The president and owner of his own surgical practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Toby Meltzer has been practicing plastic/reconstructive surgery for upwards of 25 years. During much of that time, he has worked with members of the transgender community. An active supporter of LGBT rights, Dr. Toby Meltzer belongs to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).A nonprofit organization, WPATH promotes education, research, public policy, and evidence-based care in transgender health. To this end, the organization maintains several educational programs, including the WPATH Student Initiative (WSI). WSI gives students a wide range of benefits. Early involvement in the program sets up students for an active role in WPATH and gives them opportunities to access the organization’s database of training programs, serve as liaisons to the board of directors and WPATH committees, and be involved in WPATH’s mentoring program. In addition, students who join WPATH through WSI receive discounted registration fees to organization events and are eligible for awards and research grants from WPATH.
Dr. Toby Meltzer, the president and surgeon at Meltzer Clinic, PC, has been practicing gender confirmation surgery for more than 20 years. A graduate of Louisiana State University, he completed his postdoctoral training in plastic, reconstructive, and general surgery. Active in the professional community, Dr. Toby Meltzer belongs to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).As part of its efforts to promote education, advocacy, public policy, and care that respects transgender health, WPATH offers Global Education Initiative (GEI) certification courses to members. These courses are designed for healthcare providers and trains them to provide care to transgender patients according to WPATH Standards of Care. Available in live, interactive, and interdisciplinary formats, GEI courses focus on such areas as advanced medical treatment, foundations in transgender health, and advanced mental health.All GEI certification courses are optional benefits to members. However, they can only be accessed by individuals who are WPATH members in good standing for at least two years and are board-certified and licensed in their specialty. Once members enroll in the certification program, they must complete at least 50 hours of credit before being eligible for WPATH certification. This credit includes 15 hours of foundational courses along with about 10 hours of advanced courses. WPATH mentorship and elective coursework is also required for certification.
