Dr. Aldona J. Spiegel is an Professor of Clinical Surgery (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) at Weill Cornell School of Medicine and Texas A&M, Director of the Center for Breast Restoration, and newly appointed Chief, Division of Innovation, in the Department of Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital. She received her Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Ottawa, trained in general surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore Maryland and completed her plastic surgery residency and microsurgery fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston Texas. Following her microsurgery fellowship, Dr. Spiegel trained directly under her mentor and the pioneer of the DIEP flap microsurgical reconstruction, Dr. Robert Allen. Dr. Spiegel went on to become one of the first surgeons to routinely perform this advanced microsurgical breast reconstruction in Houston. She received further training in super microsurgery for the treatment of lymphedema through lymph node transfer techniques and serves on the scientific advisory board for the Corrine Becker Lymphedema Foundation. Dr. Spiegel is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She has been in practice for over 20 years and has performed over 4000 breast reconstruction cases. Her main field of clinical expertise and scientific interest is advanced breast reconstruction procedures. She specializes in autologous muscle-preserving perforator flaps, focuses on functional aspects of breast restoration, including lymph node transfer, composite breast reconstruction techniques after nipple sparing mastectomy, pre-pectoral direct to implant breast reconstruction, fat grafting procedures and has pioneered techniques for restoration of sensation in microsurgical breast procedures.
Dr. Spiegel’s innovative nature and passion for improving breast reconstruction techniques has led her to create and patent two dermal matrix designs for use in breast reconstruction. She pioneered the technique now widely used to reestablish breast sensation following mastectomy and recently started a preceptorship program for plastic surgeons in which she teaches her specialized techniques during live surgery. Dr. Spiegel is an active principle investigator and mentor working with a research fellow on several grants and numerous research studies. She actively participates in plastic surgery resident training for Houston Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, instructing residents in the highly skilled area of microsurgical breast. Recognizing and understanding the necessity of providing advocacy, understanding, and up to date educational tools, Dr. Spiegel established The Pink Sisters Support Group for her patients.
Dr. Spiegel is a consultant and member of the medical advisory boards for Mentor Worldwide Inc., and the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation and an active and contributing member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS), American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM), World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (WSRM), The Aesthetic Society, Plastic Surgery Research Council, Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, Texas Medical Association and Harris County Medical Society, ARSM Women’s Microsurgery Group (WMG), National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), Society for Leading Medicine, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs, and holds leadership positions in the ASRM, ASRM WMG, ASPS, and NAPBC. She is Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Group for Advancement of Breast Reconstruction and the current President of the Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Spiegel’s technical skill, artistic eye, and unwavering priority of patient focused care has propelled her to having and international presence in plastic and reconstructive surgery and has become a highly sought-after surgeon and speaker. She travels extensively to lecture and teach surgical techniques through educational live surgery presentations and has been involved in the development of microsurgical breast centers around the world. She is the author, editor and reviewer for multiple publications including The Breast Journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Annals of Plastic Surgery and the Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery and has authored two textbooks, written over 50 articles and book chapters and has given more than 200 lectures around the world.
