title: Fundraising and philanthropy in plastic surgery: an essential tool for academic excellence.
abstract: In a time of multiple economic challenges in healthcare and society as a whole, academic plastic surgery units are also struggling to support teaching initiatives, research programs, and poorly remunerative patient care activities. A practical, available, and realistic solution is the establishment of formal fundraising and philanthropic efforts within plastic surgery divisions, sections, and departments. An understanding of donors and their motivations and how the fundraising process operates can lead to a successful long-term fundraising effort, benefitting various areas of the academic plastic surgery unit. Fundraising and philanthropic efforts are essential for the continued success and survival of academic plastic surgery units and will be requisite to ensure that education, research, and clinical programs flourish well into the future.
authors.affiliation: Madison, Wis.; Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; and Dallas, Texas From the Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin; The Plastic Surgery Clinic; and the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bentz
authors.forename: Jamil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rohrich
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000191:economics*; D005653:Fund Raising; D006801:Humans; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000191:economics*; D013663:Teaching / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States