As a plastic surgeon I am dedicated to improving the quality of life for my patients by providing compassionate and sensitive care. I am committed to offering the most comprehensive and effective treatment to achieve their reconstructive and aesthetic goals. For over 20 years, my practice has focused on providing the clinical care, leadership and education to treat the most complex reconstructive cases after cancer and trauma. I am a board-certified surgeon in both Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. I also held a fellowship in Microvascular Surgery and Head and Neck Oncology. After two decades of experience, I offer excellent outcomes and proven results.
I specialize in reconstructive surgery for patients with traumatic injuries of the face, as well as defects caused by cancer, including cancers of the head and neck, breast, and skin. One focus of my practice is microvascular surgery, which is the practice of transferring one part of the body, or one piece of tissue, with a blood supply that you first disconnect from another part of the body and then reconnect at the site of the injury.
Every year, for the past 20 years, I have travelled to Guatemala to surgically help children born with malformed ears, with a cleft lip/palate, or suffering from burns. Since 2016 I have been a Board Member for the John Lester Foundation, An Endowment for Pediatric Facial Reconstruction.
Awards
• Top Doctors in Plastic Surgery, Castle Connolly’s Guide, 2007 -2024
• Top Doctors, Plastic Surgery, U.S. News, 2011
• Denver’s Top Doctors, Plastic Surgery (Head and Neck), 5280 Magazine, 2011-2017
• Healthcare Heroes, Springs Magazine, Awarded 2019
• Top Doctors, Plastic Surgery, Colorado Springs Style, 2019-2023
• America’s Best Plastic Surgeons, Newsweek, 2023.
• Colorado’s Top Doctors, Plastic Surgery, 5280 Magazine, 2024
Locations
719.364.5080
719.364.5081Qualifications and experience
- Specialties
- Plastic Surgery, Cancers - Cancer Surgery, Cancers - Head and Neck Cancer, Cancers - Skin Cancer, Ear, Nose, and Throat - Head and Neck Tumors, Head and Neck Otolaryngology Plastic Surgery, Vascular Malformations
- Gender
- Male
- Languages spoken
-
English
- Education
-
Residency
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2002)
Fellowship
University of Oviedo (Spain) (2000)
Residency
University of Washington Program (1999)
Graduate
University of Washington (1995)
Medical School
Yale University School of Medicine (1992)
Graduate
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (1990)
Undergraduate
University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) (1987)
- Board Certification
-
Certification Agency Member Board Specialty Year American Board of Plastic Surgery Member Plastic Surgery 2003 American Board of Otolaryngology Member Otolaryngology 2000 - Clinical interest for patients
-
I specialize in reconstructive surgery for patients with traumatic injuries of the face (i.e., Facial Fractures and Extensive Soft Tissue Trauma) and defects caused by cancer (i.e., Head and Neck, Breast, and Skin). As a nationally recognized expert in Microvascular Surgery, free tissue transfer (i.e., transplanting tissue from one site of the body to another, in order to reconstruct an existing defect) is a routine part of my practice. My research and clinical interests focus on surgical outcomes after complex microvascular reconstruction for head and neck defects (e.g., from oral cavity cancer), for mastectomy defects (e.g.,from breast cancer), and for repair of the soft tissue loss often associated with severe fractures of the extremities (e.g., from distal tibial fractures).
Previously, as Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Colorado and Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Children’s Hospital of Colorado, the primary specializations of my practice were facial trauma, cleft surgery, and microvascular reconstruction after cancer surgery in adults and children. My practice continues to focus on these specializations, but patient care for these interests is now also fully supported by the John Lester Foundation For Pediatric Facial Reconstruction. This Endowment provides funds for local families who qualify for financial assistance, as well as for an Annual Surgical Mission to Guatemala to treat children born with absent or malformed ears. - Research interest for patients
-
My research interests have focused on the surgical outcomes after complex reconstruction of the head and neck, face and/or extremities, including treatment for facial paralysis. Breast surgical outcomes after implant are a priority. I am the author or co-author of over 100 published peer-review articles and book chapters in major medical journals and textbooks.
- Volunteer activities
As a graduate-trained epidemiologist and biostatistician, my research activities have focused on the clinical epidemiology of head and neck cancer and the effectiveness of different interventions for patients undergoing cancer or trauma reconstruction. Issues of quality of life and cost-effectiveness have also been basic themes. My clinical research focuses on functional outcomes after head and neck reconstruction, complex clinical outcomes after facial fracture management, facial reanimation, and the genetics of facial clefting. I have published or are in Press over 100 articles and book chapters in Plastic Surgery, Microvascular Surgery, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, and Cleft-Craniofacial Surgery. Recently, CBS news in Denver highlighted our research findings that demonstrated the toxic effects that the vapor from electronic cigarettes has on wound healing in rats undergoing skin flap surgery. KOAA 5 in Colorado Springs and UCHealth have highlighted the value of Plastic Surgery for rehabilitating Breast and Head and Neck Cancer patients.
- Insurance
- UCHealth strongly encourages you to consult with your health insurer to determine accurate information about your coverage and benefits for a particular health care service provided at a UCHealth facility. Read more here.