in Edinburgh and Glasgow, achieving his FRCS (Plast) in 2001. Further enhancing his expertise, he completed fellowships in Melbourne and Toronto, focusing on reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the breast and head and neck. ​

Beyond his clinical practice, Professor Fitzgerald is deeply involved in surgical education and professional development. He is Education Committee Chair (2021–present), leading educational initiatives for the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). ​

He was also Chair of the Reconstructive Cosmetic TIG Group, overseeing training interface groups to enhance surgical training standards. Professor Fitzgerald served as an examiner for MRCS and FRCS (Plast) examinations, contributing to the assessment and certification of upcoming surgeons. ​

He is also a GMC Associate and Royal College Advisor,Acting as an associate for the General Medical Council and a regional advisor for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

He just completed a Doctorate in Education, reflecting his commitment to advancing surgical education and was one of the guest speakers at the recent Charter Day Meeting in the RCSI, Dublin,

She has been a NHS consultant since 2007 and worked initially in Manchester as the lead for breast reconstruction at the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, one of the largest breast cancer units in the country. In April 2013, she took the post of lead for plastic surgery trauma reconstruction at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals.
She is also a member of the British Society of Gender Identity Surgeons as a breast/chest wall surgeon. She is actively involved in plastic surgery training and has represented both the London and North West Deaneries. She is a member of the Specialist Advisory Committee for the Joint Committee of Surgical Training. She holds the PG Certificate in Medical Education and is working toward a Master’s at King’s College London. She is also in her final year of a LLM at Cardiff University.
Victoria enjoys scientific research in plastic surgery and has presented at multiple national and international meetings and is widely published in scientific journals and surgical textbooks. Victoria started her training in plastic surgery in 1998 and worked in a variety of London plastic surgery units, as well as the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead and the St Andrew’s Centre in Chelmsford. During her training she spent time at the MD Anderson in Dallas, Akademikliniken in Stockholm and was a microsurgical fellow in Taiwan for 15 months

He held the position of Clinical Professor at University College Dublin (UCD) and has been instrumental in advancing surgical education and standards in Ireland.​ He was also president of the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons and President of the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons.

In 1989, Professor Earley co-founded the National Paediatric Craniofacial Centre (NPCC) at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital in Dublin. This center has since become one of Europe’s largest craniofacial units, providing specialized care for children with complex craniofacial conditions. ​

He has served as Surgeon Prosector at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (FRCSI) and the Royal College of Surgeons (Plast) in the UK.In recognition of his contributions to medicine and surgery, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Medicine degree by the National University of Ireland in 2018.

Professor Earley has an extensive research portfolio, with publications focusing on craniofacial anomalies, cleft conditions, facial transplantation, and reconstructive techniques. His work has been featured in leading journals such as the British Journal of Plastic Surgery and the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery.

He served as the Head of Global Standards for Operation Smile Ireland and was actively involved in various charitable organizations, including the Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Ireland, the Chernobyl Children’s Project, and the Christina Noble Foundation.

Beyond his medical career, Professor Earley is also recognized for his artistic talents. His dual expertise in surgery and art underscores his commitment to both the technical precision and aesthetic aspects of his work

He specializes in breast reconstruction, cosmetic breast surgery, fat transfer, and aesthetic procedures for the face and body.​

Mr. James graduated from University College and the Middlesex Medical School in 1994. He obtained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS) in 1998 and completed his specialist plastic surgery training in London and the South East.

In 2006, he undertook a fellowship at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, focusing on microsurgical reconstructive surgery. ​He was awarded a Master of Surgery (MS) degree by University College London in 2009.

In 2003, he received the Arris and Gale Lectureship and College Medal from the Royal College of Surgeons of England for his research into wound healing. Mr. James holds a consultant post at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, where he focuses on breast reconstruction and aesthetic breast surgery.

Mr. James is a member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and is listed on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery. He was featured in the Breast Section of the Tatler Doctors Guide – Britain’s Top 250 Consultants by Specialty in 2013.

Currently, she is Head of the Microsurgery Unit of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona, and Associate Professor of the Department of Surgery at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

She was graduated from Hospital Clinic medical school at Universitat de Barcelona and she undertook her Plastic Surgery training in Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona. She completed abroad her training in microsurgery: Plastic Surgery Department Universitair Ziukenheis Gent, Belgium (Prof. P. Blondeel), East Cooper Medical Center, Charleston, US (Dr. R.J. Allen) and The University Tokyo Hospital, Japan (Prof. I. Koshima). Later, she received her PhD degree in lymphatic super-microsurgery from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.

As an accomplished clinician, her expertise focuses on reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery, lymphoedema surgery and super-microsurgery.

She is author and co-author of multiple articles and book chapters and presents her work internationally. She is member of several scientific associations and she was awarded the EURAPS Best Paper 2022. She is actively involved in basic and clinical research projects, and teaching both at undergraduate and post-graduate level, being part of the educational board of the Reconstructive Microsurgery European School

Dr. Masia introduces the most innovative micro-surgical breast reconstruction and Lymphoedema techniques in Spain since 2000, situating Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau as the flagship Spanish center for Lymphoedema treatment and breast reconstruction. He shares his welfare work with an important teaching, research and education work.

He is the Chief of Plastic Surgery Department, Sant Pau University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, Full Professor in Lymphoedema Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, Co-Director of the European School of Reconstructive Microsurgery,  General Secretary of the World Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery,  Spanish Delegate for EURAPS (European Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) from 2021 and Past-President of the Spanish Society of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery

Ms McCrossan is actively involved in the surgical community, contributing to various professional organizations. She is an invited member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) Council and serves on the Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC) for Plastic Surgery under the Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST).​BAPRASjcst.org

Her research portfolio encompasses both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery. Notably, she contributed to a systematic review addressing complications associated with aesthetic breast surgery tourism, highlighting the risks of undergoing cosmetic procedures abroad.​

Dr. McCrossan is also engaged in professional discourse through social media, where she shares insights on plastic surgery training and advocacy. You can follow her on Instagram at @smkmccrossan93 and on X (formerly Twitter) at @SusanMcCrossan1.

International Expert in Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Dr. Jesper Bergdahl is a distinguished plastic surgeon with nearly two decades of experience in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. A graduate of Umeå University, Dr. Bergdahl has been a registered physician since 2005 and received his specialist degree in plastic surgery in 2011. His early training at the University Hospital in Örebro allowed him to develop deep expertise in reconstructive breast surgery, including microsurgical techniques, as well as complex head and neck reconstructions. These experiences sparked his passion for procedures that harmonise function and aesthetics.

Throughout his career, Dr. Bergdahl has remained at the forefront of advancements in plastic surgery. From 2011 to 2021, he served as a key surgeon at one of Sweden’s largest plastic surgery groups, Akademikliniken (Örebro and Stockholm, Sverige) where he honed his skills in aesthetic treatments while maintaining a strong focus on reconstructive surgery. His commitment to continuous improvement has led him to participate in numerous national and international conferences, ensuring he remains up-to-date with cutting-edge techniques in plastic surgery.

Currently, Dr. Bergdahl practices at Diamond Plastikkirurgi, a premier Swedish clinic renowned for its expertise in reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. As part of his clinical focus, he has specialised in autologous breast reconstruction, applying innovative techniques to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients. His work also encompasses reconstructive microsurgery, where precision and artistry converge to restore both form and function.

In addition to his clinical achievements, Dr. Bergdahl is a respected leader in the field. Since 2019, he has served as secretary on the board of the Swedish Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (SFEP), where he contributes to shaping the future of aesthetic plastic surgery in Sweden.

Dr. Bergdahl believes that successful outcomes in plastic surgery integrate functional restoration with aesthetic excellence, a philosophy that underpins his practice.

Dr. Bergdahl is a member of several esteemed professional organisations, including: