Craniofacial Fellowship Committee (FC) Bylaws

Purpose: To provide oversight and guidance for fellowship training programs in North America.

Committee Members:

1.         Qualifications

All members of the Fellowship Committee (FC) should be:

•           Board-certified by the ABPS and in good standing

•           Completed a Craniofacial training program recognized by the ASCFS

•           An active member of the ASCFS

2.         Fellowship Committee Participants

The FC will consist of the Chair and 6 members:

Chair:

•           Oversees the functions of the committee

•           Directly reports to the Council of the ASCFS during quarterly meetings

•           Leads the annual PD meeting

•           Can designate non-committee members as additional non-voting participants of the FC. The appointments will be specific to needs required to complete or expand the duties of the committee. Any appointment will require the approval of the FC and the Council of the ASCFS.

Existing Program Coordinator (Vice Chair):

•           Oversees management of existing accredited programs (caseload, etc.)

New/Probational Program Coordinator:

•           Provides guidance for new program applications and oversees probational programs as they progress to re-credentialing.

Treasurer/Compliance Coordinator: 

•           Management of application fees and annual dues1

•           Coordinates actions in response to Bylaws compliance concerns

Fellowship Education Coordinator:

•           Chair of the Fellowship Education Committee (FEC)

-    FEC will provide oversight of the CAQ exam

• Acquisition and review of a question bank

•  Administration of the exam

•  Review of results

-    Coordinates content of a Craniofacial fellowship syllabus

-    Coordinates joint educational opportunities at a national level for craniofacial fellows

-    Members of the FEC:

•  Representatives of the FC (chair)

•  Representative of the AAPPS

•  Representative of the ASMS

•  AD hoc appointments

•           Conducts a fellow survey at the completion of the fellowship (program experience, etc.).

2.2.  At-Large members – 2

2.3.  Administrative Director

•           Schedules/coordinates FC and PD meetings

•           Facilitates interaction between FC and programs

•           Creates and manages the Fellowship webpage

•           Creates and manages the case database

•           Lends support to coordinators.

•           Serves as contact person for new program applications

•           Provides support for the annual fellowship match process

3.         Term Limits

•           The initial term of a committee member will be 3 years. An option will be given for another 3 years (a total of 6 years).2

•           The Chair of the committee will have a 3-year term limit at which time the Existing Program Coordinator will become the Chair.

•           The Existing Program Coordinator (Vice Chair) responsibilities:

-    Lead committee activities in the absence of the Chair

-    Assume the Chair position after 3 years in the role of Existing Program Coordinator.

•           When a vacancy is anticipated on the committee and the role cannot be filled with current members of the FC, the ASCFS membership and members of the FC will be asked to submit recommendations to the FC. The final recommendations will be submitted by the FC for approval by the ASCFS Council.

4.         Meetings

•           The FC will have two annual scheduled meetings

-    Spring (ACPA)

•           Fall (ASPS if possible)

•           Additional meetings will be called as needed.

5.         Financial support

•           Funding for committee activities will come from annual dues paid by participating programs

•           The funds will be kept under the umbrella of the ASCFS accounts. The account will be designated for FC activities

•           The FC will maintain a treasurer to coordinate program dues, expenses, and financial reports.

1Funds will be used for part-time support staff to manage details of the committee and maintain the fellowship webpage

2The initial FC membership will consist of 3-year appointments. Some members will be asked to consider another 3-year commitment, creating an overlap of committee members in the future.

Revised October 28, 2025