We are pleased to share an important transition within the Clinical Anaplastology (CA) graduate program. Juan Garcia, the esteemed founder and current Director of the program, will be stepping down to focus on his expanding responsibilities within our rapidly growing Facial, Eye, and Body Prosthetics Clinic.
Effective January 1, 2026, Andrew Etheridge, who has been a valued faculty member since 2022, will take on the role of the CA Graduate Program Director. Andrew has made significant contributions to our curriculum development and teaching within the CA program. He has expanded our clinical practice collaborating with colleagues in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, where he holds a secondary appointment.
Since 1995, Juan Garcia has been a faculty member of the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine and currently holds secondary appointments within the Departments of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Since its inception, Juan has been the driving force to establish the CA graduate program, transforming it from a supervised training initiative in 2007 into a comprehensive graduate program. His leadership has led to the creation of an innovative curriculum and renovation of our laboratory, clinic, and teaching facilities. Juan has also collaborated closely with key stakeholders, including the Dean of the School of Medicine, the Registrar, and the University Provost’s Office, positioning this program as a unique academic pursuit. He has expanded the CA graduate program teaching faculty and facilitated collaborative opportunities for students with various departments in the School of Medicine, including Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Ophthalmology.
Over the past five years, the Facial, Eye, and Body Prosthetics Clinic has experienced substantial growth. In 2020, we expanded our operations to include clinical and laboratory spaces in the outpatient center (JHOC). Juan played a crucial role in this development, including hiring a dedicated Medical Office Coordinator and enhancing our clinical faculty. Juan’s efforts have successfully transitioned our practice into a state-of-the-art clinical facility serving regional and international patients and secured provider status with insurance payers, further strengthening our clinical operations. He will continue to oversee the clinic’s direction during this exciting expansion.
Additionally, as an upcoming President of the International Anaplastology Association (IAA), Juan will lead the IAA Annual Conference in Baltimore in July 2026.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Juan for his unwavering commitment, visionary leadership, and significant contributions to advancing both the CA graduate program and our clinic. We look forward to Andrew’s leadership of the graduate program as we build upon the strong foundation Juan has established.
Please join us in wishing both Juan and Andrew success in their respective roles.