Plastic Surgeon George Bitar, MD, FACS, Named One of the Most Influential Lebanese in New Book by GPN Holding

FAIRFAX, Va., May 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ George Bitar, MD, FACS, an award-winning board-certified plastic surgeon serving the Washington, D.C. area, has been named one of the most influential figures in the Lebanese community worldwide, according to a recently-released book by GPN Holding.The 100 Meet 100 Influential Lebanese Figures Around the Globe features a collection of inspiring one-on-one interviews with leaders and innovators in everything from the arts and entertainment to science and technology.

"When I saw the list of names being considered for the book, I was deeply honored that GPN Holding would ask me," said Dr. Bitar. "Everyone in the book is someone who has brought about significant change and influence in the world. The collective list of accomplishments is overwhelming."

Written to inspire the next generation of Lebanese leaders, The 100 includes profiles of such dignitaries as fashion designers Elie Saab and Reem Acra, pop star Shakira, consumer advocate and former 2000 presidential candidate Ralph Nader, recording artist and music producer Emilio Estefan, NASA director Dr. Charles Elachi, former New Hampshire Gov. and President George H. W. Bush Chief of Staff John Sununu, President Barack Obama's Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising awareness organization for St. Jude Research Foundation, Richard Shadyac, Jr.

Dr. Bitar's interview in the book exemplifies someone who despite phenomenal career success has never forgotten the importance of family and community service.

"Growing up in Beirut I used to visit the emergency room with my pediatrician father. Seeing the faces of children injured by the country's civil war made me want to pursue medicine and make a difference," said Dr. Bitar, who is actively involved with such organizations as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for whom he was the top fundraiser in a campaign that raised 7 million dollars, earning him the Society's "National Man of the Year" title in 2006.

Additionally, he has authored and co-authored numerous articles for peer-reviewed journals and chapters in books on such topics as his signature neck lift technique, breast augmentation, and non-surgical rhinoplasty. He speaks at national and international medical conferences and is one the founding members of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of Lebanese Descent.

Upon graduating from medical school at George Washington University and completing a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a surgical residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center, a plastic surgery residency at UVA, and an advanced fellowship in Charlotte, NC, he trained abroad with such renowned surgeons as Dr. Ivo Pitanguy, the father of Brazilian plastic surgery, in Rio de Janerio, Dr. Marchac in Paris, Dr. Mendelson in Melbourne, Dr. Widgerow in Johannesburg, and Dr. Ellenbogen in Beverly Hills. It was during these years he would develop a keen understanding of cultural influences on beauty, which would contribute to him being named one of the top plastic surgeons by Washingtonian magazine.

In 2002, Dr. Bitar founded the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute with the goal of having an all-encompassing practice for patients to get all their cosmetic procedures from skin careand lasers to injectables and cosmetic surgery completed in one place. The center currently has locations in Fairfax and Manassas, VA, and offers a summer internship program for medical students.

To date, Dr. Bitar has performed more than 15,000 cosmetic procedures.

Katie Planchak
Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute
703-206-0506