Melbourne, FLA (PRWEB) November 15, 2016
Clevens Face and Body Specialists is proud to announce a recent collaboration with a local charitable foundation to help a teen in need. Malak’s Medical and Dental Warriors reached out to Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS for assistance with a young man named Lewis who had been severely bullied because of the appearance of his nose. Through the nonprofit Face of Change, Dr. Clevens donated his time and skill to provide a pro bono “rhinoplasty” or nasal contouring procedure for Lewis.
Every year, more than 3.2 million students are the victims of bullying, according to DoSomething.org. As many as 160,000 kids skip school each day to avoid taunting and teasing. Disproportionate facial features and physical deformities are some of the most common triggers for bullying in kids and teens. Lewis, a hardworking AP student active in his high school jazz band, was born with a nose that caused him to be the object of ridicule by his peers and teachers alike. He was even told by an adult ROTC instructor that he had “a face only a mother could love.”
Malak Hammad of the Melbourne nonprofit Malak’s Medical and Dental Warriors first noticed the shy teenager at an event. “This young man really touched my heart,” Hammad said. She immediately brought Lewis to the attention of Dr. Clevens and Face of Change, a charitable entity created by the Clevens family more than 10 years ago. Face of Change provides food and medical care for needy children locally and abroad. “Lewis brought to us a story where he was the victim of severe bullying because of his appearance. It was such a distressing story, we felt that we could help,” says Dr. Clevens. “He was a great candidate for a rhinoplasty or cosmetic nasal surgery to re-contour his nose.”
Now an Industrial Engineering major at the University of South Florida, Lewis has changed from a shy high schooler to a self-assured college student. “Post-surgery, I do feel a lot more confident,” he says. “The people around me definitely made it clear that my nose looked weird. From elementary school all the way into high school, my peers and even some of my ROTC instructors had some quips to say about my nose – it was kind of hooked, it was kind of droopy – and now that that’s gone, they really have nothing negative to say about me. And that’s just really nice.”
Recognizing the social value of facial plastic surgery, Dr. Clevens has participated in the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Domestic Violence Project, offering pro bono reconstructive surgery to victims of domestic violence and trauma. “It feels fantastic to be able to use my skills and talents as a facial plastic surgeon to help an individual,” he says. “In this case, it really made Lewis much more comfortable with himself, helped with his self-esteem and improved his social interactions.”
An award-winning double board certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Clevens has practiced in Brevard County for 20 years. He is the creator of the Laser-Assisted Weekend Necklift and a pioneer in the use of PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) healing gel to speed recovery and improve patient outcomes. Trained at Yale, Harvard, and the University of Michigan, Dr. Clevens founded Clevens Face and Body Specialists. The practice offers Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Breast & Body Surgery, NeoGraft Permanent Hair Restoration, SculpSure Body Contouring, Injectables and Fillers, Laser Treatments, Skin Cancer Care, and Medical Grade Skin Care. The practice provides comprehensive patient care at offices in Melbourne and Merritt Island.
To learn more about Lewis, click here to watch a video about his story. For more information about Clevens Face and Body Specialists or the nonprofit Face of Change, call 321.727.3223 or visit http://www.drclevens.com.