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My path into medicine and plastic surgery has been shaped by a lifelong curiosity about how things work and a desire to understand them at the most fundamental level. Early on, I was drawn to the hard sciences and immersed myself in physics, chemistry, and biology—disciplines that taught me to think with precision, logic, and discipline. That foundation led naturally to medicine, where the complexity and elegance of human anatomy and physiology fascinated me.
As I progressed through medical school, however, I discovered another side of medicine that became equally important to me. Medicine was not only an intellectual pursuit; it was also deeply human. I valued the opportunity to connect with patients, listen to their stories, understand what mattered to them, and care for them during moments of vulnerability.
Over time, I came to appreciate that being a good physician requires both perspectives. Understanding anatomy, physiology, and surgical technique is essential, but so is understanding the person you are treating—their concerns, expectations, fears, and goals.
Plastic surgery ultimately brought these parts of my personality together. It combines science and anatomy with technical precision, creativity, judgment, and a very personal relationship with each patient. That combination continues to shape how I approach my work today: understand the anatomy, understand the individual, and create a treatment plan that respects both.
My love of science led me to San Jose State University, where I studied chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry. I was fascinated by understanding how things worked at a fundamental level, and that curiosity shaped much of my early education. I was a Dean’s Scholar throughout all eight semesters, received the Merck Index Award for Biochemistry, and graduated with Great Distinction.
From there, I attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, earning my medical degree in 1995. During medical school, my interests increasingly turned toward anatomy and surgery, particularly the complexity of the face, head, and neck. At graduation, I received the Kenneth H. Hinderer, MD Memorial Award for Otolaryngology, an early recognition of the direction my surgical career would ultimately take.
Following medical school, I completed a general surgery internship and then residency training in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn. During this period, I was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, received a research grant from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, and was awarded First Prize for a presentation to the New York Head and Neck Society.
My interest in reconstruction and aesthetic surgery ultimately led me to continue my training with an additional residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at SUNY. During my plastic surgery training, I received the Inchul Song, MD Award from the Former Residents and Associates of Plastic Surgery at SUNY/Kings County Hospital Center. This combination of training provided me with a broad foundation in facial anatomy, function, reconstruction, and aesthetic surgery and ultimately led to board certification in both Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Plastic Surgery.
After completing my training, academics and teaching became an important part of my career. I served as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology at SUNY. I also held leadership positions at major New York City teaching hospitals, serving as Director of Plastic Surgery at Kings County Hospital Center and Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Long Island College Hospital.
Throughout my academic career, I remained involved in research, resident education, scientific presentations, and publication, with work spanning facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, nasal surgery, head and neck reconstruction, airway management, and surgical outcomes.
That path continues to influence how I practice plastic surgery today. My scientific background taught me to be analytical, my surgical training taught me to respect anatomy and function, and my years caring for patients taught me that technical skill alone is not enough. The best operation has to make anatomical sense, be technically sound, and reflect what the individual patient actually wants to achieve.
My passion for surgery developed alongside this human connection. Surgery brought together focus, technical skill, and responsibility in a way that felt instinctively right. I gravitated toward challenging and complex cases and ultimately worked in head and neck oncology, where procedures require a detailed understanding of anatomy, thoughtful planning, and precision under pressure. Those experiences refined my surgical technique and reinforced the importance of meticulous execution and sound judgment.
At the same time, my creative instincts continued to evolve. I found that aesthetic surgery offered a unique space where science, medicine, and creativity could coexist. Plastic surgery allowed me to combine my technical training and medical knowledge with an artistic sensibility, using careful, deliberate techniques to create balance, harmony, and meaningful change.
Today, my practice reflects this journey. I approach plastic surgery as both a science and an art, whether addressing reconstructive needs or aesthetic goals. Every procedure is guided by respect for anatomy, attention to detail, and an understanding of the individual behind the patient. From head to toe, my goal is not simply to change appearance, but to deliver thoughtful, precise care that aligns with each patient’s goals and sense of self.
