Four physicians. One international vision.
The founders of UIME brought together different medical disciplines and national traditions to create an international scientific framework for Aesthetic Medicine.
France
Prof. Jean-Jaques Legrand
– Founder of the French Society of Aesthetic Medicine (1973)
– Pioneer and a Founder of the International Union of Aesthetic Medicine (UIME)
Dr. Jean-Jacques Legrand holds a unique place in the history of Aesthetic Medicine. In 1973, in Paris, he founded the French Society of Aesthetic Medicine (Société Française de Médecine Esthétique — SFME), establishing the foundations of what would become a new medical discipline. Historical accounts of UIME consistently identify Dr. Legrand as the physician whose initiative gave birth to the first national society of Aesthetic Medicine.
A physician trained in endocrinology in Paris, Dr. Legrand approached aesthetic medicine as a medical discipline rather than simply a cosmetic practice. His vision helped define Aesthetic Medicine as a field situated between conventional medical care, cosmetic treatments, and surgery, with the physician’s role extending to the prevention and treatment of aesthetic concerns through medical, scientific, and increasingly non-surgical approaches.
Belgium
Prof. Michel Delune
– Founder and President of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine
– Pioneer and a Founder of the International Union of Aesthetic Medicine (UIME)
– Founding Member and President of the Belgian Society of Aesthetic Medicine
Dr. Michel Delune is a Belgian dermatologist. He is the founder and the president of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM).
He is also one of the founding members and past treasurer of the European Academy of Dermato Venerology (EADV).
Dr. Delune is also recognized for his educational contributions as invited professor of aesthetic medicine at international universities in Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Mexico.
Dr. Delune received his medical degree from the Université de Louvain, Belgium.
Together with leading physicians from France, Italy, and Spain, he helped form the Union Internationale de Médecine Esthétique (UIME) in 1976.
In November 9–12, 2003 Dr. Delune was chairman and organizer of the 14th International Congress of Aesthetic Medicine held in Las Vegas.
Italy
Prof. Carlo Alberto Bortoletti
– Founder of the Italian Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SIME)
– Pioneer and a Founder of the International Union of Aesthetic Medicine (UIME)
He specialised in Gastroenterology, in Cardiology, in Gerontology and Geriatrics. He took part in the foundation of the French Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SFME) in 1973. Due to his tireless effort, in 1994 the first Ambulatory Service of Aesthetic Medicine was opened at the San Giovanni Calibita Hospital – Tiber Island in Rome.
He promoted the cultural movement of Aesthetic Medicine in Italy, as founder of the Italian Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SIME) and its official body the journal “La Medicina Estetica” in 1975. Furthermore, he received unconditional endorsement from Universities and Hospitals for the scientific organisation in this discipline of three basic courses of Aesthetic Medicine, 34 national congresses, 2 international congresses and 1 world congress.
In 1990 he promoted the International School of Aesthetic Medicine of the Fatebenefratelli Foundation for health and social research and education. This was the first school among the UIME countries to be founded, with a 4-year programme to train experts in this discipline, reserved for graduates in Medicine and Surgery.
Spain
Prof. Josep Font-Riera
– Pioneer of Aesthetic Medicine in Spain
– Founder of the Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine SEME (1976)
He gathered a small group of specialized Spanish doctors (including his co-founder, Prof. Eusebi Sala Planell) to create the nation’s premier scientific, non-profit medical organization for the field. He is considered one of the strong advocates for the development, regulation, and consolidation of aesthetic medicine in Spain. He led the creation of this scientific medical society, which was established to structure the practice and research of aesthetic treatments according to strict professional standards and scientific evidence.
Dr. Josep Font-Riera holds an important place in the history of Aesthetic Medicine in Spain and in the international development of the discipline. He was one of the early physicians who helped establish Aesthetic Medicine as an organized medical field in Europe.
Dr. Josep Font-Riera’s legacy is linked to the early recognition that Aesthetic Medicine must extend beyond external appearance. His work as a nutriciologist contributed to a broader understanding of aesthetic health, in which nutrition and medical care play a central role.
Outside the medical field, he served as Honorary Consul of Senegal in Barcelona from 1973 until his death, working closely to strengthen bilateral relations and provide humanitarian assistance to this African country.