We had the honor and pleasure of presenting Dr. Howard Tobin with the Academy’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to cosmetic surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). A dedicated leader, Dr. Tobin was pivotal in the formation of the AACS, serving as president from 1993 to 1995. His long-standing involvement with the Academy includes serving on numerous committees, and he has trained 19 fellows, many of whom have become fellowship directors themselves.
In 1980, Dr. Tobin was part of a delegation of surgeons invited to China to learn about liposuction. It was there that he met Dr. Richard Webster, and the two immediately connected over their shared passion for cosmetic surgery. When the AACS was formed, Dr. Webster became its first president, and Dr. Tobin went on to serve not only as president but also on numerous committees, including the Education and Research Committee. He was one of the first to establish a Fellowship Training Program in cosmetic surgery, and he hosted numerous live surgery workshops at his practice and surgery center in Abilene, Texas.
Throughout his career, Dr. Tobin has been a voice of reason, boldly standing up for cosmetic surgeons. During the silicone
scare of the 1990s, he represented AACS surgeons before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and worked alongside plastic surgeons to address concerns and promote scientific studies on the issue. Dr. Tobin made several attempts to build bridges with plastic surgeons and stop the derogatory and negative advertising directed at the field, but unfortunately, these efforts were not
well received. Despite this, Dr. Tobin is highly respected by leaders in the field, as evidenced by letters from Dr. Webster
and Dr. Goldwyn, the former editor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
In addition to his passion for cosmetic surgery, Dr. Tobin is an avid aviator. He has combined his two passions by flying
patients and veterans across the country. Every Wednesday during the fellowship, the fellows would fly with Dr. Tobin in
his Citation to see patients across Texas. He also volunteered for Veterans Airlift Command, providing flights for combat-injured veterans, and participated in Flights for Angels, transporting people in need of medical treatment. Dr. Tobin is also a dog lover and has contributed to the IDF Canine Unit and Friends of the IDF. Additionally, he has volunteered for Operation Thousand Smiles.
Dr. Tobin’s legacy lies in his fellows and his family. He has always been an educator and a role model to many in the Academy. He instilled a passion for cosmetic surgery in his fellows, some of whom have gone on to start their own fellowship programs. By our estimate, Dr. Tobin has mentored around 100 grand fellows and a handful of great-grand fellows!
Dr. Tobin’s late wife Gail stood by his side for many years, along with his children, Tracy, Evan, and Jill. Sadly, Gail and Tracy have passed, but his son Evan and daughter Jill sent a video message congratulating him on his accomplishments. Today, Dr. Tobin is accompanied by his new co-pilot and wife, Ruth. A respected figure in both the cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery communities, Dr. Tobin’s career is marked by his commitment to advancing the field and his enduring influence on those he mentored. Dr. Tobin retired from practice at the end of 2024 after more than 50 years of successful and fulfilling work in cosmetic surgery.
Dr. Tobin’s acceptance speech expressed deep gratitude for his many blessings, including a wonderful family and a successful career. Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged that much of his life was a fight, which ultimately led him to the field of cosmetic surgery. He shared how his involvement with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery connected him with Dick Webster, and how their friendship, along with support from others, led to the formation of the AACS. Dr. Tobin recounted the humble beginnings of the Academy and the small, tight-knit group it once was and the struggles it faced, stating, “It is better to give than to receive.”
He highlighted his work establishing the fellowship program within the Academy, which he considers his legacy, as his fellows have far surpassed him in many ways. He stressed the importance of contributing to the Academy and how it opened doors for him, leading to a successful practice and countless opportunities. Dr. Tobin concluded by humbly accepting the honor, emphasizing the importance of giving back and how much more one receives in return.
As Dr. Tobin now enjoys his retirement with Ruth at their ranch in Texas, we bestow this Lifetime Achievement Award on him to let him know that we are forever indebted to him. We thank Dr. Tobin for his leadership, humility, honesty, humanity, compassion, friendship, courage, and passion for both cosmetic surgery and life. He has inspired an entire generation of cosmetic surgeons to follow in his footsteps.