Thanks Steve for words well spoken. I appreciate the fact that my opinion is not in vain and that you are in support of a rather cautious approach to offering Dr. Nakatsui a trial coalition membership.

I understand what Pat and Falc are stating in terms of a paradox, but is their a shortage of well qualified HT physicians? What's the hurry to give him membership? Granted their are still too many docs out there performing sub-par surgeries, but Canada has several highly skilled physicians for the size of the population. Surely more won't hurt but the question is "should we find them or they find us?"

I see this as the perfect opportunity to raise the stakes for membership. He is approaching Pat for membership, shouldn't you ask why? I know the answer to this--recognition and $$$. Think about how many individuals are going to seek out HT's from coalition physicians as a direct result of this site alone. That translates into a lot of Jack. What is it worth to him? Lets up the anti for membership. We (me anyways) are always wanting more input directly from the docs, and this is the opportunity to demand it. It becomes a condition for membership. Take it or leave it. As long as the requirements are reasonable enough, if he wants it bad enough he'll live up to the obligations.

I understand that one of the primary purposes for the initial start of this site is to educate the general population and to find qualified physicians for people in need of a HT. I don't want to lose site of that, but I think possibly things have taken on a slight twist and because of the popularity and success of this site it is now a priviledge to be a highlighted physician. It is no longer Pat hoping to find qualified docs, but for them to showcase their talents and attempt to win our praises. I don't believe that we need to "offer up" the membership, but they need to earn it. This is a small price for them as once they do become members it simply translates into increased esteem and revenue.

Nervous and EmuSteve,

I understand your concerns about admitting him into membership of the coalition. It appears from your posts that you think the decision may be a little hasty.

Pat,

Do you have any more information that you can post about Dr. Nakatsui that might help members of the forum be more comfortable with admitting him for membership.

For example:

1. Have you had a chance to visit his clinic and witness surgery on any patients?
2. Other than his website, do we have any patient testimonies to this doctor that shed positive light on his work?
3. Since the doctor approached you for membership, what would prevent the doctgor from trying to earn his membership before he could be admitted as a member? Is there indeed an urgency for the membership? Or is the fact that he's recommended good enough for now while he "earns" his way into the coalition?

I basically stand here on this issue: I'd like to see posts from the doctor and/or patients in order to make an educated decision as to whether or not to admit him FULL membeship into the coalition. However, I will also say that IF the best way to do that is to allow him a "trial" or "temporary" membership, then I'm fine with that. But I think it's important that IF we do this, that we define and distinguish a difference between an trial member and a full member to the coalition.

So really...what it comes down to to me is, it's really 6 in one half a dozen in the other.

We have two pretty good suggestions and I think they will yield a similar result, so let's let Pat determine which one will work best for everyone:

1. Let the doctor earn his way into the coalition by becoming an active participant and member of this community displaying his work from beginning, to middle, to end, and then in a certain amount of time, grant him membership if warranted

2. Allow him a "trial" membership into the coalition based on the condition that he becomes and active participant of the forum displaying his work from beginning, to middle, to end. Define what a "trial" membership to the coalition is, post it somewhere on the coalition page AND on the doctor's page that he is a trial member with a link back to what "trial" member means.

As far as I understand, the only reason we'd have to not allow him permanent membership into the coalition is because his work is under published. So as long as this is stated in the "trial" specifications, and it's listed he is a "trial" member, I think it accomplishes the same thing as making him earn his way into the coalition.

Those are just some more of my thoughts.

Falc

Falc,

I think that you summarized things well and I would be comfortable with those options. I just think it's important to preserve the lustre of being considered a coalition member.

Even if things in the past might not have been as stringent, there is no reason that new policies can't be adopted. Maybe it is more challenging now for new docs to be admitted but oh well. If they want membership they will make the effort. It becomes a win win for all involved.

And that is why Falc is my hero. =)

Great...now we just have to wait to see what Pat thinks of all we discussed.

LOL EmuSteve!

Falc

Though a little late..........I'd like to add my $.02. Though my initial comments were "Wow" and I was really impressed by what I saw on his website, I also added that I'd like to hear from a patient or two before recommending him.

I guess what may need more definition here is what it takes for coalition membership. Should the rules be more narrowly defined i.e. results viewed on HTN, personal visit from Pat to clinic to see procedure/staff/techniques first-hand??

I trust Pat implicitly and believe he would not steer us wrong..........no way. In this situation, what I'm not sure of is first-hand information as to the results of Dr. Nakatsui which, IMO, should be necessary for Coalition membership. I guess originally I was thinking he would be recommended by HTN but not a part of the Coalition until we had more information and had the opportunity to see results "first-hand".

When you offer temporary membership (to be proven as time goes on) to one surgeon that will undoubtedly open the door for this kind of thing in the future. Is that what we want? I agree with Bspot that we want to grow membership and broaded our horizons in the assistance we offer to various global locations. However, I believe the key to proper growth in any arena is best achieved by first having the proper template in place.

In this case, I believe our template for Coalition membership either needs adjusted or redefined and should easily be able to determine whether or not a surgeon is able to join the coalition.

Pat- I appreciate your seeking input from HTN forum members on the proposed surgeons. From my prospective, if you'd like it to be a group decision on who's allowed in to the coalition, we may want to look at redefining requirements for membership. You have my trust and support and should you choose to make these decisions on your own I understand and will continue to support this site.

To provide us with additional information and insight into his technique I asked Dr. Nakatsui to post photos showing his immediate post operative results. He has done so and the photo album containing his photos can be viewed by clicking here.

I'm also encouraging Dr. Nakatsui to make it easier for his patients to find our community and post their experiences by adding links to our forum and free patient weblogs.

I look forward to seeing and hearing from his patients.

Best wishes, Pat

After extensive review, both privately and publicly on this forum, I'm pleased to announce that Dr. Nakatsui has been granted membership in the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians.

I want to thank everyone for their valuable input regarding Dr. Nakatsui's standing with this community.

To read the formal announcement of Dr. Nakatsui's new membership please view, Changes to the recommended physicians on this community.

Best wishes, Pat

Pat,

Thank you for the update. I hope Dr. Nakatsui will be an active member of this community and continue to post before/progression/after pictures of his patients.

Falc

Great Pat,

He looks to be a fine addition to the Coalition. I also hope he will actively participate here and post the fine results he seems to be producing.