DOCTORS
Founded in 1969 to establish a qualified body of surgeons who have training and experience in this highly specialized field. The purpose of ASOPRS is to advance education, research and the quality of clinical practice in the fields of aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery specializing in the face, orbits, eyelids, and lacrimal system.
The Society has over 550 national and international members and sponsors several scientific meetings yearly. To help train well qualified physicians, ASOPRS also sponsors specialized fellowship training for postgraduate physicians who have completed an accredited ophthalmology residency.
May 25, 2013
Dear Colleagues,
On May 24, 2013 at 3:50 p.m. our friend and partner, Russell W. Neuhaus, M.D. passed away. Russ began his career in Austin in 1982, after completing his fellowship with Henry Baylis, M.D. and residency at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, a person, institution, and professional family he loved dearly. He met his wife Cecelia at UCLA. They moved to Austin where their daughter Laura and son Eric were born. Together Russ and Cecelia built a thriving solo private practice. For fifteen years Russ was the only oculoplastics specialist between Dallas and San Antonio. Shortly after arriving in Austin, Russ began monthly trips to San Antonio where he volunteered time and expertise teaching residents and medical students at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. There he met Charles Leone, M.D. who mentored both Russ, during his early years in practice, and his future partner John Shore, M.D. John became a life long friend and colleague. As the years passed and his children became teenagers, the practice grew enormously and by 1996 Russ recognized it was time to expand. He approached John and together, in a matter of just months, and with only a handshake, they built Texas Oculoplastic Consultants (TOC) and began a new practice together. For the next 16 years Russ worked tirelessly to promote TOC in the community and nationally. He mentored three TOC fellows who eventually joined the practice, Sean Blaydon, M.D., Malena Amato, M.D. and Todd Shepler, M.D. As the practice grew, he turned to Jules Stein to find a talented new surgeon to join the practice, Tanuj Nakra, M.D. Next to his family, the two most important things in his life were his patients and TOC. Russ loved and respected both. The feeling was mutual. During the nine months of his illness hundreds of patients asked for him and sent him notes, messages, and prayers. His passing is a huge loss for TOC, our community, the ASOPRS family and our profession.
We all remember Russ in different ways. The TOC family will remember that he was the first to work, the last to leave, a teacher, a compassionate physician, a skilled surgeon and a role model for all. Russ had many friends in ASOPRS and served the Society in many ways over the years. He was proud of the organization and what it stood for. We know each of you will feel the loss of his passing as we do. Lyrics from the song “Three Wooden Crosses” by Randy Travis state beautifully what Russ believed and lived, “…it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go.” We are fortunate that Russ left a piece of himself in each of our hearts. We shall miss him and will remember him forever.
His partners:
John W. Shore, M.D. Sean M. Blaydon, M.D.?
Tanuj Nakra, M.D. Malena M. Amato, M.D. ?
Todd R. Shepler, M.D.
