Houston Methodist Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

The plastic and reconstructive surgeons in our division form a cohesive, like-minded group that strives to advance plastic and reconstructive medicine across diverse specialties. We are committed to excellence in clinical care, cutting-edge research and the highest standards in medical education. 

Our accomplished practitioners have earned national and international renown, treating many complex cases referred to our center from all over the world. Jeffrey Friedman, MD, has served as a Director and the Chairman of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, often considered the highest bar in academic plastic surgery. 

Michael Klebuc, MD, has a national reputation for the treatment of those afflicted with facial nerve dysfunction and has contributed to many advancements in facial reanimation surgery. This includes procedures to prevent blindness and restore function and sensation in Bell’s palsy patients. Donald Collins, MD, served as a member of the Public Education Committee of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Collins has been peer-selected many times for inclusion in “Texas Super Doctors” by Texas Monthly Magazines. Anthony Echo, MD has developed groundbreaking nerve decompression techniques to relieve pain and restore function in highly functioning athletes, procedures often overlooked by other specialists. 

Our Faculty ➝   Our Physicians ➝ 

Our faculty publish robust, groundbreaking clinical research on critical plastic and reconstructive surgery topics.  These topics have included microsurgical techniques that enable treatment of previously inoperable conditions, such as unresectable brain tumors. Implant-based breast reconstruction while aiming to restore near normal breast sensation thus pushing the boundaries of traditional outcomes. Nerve decompression techniques to treat chronic pain and sports-related injuries, novel techniques in body contouring procedures, the use of limited access procedures for facial and abdominal aesthetic surgery, and more. 

The Houston Methodist Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery experts share the mission and drive to improve outcomes through innovation allowing for the development of new surgical techniques and products. Aldona J. Spiegel, MD, created and patented two dermal matrix designs for use in breast reconstruction. She pioneered the technique now widely used to re-establish breast sensation following mastectomy and recently began a preceptorship program for plastic surgeons, teaching her specialized techniques during live surgery. She also holds the title of Chief of Division of Surgical Innovation in the Department of Surgery. 

Our team members are sought-after authors and contributors to books and textbooks, and frequent lecturers, often invited to speak at national and international meetings and on prestigious research and clinical panels. 

The Plastic Surgery Residency Program at Houston Methodist is an engaging three-year independent program enrolling two residents each year. In addition, Baylor College of Medicine residents rotate in our hospital during their third and fourth years of study. The comprehensive curriculum prepares residents for successful examination by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. 

Clinical rotations expose our residents to a wide variety of patient cases, including reconstructive surgery, breast reconstruction, cosmetic surgery and more. There are also clinical rotations at partner institutions including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hermann Health System and more.  

Our residents regularly present research at regional, national and international meetings such as the ASPS, ASAPS, ASRM, TSPS, the monthly Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons meetings and the annual Dallas Rhinoplasty course.   

The Fields Rosenberg Summer Surgical Fellowship offers undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in a 10-week paid internship receiving direct mentorship from surgical specialists. Throughout the program, interns participate in weekly seminars focused on career development and professional growth. They attend didactic lectures delivered by Houston Methodist scientists and physician researchers. At the end of their programs, interns give oral presentations about their shadowing experiences. The Fields Rosenberg Summer Surgical Fellowship has a near-100% acceptance rate into medical school. This program, led by Dr. Friedman, is a highly-esteemed and high-profile initiative in the Department of Surgery’s opportunity academy and community engagement efforts. 

We work with learners at all levels — high school students, physician assistant students from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, EnMed medical students and more. Physicians in our division travel to Vietnam, Africa and Ukraine, teaching plastic surgical techniques and providing clinical care to global populations. We also operate a specialized local program dedicated to providing medical care and therapeutic treatment to women who have sustained facial injuries due to domestic abuse. 

Our team prioritizes ongoing education for the entire division through weekly conferences on complex cases and annual lectures provided by internationally renowned plastic surgeons.