About Interplast | Plastic Surgery Australia

Interplast

Interplast is an organisation that was formed in the USA in 1969, and launched in Australia in 1983.

Mr Mutimer has been involved with the organisation for over 20 years and is the Immediate Past President of Interplast Australia & NZ. He has travelled to Vietnam, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, China , Sri Lanka and Bhutan as part of a plastic surgery team who have performed hundreds of operations to improve the lives of those who would not otherwise have had access to this surgery. In 2021, Mr Mutimer was recognised by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, receiving the RACS International Medal – awarded to a Fellow who has provided a lasting contribution of an exceptional nature over a long period of time in the delivery or development of surgery for underprivileged communities overseas, this was largely in recognition of his work with the amazing organisation.

A/Prof Shayan has been involved with teaching microsurgery techniques to plastic surgeons in Sri Lanka. Whilst not yet widely available, microsurgery offers significant advancements in the surgical outcome for a large range of surgeries undertaken on patients with both congenital abnormalities and traumatic injuries by plastic surgeons in Sri Lanka. A/Prof Shayan has been instrumental in facilitating the digital platform developed by Interplast in conjunction with digital education platform Praxhub. Together the organisations have partnered to create and deliver digital content that has enabled Interplast to deliver education throughout its territory uninterrupted during the pandemic, to dozens of countries.

What is Interplast?

The team at BPS are well versed in this inspirational organisation but to use Interplast’s own words “we believe we’re Australia and New Zealand’s best kept secret.”

Interplast’s intentions are simple. They exist to repair bodies and rebuild lives. They aim to build capacity, empower communities and leave a legacy.

In a nutshell, Interplast is a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the quality of life for people with a disability – who are disabled as a result of congenital or acquired medical conditions such as cleft lip and palate or burn scar contractures.

Interplast do this by sending fully qualified Australian and New Zealand volunteer plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals to the Asia Pacific region to provide free surgical treatment for patients who would otherwise not be able to afford access to such services.

For Interplast, it’s all about function and enabling full engagement in society. Interplast also pride themselves on their intentions to leave a legacy.

The aim? To do themselves out of a job.

Interplast focuses heavily on facilitating medical training and mentoring for in-country medical personnel by supporting and building the capacity of local health services.

Quite simply, their purpose is to provide life-changing surgery today and sustainable health systems tomorrow.

If you would like to know more about Interplast, just ask the team when you come in or log onto www.interplast.org.au.