A French plastic surgeon in Abu Dhabi: what SOFCPRE and EBOPRAS mean
Dr Thomas Colson is a French plastic surgeon practising in Abu Dhabi, where he is Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). He holds the SOFCPRE qualification (2013) and is a Fellow of the European Board, EBOPRAS (2014). He is licensed by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi under licence GD47532.
What is SOFCPRE, and what is the SOFCPRE qualification?
In France, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery is a surgical specialty in its own right, reached after medical school and a residency in surgery. Dr Colson obtained the SOFCPRE qualification in October 2013, after his medical studies at Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 and his residency at Nancy University Hospital.
SOFCPRE is the Société Française de Chirurgie Plastique, Reconstructrice et Esthétique, the French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. It is the national learned society of the specialty in France. It describes its missions as patient safety, the coordination and dissemination of scientific work, and the production of guidelines and recommendations.
Dr Colson is a member of SOFCPRE. SOFCPRE is a learned society; it is not a board.
What is the European Board (EBOPRAS), and what does “Fellow” mean?
EBOPRAS is the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. It is a working group of the plastic surgery section of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS).
EBOPRAS organises a European examination in two parts: a written paper of 120 multiple-choice questions, in English, and an oral examination. According to EBOPRAS, the oral examination tests whether the candidate is fit for safe independent practice in plastic surgery. The examination is open to plastic surgeons registered as specialists by their national authority, and to surgeons in an official training programme.
A surgeon who has passed both parts and is a registered specialist may use the title “Fellow of EBOPRAS”, and is entered on the official list of Fellows published by EBOPRAS. Dr Colson has been a Fellow of EBOPRAS since October 2014.
What do these certifications mean for a patient?
The two certifications are independent of each other. The SOFCPRE qualification is French. The European Board examination is a second assessment, set at European level, which EBOPRAS presents as a quality mark and as a means of harmonising standards between countries.
- They describe training and assessment. They do not describe, and do not promise, the result of an operation.
- They are not a licence to practise. EBOPRAS states that passing its examination gives no right to work in a country: that right is granted by the national authority. In Abu Dhabi, that authority is the Department of Health, which licenses Dr Colson as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon under licence GD47532.
- They can be checked by the patient, with the bodies that issued them.
On this website, “double board certified” refers to these two certifications: the SOFCPRE qualification and the EBOPRAS Fellowship.
How can a patient verify a surgeon’s licence and certifications in Abu Dhabi?
The checks below apply to any plastic surgeon practising in Abu Dhabi. For each one, the corresponding information for Dr Colson is given.
- Licence: a surgeon operating in Abu Dhabi holds a Department of Health Abu Dhabi licence, and its number can be requested and checked. Dr Colson: licence GD47532, Consultant Plastic Surgeon.
- Hospital: the hospital publishes the profile of its physicians. Dr Colson: official profile on the website of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC).
- European Board: EBOPRAS publishes the official list of its Fellows. Dr Colson: Fellow since October 2014.
- National society: SOFCPRE publishes a directory of its members. Dr Colson: member of SOFCPRE.
- International society: ISAPS, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, publishes member profiles. Dr Colson: member of ISAPS.
Where did Dr Colson train?
Dr Colson trained in France, in Lyon and in Nancy. He then practised as a Consultant in the Paris region before joining Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi.
- Medical studies at Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, 2001–2007.
- Residency at Nancy University Hospital, a Level I trauma centre, 2007–2012.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) Magna Cum Laude, Université de Lorraine (Faculty of Medicine of Nancy), October 2012.
- Inter-University Diploma in Microsurgery, Université de Lorraine.
- European Inter-University Diploma in Robotic Surgery (Da Vinci Xi), STAN Institute, Nancy, July 2024.
In which languages does Dr Colson consult?
Dr Colson consults in English and French. An Arabic interpreter is available during consultations. A French-speaking patient in Abu Dhabi can have the consultation in French.
How is a consultation booked at SKMC?
- Contact SEHA through one of three channels: the SEHA booking line 80050, the SEHA WhatsApp number 02 410 2200, or the SEHA mobile app.
- Ask for a consultation with Dr Thomas Colson in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Abu Dhabi.
- Attend the consultation at SKMC. Dr Colson consults in English and French. An Arabic interpreter is available during consultations. The consultation covers the examination, the indication, the alternatives and the risks.
- Insurance coverage is discussed at the consultation.
- Where surgery is indicated, it is planned at SKMC, and follow-up takes place in the Department of Plastic Surgery.
In the UAE, Dr Colson consults and operates exclusively at SKMC. He has no practice in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a French plastic surgeon in Abu Dhabi?
Dr Thomas Colson is a French plastic surgeon practising in Abu Dhabi, where he is Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). He holds the SOFCPRE qualification (2013) and is a Fellow of the European Board, EBOPRAS (2014). He is licensed by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi under licence GD47532.
What does “double board certified” mean for Dr Colson?
It means that Dr Colson holds two certifications in plastic surgery: the SOFCPRE qualification, obtained in October 2013, and the Fellowship of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS), obtained in October 2014.
Is the European Board (EBOPRAS) a licence to practise in the UAE?
No. EBOPRAS states that passing its examination gives no right to work in a country, and that this right is granted by the national authority. In Abu Dhabi, plastic surgeons are licensed by the Department of Health. Dr Colson holds licence GD47532 as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon.
How can I check that a surgeon is a Fellow of EBOPRAS?
EBOPRAS publishes the official list of its Fellows on its website, searchable by name. Dr Thomas Colson has been a Fellow of EBOPRAS since October 2014.
Can I have my consultation in French in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Dr Colson consults in English and French at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Abu Dhabi. An Arabic interpreter is available during consultations.
Does Dr Colson practise in Dubai?
No. In the UAE, Dr Colson consults and operates exclusively at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi. He has no practice in Dubai.
How do I book a consultation with Dr Colson?
Appointments are made through SEHA: the booking line 80050, the SEHA WhatsApp number 02 410 2200, or the SEHA mobile app. The consultation takes place at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Abu Dhabi. Insurance coverage is discussed at the consultation.
Related pages
Consultation
In the UAE, consultations and surgery are performed exclusively at SKMC, Abu Dhabi.
Booking line 80050 SEHA WhatsApp
Educational disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified surgeon or health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.