Awarded by the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, "The National Humanitarian Award 2002" in recognition of unselfish participation in humanitarian activities in the field of surgery. This was awarded at a national conclave in Orlando, Florida, September 2002.

Designated keynote surgeon to address new members to the College of Surgeons — American College of Osteopathic Surgeons at an annual conclave in Orlando, Florida 2002. Dr. Bafitis gave the "charge" and keynote speech to the new surgeons entering the College.

Awarded by Palm Beach County Medical Society for volunteer work in Plastic Surgery, on under privileged in Palm Beach County; 1997
President Medical Society: D. Dedo, M.D.

Awarded Palm Beach County Network Affiliate WPTV, Service Award. T.V. (NBC) KELLY'S HERO AWARD for volunteer Plastic Surgery performed on disfigured Bolivian children through the MIMA Foundation; (Medical International Missionary Aid). Surgery performed at Viedma Hospital in Cochabamba, Bolivia in 1996.

Awarded Palm Beach County Network Affiliate WPTV, Service Award.
T.V. (NBC) KELLY'S HERO AWARD for volunteer Plastic Surgery performed on Bangladesh child Maisha Atoiya; and for bringing child to the U.S. from her country for reconstructive surgery in 1994.

Outstanding Senior- 1981, North Texas State University/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

DEALING WITH PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Children's Surgical Center - Cambodia 2009
In January of 2009 Dr. Bafitis returned to Cambodia to work at the Children's Surgical Center (CSC). He performed and directed surgeries that were first introduced to the local Cambodian surgical team by Bafitis in 2008. He instructed and guided the Cambodian surgeons in cleft nose repair and introduced the concept of “tumescent anesthesia” for surgical procedures. Besides cleft nose deformities, burn contractures, facial hemangioma, ear tumors as well as hand deformities were addressed. Dr. Bafitis also assisted in craniofacial surgery – adding the “tumescent technique” for ease of dissection of the soft tissues.

Dr. Bafitis shared his own practice experience with the surgical team in Pham Penhn and brought his own edited surgical procedure DVD's and power point lectures adding to the CSC medical library. He also lectured and instructed the international medical students at CSC and donated plastic surgery instruments to the facility.

Dr. Bafitis feels the Children's Surgical Center is a unique mission in that most of the donated "dollar" goes directly into patient care not paperwork. He feels the need for this center is paramount in this slowly re-emerging country; "the amount of poverty is staggering and amount of congenital deformities is overwhelming," any donation makes a difference.

Dr Bafitis was invited to present, as a key faculty member and speaker at the international surgical congress in Alexandria, Egypt, April 2007. This was the 25th Alexandria International ORL (otorhinolaryngology and facial plastic surgery) congress. Dr. Bafitis spoke and presented two lectures at this international gathering of plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons.
(See Press Release)

Awarded by the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons the National Humanitarian Award 2002 in recognition of unselfish participation in humanitarian activities in the field of surgery. This was awarded at a national conclave in Orlando, Florida, September 2002.

Participant in International Project Wounded program. The program involved the medical / surgical care of war injured Afghan freedom fighters. Participated as chief resident in plastic surgery at Mercy Hospital Medical Center/ Plastic Surgery Institute, Des Moines, Iowa, under J.O. Stallings, M.D. Surgical care encompassed treatment of facially disfigured war casualties including maxillofacial nasal, orbital, peri-oral deformities and upper extremity injuries.

Instrumental in bringing Project Wounded program to Cincinnati through Our Lady Mercy Hospital - Anderson Township, Cincinnati, Ohio. Participated as a fellow in plastic and reconstructive surgery with the Cincinnati Plastic Surgery Associates. Director of project in Cincinnati : M.G. Leadbetter, M.D. Surgical care encompassed treatment of upper and lower extremity injuries of Afghan freedom fighters.

Recognition Award in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for participation in Operation Wounded, the treatment of wounded Afghanistan freedom fighters, Washington, D.C. July, 1988

Physician coordinators and Plastic Surgeon responsible for bringing 3 year old burn victim Maisha Atoiya from Bangledesh to West Palm Beach. The child had suffered greater that 50% body surface area burns at age one and contractures restricting motion of upper and lower extremities. Her family was unable to get proper medical / surgical attention, and her contractures were worsening. We coordinated the efforts of Palm West Hospital , through its chief executive officer, Mr. Michael Pugh, anesthesia through Dr. Joel Gomez anesthesia department at Palms West Hospital and pediatric care through Dr. Abellon of the pediatrics department of Palms West Hospital. We also were able to obtain tissue expanders through McGhan Medical Company. All services were coordinated to be provided gratis for this child.

Over seven months during 1993 - 94, we placed tissue expanders and mobilized the expanded tissue to be incorporated in significant flap surgery which sequentially removed contracted, keloid scar tissue, her contracted limbs. She now has complete range of motion to her upper and lower limbs and is able to ambulate completely unrestricted. Her growth is predicted to follow a normal pattern.