Miami surgeon faces ethics questions after video

Miami — The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is investigating a Miami plastic surgeon who commissioned a music video that encourages plastic surgery for a character whose nose is described as a “beak like Jewcan Sam,” ABC News reports.

“Jewcan Sam” is a play on Toucan Sam, the Froot Loops cereal cartoon mascot that has a prominent beak.

ABC News reports that ASPS member Michael Salzhauer, M.D., 40, funded the video as a way of connecting with younger potential clients. Calling the video offensive and inappropriate, the ASPS has initiated an investigation under its Code of Ethics, which requires members to “uphold the dignity and honor of the medical profession.”

The video features the lead singer of a Queens, N.Y., band — reportedly flown to Miami at Dr. Salzhauer’s expense to shoot the video — portraying a lovesick Jewish high school student who sings, “I want her, but she don’t want what I am/She says you got a beak like Jewcan Sam/She says I only go with guys/with perfect upturned noses, so cut yours down to size.” In order to win her over, the student has the surgery. She rejects him anyway, and a teacher attempts to seduce him.

ABC News reports that Dr. Salzhauer said the song was meant to be “funny, not offensive,” and to communicate that no one should undergo plastic surgery to please someone else.

ASPS President Malcolm Roth, M.D., would not comment specifically on the Salzhauer investigation, but did say that if an ASPS member is found guilty of breaching the organization’s Code of Ethics, he or she can be placed on probation, have benefits put on hold, lose membership and even lose board certification, according to ABC News.

According to ABC News, Dr. Salzhauer is now holding a contest in which people can make their own music videos for the song. The video creator who receives the most views on YouTube will receive a free rhinoplasty.

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