The BOAS Man

Boaz Man, DVM, has become one of the clearest and most persuasive voices advocating high-power carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser surgery for the treatment of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). A South Florida clinician who has translated clinical curiosity into practical teaching, Man pairs a busy general practice with a national speaking schedule and an expanding portfolio of educational content aimed at helping general practitioners adopt safe, efficient soft tissue techniques, most notably laser-assisted palatoplasty and nares resection.

Man’s pathway to that role is straightforward and practice-grounded. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Miami in 1999 and his veterinary doctorate from Ross University in 2004, completing clinical training at Oklahoma State University and an internship at Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists before entering private practice. In 2013, he opened Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital in Boca Raton, an American Animal Hospital Association–accredited, Fear Free–certified clinic where he serves as owner and medical director, an operational base he has used to refine and teach laser approaches to BOAS.

That practical focus—making procedures reproducible and accessible to general practitioners—is a key theme in Man’s educational work. He is a regular contributor to dvm360 content and sits on the magazine’s editorial advisory board, where he writes about topics ranging from digital cytology to the pragmatic advantages lasers offer in routine soft tissue surgery. His message to colleagues always retains a pragmatic tilt, that the laser’s ability to minimize bleeding and postoperative swelling, and to shorten anesthetic times, can make BOAS surgery more predictable and manageable in general practice settings.

Recognition of that work arrived in January this year when the American Laser Study Club (ALSC) awarded Man the Kumar Patel Prize in Laser Surgery, honoring his contributions to BOAS laser surgery education. The prize will be presented at the ALSC’s 2026 Veterinary Laser Surgery Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award signals growing acceptance of CO₂ techniques across disciplines and highlights the important role clinicians like Man play in translating evidence and technique into everyday practice.

Colleagues and clients also note his emphasis on humane, fear-minimizing care. Boca Midtowne’s clinic model and Man’s affiliation with Fear Free reflect a commitment to patient comfort and client communication, which are critical ingredients when treating brachycephalic patients, who often present with chronic comorbidities and owner hesitancy. His practice materials include free BOAS consults and owner-focused education designed to set realistic expectations for surgical outcomes and long-term management.

As an educator, Man has tried to lay a path for others to follow. For veterinarians considering adding BOAS surgery or upgrading to laser-assisted workflows, he has espoused training in the technique, partnering with experienced mentors, and building a client education pathway that frames surgery as part of a broader welfare and respiratory health strategy. As laser tools and evidence continue to evolve, clinicians like Man, who blend technical competence with clear communication, are likely to lead BOAS care toward a more standardized, humane future.