Awards, Faculty and Staff, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Fisher Awarded AAOMS Advocacy Challenge Coin

Elda Fisher, DMD, MD, director of the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, was awarded the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Advocacy Challenge Coin.   

The Advocacy Challenge Coin was designed to recognize oral and maxillofacial surgeons who have made significant advocacy contributions on behalf of the Association.  

Fisher was recognized for her leadership of the Collaborative OMFS Virtual Inter-Institutional Didactic (COVID) Program. The program is a joint effort of 55 oral and maxillofacial programs across the country to augment resident didactic training due to reduced clinical activity as a result of COVID-19.  

“I was surprised and humbled to receive an award from AAOMS for the COVID Collaborative. The program was successful because so many experts in the field volunteered their time and knowledge to participate in this comprehensive series. It just demonstrates the power of collaboration, technology, and the common interests we all have in delivering the high-quality didactic education to all OMS residents, not just those in own programs,” said Fisher.  

“When we collaboratively offer all residents access to the highest quality expert lectures, we elevate the future of the entire specialty.” 

Fisher is board-certified though ABOMS in oral and maxillofacial surgery and through the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery in General Cosmetic Surgery.  

She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has lectured nationally and internationally on facial aesthetic surgery and corrective maxillofacial surgery. As a fellow of AAOMS she serves on the executive board for the special interest group in cosmetic surgery and is actively involved in the women in surgery clinical interest group. 

Fisher is an active member of several professional organizations including ACOMS, the Association of Women Surgeons, and the World Professional Organization for Transgender Health.  

She has a particular interest in facial gender affirmation procedures including facial feminization and masculinization surgery, and the use of injectable medicine as a compliment to facial gender affirmation. 

Dr. Fisher’s creation and leadership of the revolutionary COVID program efforts for oral and maxillofacial surgery residents during the pandemic has been remarkable,” said Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care chair, George Blakey III, DDSShe has always demonstrated a strong commitment to our residents’ education and this program is a clear example of that dedication. We are pleased to see her recognized for those efforts by her peers and the national organization. It is incredibly well deserved. 

The AAOMS represents more than 9,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United States, and supports its members’ ability to practice their specialty through education, research and advocacy. AAOMS members comply with rigorous continuing education requirements and submit to periodic office evaluations, assuring the public that office procedures and personnel meet stringent national standards.