St. Louis Plastic Surgeon Nominates Man for Patient of Courage Award

ST. LOUIS, MO, November 12, 2010 (Press-News.org) It's not every day that a surgeon comes across a patient as remarkable as Marcus Engel. At a mere 18 years old, Engel was struck by a drunk driver, causing him to nearly lose his life. After undergoing countless surgeries over the span of 17 years, Engel is now a professional speaker and has authored 3 books that promote compassionate care and communication within the medical field. Dr. Timothy R. Jones, the St. Louis plastic surgeon at Genesis Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center (www.genesiscosmeticsurgery.net) who performed reconstructive surgeries for Engel, believes that he deserves the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2010 Patient of Courage Award.

"Marcus Engel faced seemingly insurmountable odds, and adversity that most people will fortunately never know," explains Dr. Jones at his St. Louis cosmetic surgery practice. "The chances that Marcus would even survive his accident were slim, let alone being able to make the amount of progress he did after his accident. Marcus has come a long way and continues to exceed everyone's expectations."

Immediately following the car accident, Engel was rushed to the level 1 trauma center at Barnes Hospital. Some of the main surgeries doctors had to perform immediately after and following the accident were: nose reconstruction with rib costochondral graft, left facial nerve repair with cable nerve grafts, left coronal brow lift, revision rhinoplasty, left ear otoplasty, and fat grafting to right cheek, to name a few. These surgeries were performed over the course of 17 years, with many performed within the first two years of the accident.

"Having as many surgeries as Marcus had over the course of so many years, it would be really easy to become tired or angry," states Dr. Jones. "But the incredible thing about Marcus is that he took this tragedy and turned it into motivation to succeed and become something great. He not only displays perseverance, but tremendous courage to look at each day and make the choice to be happy."

Now 38 years old, Engel is a professional speaker and author who encourages people to view obstacles as opportunities to succeed. He aims to teach others around him that people can't always control their circumstances, but they can control how they react. His incredible attitude is what makes him a candidate for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2010 Patient of Courage Award that honors reconstructive plastic surgery patients whose lives were restored through reconstructive plastic surgery and whose charitable actions influence people around them. Patients who have an optimistic outlook on life despite the challenges of their reconstructive procedures and positively influence others are nominated for the award.

"I chose to nominate Marcus because he is truly remarkable. He has had 48 surgeries to date since his accident, yet always finds reason to be happy and smile," explains Dr. Jones. "That kind of optimism and appreciation of life is rare, and I believe Marcus should be rewarded for his incredible contribution to society."

Dr. Timothy Jones is a board-certified plastic surgeon whose St. Louis, Missouri plastic surgery practice (www.genesiscosmeticsurgery.net) provides cosmetic and reconstructive enhancements. Dr. Jones is a former professor at Washington University School of Medicine and has received extensive surgical training in both plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology (ENT). He offers a full selection of procedures ranging from laser acne treatments to liposuction and body contouring.