When you trust someone with your face, you deserve proven expertise, rigorous training, and a surgeon who is accountable to the highest medical standards. That’s what board certification represents. Double board certification is an even stronger commitment to patient safety, natural-looking outcomes, and lifelong excellence.
As of September 2025, we’re proud to recognize Dr. Hudson Frey as a Double Board-Certified facial plastic surgeon. With this achievement, all three surgeons at the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery (Dr. Edward Buckingham, Dr. Erin Smith, and Dr. Hudson Frey) are now double board-certified in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and in Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.
This milestone reflects who we are: a team devoted exclusively to the face, delivering refined results with the highest level of care.
What Does “Double Board Certified” Mean?
Board certification is a voluntary, rigorous process beyond a medical license. Surgeons must:
- Complete accredited training
- Pass comprehensive written and oral examinations
- Commit to ethical practice
- Participate in ongoing Maintenance of Certification (MOC) to stay current with advances in safety and technique
How to Earn Double Board Certification
Becoming double board certified is not a simple box to check; surgeons who achieve this distinction complete two separate certification processes, each with its own demanding standards.
Here’s what it takes:
Extensive Training
- Candidates must first complete medical school, followed by a residency in Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS)
- This provides deep expertise in the anatomy, function, and pathology of the head and neck
Primary Board Certification
- After residency, surgeons must pass comprehensive written and oral examinations administered by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (ABOHNS), a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship
- Many pursue a one-year fellowship accredited by the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS)
- Doing so offers concentrated experience in both aesthetic and reconstructive facial procedures
Operative Case Review
- To qualify for the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) exam, surgeons must submit at least 100 operative reports for peer review, demonstrating breadth and mastery in facial procedures
Secondary Board Certification
- Surgeons must sit for the ABFPRS examinations, an eight-hour written and oral test that evaluates knowledge, surgical judgment, and ethical practice
Ongoing Maintenance
- Certification is not permanent
- Surgeons must complete continuing education, submit to periodic review, and uphold strict ethical codes to maintain their standing with both boards
Meet Your Double Board Certified Surgeon, Dr. Hudson Frey
Dr. Frey is a graduate of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and graduated with Cum Laude honors. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, receiving multiple teaching and academic awards for his leadership and dedication to patient care.
After finishing his residency, Dr. Frey pursued advanced fellowship training at the Buckingham Center under the mentorship of Dr. Edward Buckingham. During this fellowship, he refined his skills in complex facial rejuvenation, rhinoplasty, and reconstructive procedures. This experience deepened his passion for enhancing aesthetics and function, ensuring that his patients look better and feel better.
As a double board-certified surgeon, Dr. Frey combines elite training with a thoughtful, personalized approach to care. His patients often commend his attentive listening, calm demeanor, and commitment to helping them achieve natural results that align with their personal goals.
Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery: Exclusively Facial, Relentlessly Patient-First
Your face tells your story, and our responsibility is to protect it with honesty, precision, and care. Double board certification is one way we hold ourselves accountable to that standard, day after day.
We’re thrilled to celebrate Dr. Frey’s achievement and the fact that every surgeon at the Buckingham Center is now double board-certified. For our patients across Austin — and those who travel to see us — it’s another reason to feel confident from your very first conversation with our team.
We'd love to meet you if you’re considering facial rejuvenation or functional–aesthetic surgery. Schedule a consultation to discuss your goals, review tailored options, and see why so many patients trust a double board-certified team for the most important features they own.
