About Us
Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America traces its roots to an emergency room in 1978. That first burn patient led to the creation of the burn center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, GA. More than three decades later, the Joseph M. Still (JMS) Burn Center at Doctors Hospital has grown to be the largest burn center in America with 72 total beds, including 36 ICU Beds.
Patients from nearly every state in America and more than a dozen countries have been treated at the JMS Burn Center in Augusta. To provide more comprehensive, convenient care to those patients, we opened a network of clinics across the Southeast: first in Atlanta (2006), followed by Charleston, SC, (2007), and Valdosta, GA (2010).
Since the Burn Centers does much more than burn care, we also dedicated ourselves to opening centers in areas in need of advanced burn and wound care, reconstructive surgery, treatment of skin and soft tissue disorders, and more.
BRCA's Admissions Represent 18% of the Total Number of Annual Admission to U.S. Burn Centers
2015: 4,713
2016: 5,414
2015: 17,271
2016: 20,267
2015: 36,924
2016: 42,651
- Acute Burn Care
- Advanced Wound Care
- Burn Disaster Management
- Burn and Wound Research
- Frostbite Injuries
- Hand and Extremity Injuries
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
- Multi-disciplinary Burn Care
- Adult and Pediatric Critical Care Intinsivists
- Physiatrist who oversees Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Burn Nurses
- Psychiatrist
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Scar Revision
- Laser Therapy
- Skin and Soft Tissue Disorders
- Stevens Johnson Syndrome/TENS
- Necrotizing Fasciitis
- Trauma Care
BRCA/JMS
- Nation’s largest Burn Center
- 72 Beds dedicated for burn patients, including 36 ICU Beds, and 4 dedicated Operating Rooms
- 354 Beds
- Designated Burn and Trauma Center
- Inpatient and Outpatient Care
- Adult and Pediatric Care
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
- Patient Family Member Guesthouse and Retreat DIRECTIONS
- For appointments, please call (706) 651-3232 between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. After hours and on the weekends, please call (877) 863-9595.
DEGREE
- M.D., MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA, AUGUSTA, GA, 1991-1995
- B.A., PSYCHOLOGY, EMORY UNIVERSITY, ATLANTA, GA, 1986-1990
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY – CHIEF RESIDENT, ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER, ATLANTA, GA 2001-2002
- GENERAL SURGERY, ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER, ATLANTA, GA 1998-2001
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- ACUTE BURN SURGERY – ADULT AND PEDIATRIC
- RECONSTRUCTIVE BURN SURGERY – ADULT AND PEDIATRIC
- NECROTIZING SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS
OTHER LANGUAGES
- GERMAN
- ITALIAN
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, ROCHESTER, NY, 1991-1995
- B.A., BIOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, ROCHESTER, NY, 1987-1991
RESIDENCY
- PEDIATRICS, EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, GREENVILLE, NC, 1995-1998
FELLOWSHIP
- CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES, CA, 1999-2001
- PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER, WASHINGTON, D.C., 1998-1999
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PEDIATRICS
- PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- PEDIATRIC BURN
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL, NC, 2005-2009
- B.S., BIOLOGY, EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, CHAPEL HILL, NC, 2003-2005
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, BAYLOR SCOTT AND WHITE, TEMPLE, TX, 2009-2015
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BURN SURGERY
- HAND SURGERY
- MICROSURGERY
- PLASTIC SURGERY
- BODY LIFT/SKIN REDUCTION SURGERY
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, 1976-1980
- PRE-MED, UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO, MAYAGUEZ, PUERTO RICO, 1972-1976
RESIDENCY
- UNIVERSITY PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, 1981-1983
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PEDIATRICS
- NATIONAL BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- GENERAL PEDIATRICS
OTHER LANGUAGES
- SPANISH
DEGREE
- M.D., BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, HOUSTON, TX, 1990-1994
- B.S., EXERCISE SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, CA, 1985-1989
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY – CHIEF RESIDENT, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, HOUSTON, TX, 1999-2001
- GENERAL SURGERY, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, HOUSTON, TX, 1998-1999
- GENERAL SURGERY, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, HOUSTON, TX, 1994-1996
FELLOWSHIP
- CRITICAL CARE, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH, GALVESTON, TX, 2005-2006
- GENERAL SURGERY, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, HOUSTON, TX, 1996-1998
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
- SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BURN SURGERY
- BURN METABOLISM
- CRITICAL CARE
- RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
- RESEARCH
- SCAR MODULATION/LASER THERAPY
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, KANSAS CITY, KS, 1990-1994
- B.A., BIOLOGY, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BINGHAMTON, HARPUR COLLEGE, BINGHAMTON, NY, 1987-1990
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT BROOKLYN (DOWNSTATE), BROOKLYN, NY, 1995-1999
FELLOWSHIP
- BURN SURGERY, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL, MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL AND SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN, BOSTON, MA, 2000-2001
- TRAUMA SURGERY AND SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE FELLOWSHIP, YALE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL, NEW HAVEN, CT, 1999-2000
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY – SURGERY
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY – SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BURN SURGERY
- BURN RECONSTRUCTION
- CRITICAL CARE
- INHALATION INJURY
- RE-INTEGRATION OF BURN SURVIVORS
- SKIN SUBSTITUTES
OTHER LANGUAGES
- HEBREW
- SPANISH
DEGREE
- M.D., INSTITUTE OF POST GRADUATE MEDICINE & RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF DHAKA, DHAKA, BANGLADESH, 1981-1987
- JHENIDAH CADET COLLEGE, JHENIDAH, BANGLADESH, 1979-1980
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER, KANSAS CITY, KS, 1998-2000
- GENERAL SURGERY, NYU MEDICAL CENTER, NEW YORK, NY, 1994-1997
FELLOWSHIP
- BURN SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER, KANSAS CITY, KS, 1997-1998
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- ACUTE BURN SURGERY
- GENERAL PLASTIC SURGERY
- RECONSTRUCTIVE BURN SURGERY
OTHER LANGUAGES
- BENGALI
DEGREE
- M.D., MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, ATLANTA, GA, 2001-2005
- B.A., LIBERAL ARTS, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 1997-2000
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, NORTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, MANHASSET, NY, 2006-2011
FELLOWSHIP
- CRITICAL CARE AND BURN, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH, GALVESTON, TX, 2011-2012
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
- SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BURN SURGERY
- BURN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
- SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE
OTHER LANGUAGES
- LAO
Degree
- M.D., St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies, 2001-2005
- B.S., Psychology, St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s City, Maryland, 1987-1991
Residency
- General Surgery – Chief Resident, St. Joseph Mercy-Oakland Medical Center, Wayne State University, Pontiac, MI, 2009-2010
- General Surgery, St. Joseph Mercy-Oakland Medical Center, Wayne State University, Pontiac, MI, 2005-2009
Fellowship
- Critical Care and Burn, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2011-2012
Board Certification
- American Board of Surgery
Clinical Interests
- Diabetic Ulcers/Wounds
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Ischemic Ulcers
- Pressure Ulcers/Wounds
- Venous Stasis Ulcers
DEGREE
- M.D., MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, 1992-1996
- B.S.-P.A., MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, AUGUSTA, GA, 1989-1991
- AUGUSTA COLLEGE, AUGUSTA, GA, 1985-1989
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, SPARTANBURG REGIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, SPARTANBURG, SC, 1996-2001
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BURN SURGERY
- BURN RECONSTRUCTIVE
- ACUTE BURN CARE
- BURN EDUCATION
- BURN RESEARCH
DEGREE
- M.D., LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL, LOMA LINDA, CA, 1962-1966
- B.S., BIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO, TOLEDO, OH, 1958-1962
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, SAINT FRANCIS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 1973-1976
- GENERAL SURGERY, SANTA BARBARA COTTAGE HOSPITAL, SANTA BARBARA, CA, 1970-1973
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- PLASTIC SURGERY
- RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
OTHER LANGUAGES
- GERMAN
- HUNGARIAN
DEGREE
- M.D., UTESA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, 1982-1985
- B.S., UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, GAINESVILLE, FL, 1979-1981
- B.A., HISTORY, FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY, FAYETTEVILLE, NC, 1975-1979
RESIDENCY
- PEDIATRICS, HAHNEMANN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 1986-1988
FELLOWSHIP
- PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA MEDICAL CENTER, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 1988-1991
DEGREE
- D.O., KIRKSVILLE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE, KIRKSVILLE, MO, 1997-2001
- B.S., ZOOLOGY, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, TEMPE, AZ, 1994-1997
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, EISENHOWER ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, FORT GORDON, GA, 2002-2006
FELLOWSHIP
- TRAUMA, GEORGIA REGENTS UNIVERSITY, AUGUSTA, GA, 2014-2015
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY – GENERAL SURGERY
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY – SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- TRAUMA
- 33 Beds dedicated for burn patients, including 13 ICU Beds and 2 Operation Rooms
- 354 Beds
- Designated Burn and Trauma Center
- Inpatient and Outpatient Care
- Adult and Pediatric Care
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
- For appointments, please call (601) 376-2711 between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. After hours and on the weekends, please call (877) 863-9595.
DEGREE
- M.D., VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, NASHVILLE, TN, 1985-1989
- B.A., MARYVILLE COLLEGE, MARYVILLE, TN, 1973-1977
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, NASHVILLE, TN, 2000-2002
- GENERAL SURGERY, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF OHIO, TOLEDO, OH, 1995-2000
- RESEARCH, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF OHIO, DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY, TOLEDO, OH, 1996-1997
- GENERAL SURGERY, MARSHALL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, HUNTINGTON, WV, 1994-1995
- RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY, CHATTANOOGA, TN, 1990-1991
- GENERAL SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, CHATTANOOGA, TN, 1989-1991
FELLOWSHIP
- RESEARCH, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF PLASTIC SURGERY, NASHVILLE, TN, 1997-1999
- RESEARCH, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY, NASHVILLE, TN, 1987
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY
DEGREE
- M.D., RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, NEWARK, NJ, 2001-2005
- B.A., BIOLOGY, DREW UNIVERSITY, MADISON, NJ, 1996-2000
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY – HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER, HERSHEY, PA 2006-2012
FELLOWSHIP
- BURN SURGERY AND SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS – SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN, GALVESTON, TX, 2015-2016
- PLASTIC SURGERY, INDIANA UNIVERSITY, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 2012-2015
- RESEARCH – TRAUMA/CRITICAL CARE, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY – HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER, HERSHEY, PA 2007-2009
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER - BRCA
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, GAINESVILLE, FL, 1972-1976
- DAVIDSON COLLEGE, DAVIDSON, NC, 1968-1971
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 1984-1996
- GENERAL SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, GAINESVILLE, FL, 1979-1983
FELLOWSHIP
- HAND AND MICROSURGERY, DAVIES MEDICAL CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 1986-1987
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- ABDOMINAL WALL RECONSTRUCTION
- ACUTE AND SECONDARY BURN CARE
- HAND SURGERY
- MICROSURGICAL FLAP SURGERY
- PERIPHERAL NERVE SURGERY
DEGREE
- PH.D., MICROSURGERY AND ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY, FU DAN UNIVERSITY, SHANGHAI, CHINA, 1986-1991
- M.B.B.S., FU DAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SHANGHAI, CHINA, 1978-1983
RESIDENCY
- MICROSURGERY AND ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY, ZHONGSHAN HOSPITAL, FU DAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SHANGHAI, CHINA, 1986-1989
- GENERAL SURGERY, ZHONGSHAN HOSPITAL, FU DAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SHANGHAI, CHINA, 1984-1986
FELLOWSHIP
- PLASTIC SURGERY RESEARCH, DIVISION OF PLASTIC SURGERY, DEPARTMENT OF FUNCTIONAL RESEARCH, STANFORD UNIVERSITY, STANFORD, CA, 1993-1998
- MICROSURGERY RESEARCH, DEPARTMENT OF MICROSURGICAL REPLANTATION TRANSPLANTATION, CALIFORNIA PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 1991-1993
- 418 Beds
- Outpatient Care
- Adult and Pediatric Care
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
- For appointments, please call (229) 433-1000 between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. After hours and on the weekends, please call (877) 863-9595.
- 407 Beds
- Level II Trauma Care
- Outpatient Care
- Adult and Pediatric Care
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
- For appointments, please call (843) 203-5796 between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. After hours and on the weekends, please call (877) 863-9595.
- 25 Beds dedicated for burn patients including 8 ICU Beds and 4 dedicated Operating Rooms
- 382 Beds
- Inpatient Outpatient Care
- Adult and Pediatric Care
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
- For appointments, please call (470) 732-7070 between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. After hours and on the weekends, please call (877) 863-9595.
Acute Surgical Care
- Practicing at Doctors Hospital
- Breast Surgery
- Colorectal Surgery
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Laparascopic / Robotic Surgery
- Mastectomy
- Trauma Surgery
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, COLUMBIA, SC, 2007-2011
- B.S., COMPUTER SCIENCE, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, CLEMSON, SC, 2002-2005
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY, JOHNSON CITY, TN, 2012-2016
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- ABDOMINAL AND INGUINAL HERNIA
- BREAST SURGERY
- DISTAL PANCREATIC AND SPLENIC SURGERY
- ENDOCRINE SURGERY
- HIATAL HERNIA AND FOREGUT SURGERY
- MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY
DEGREE
- M.D., MERCER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, MACON, GA, 2000-2004
- B.S., CHEMISTRY & BIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA, CARROLLTON, GA, 1997-2000
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA, AUGUSTA, GA, 2004-2009
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BOWEL SURGERY
- BREAST CANCER
- GALLBLADDER
- HERNIA REPAIRS (LAPAROSCOPIC AND ROBOTIC)
DEGREE
- M.D., MERCER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, MACON, GA, 2000-2004
- B.S., BIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY, BERRY COLLEGE, ROME, GA, 1994-1998
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA, AUGUSTA, GA, 2005-2011
- INTERNAL MEDICINE, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA, AUGUSTA, GA, 2004-2005
FELLOWSHIP
- SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE, GEORGIA HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, AUGUSTA, GA 2011-2012
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY – GENERAL SURGERY
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY – SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- COMPLEX HERNIA SURGERY
- ENTEROCUTANEOUS FISTULA
- ROBOTIC ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY
- COLON RESECTION
- HIATAL HERNIA
- INGUINAL HERNIA
- VENTRAL HERNIA
- SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE AND TRAUMA
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, MEMPHIS, TN, 2003-2007
- B.S., BIOLOGY, RHODES COLLEGE, MEMPHIS, TN, 1998-2001
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER, CHARLOTTE, NC, 2008-2012
FELLOWSHIP
- COLORECTAL, LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY – SCHUMPERT, SHREVEPORT, LA, 2012-2013
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY – GENERAL SURGERY
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY – COLORECTAL SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- ANORECTAL DISEASE (HEMORRHOIDS, FISSURES, FISTULAS)
- COLORECTAL CANCER
- DIVERTICULITIS
- FECAL INCONTINENCE
- INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Colorado
- Inpatient and Outpatient care offered at Swedish Medical Center
- Trained Surgeons who are dedicated to provide care for Burn, Wound and Hand/Extremity Injury Patients
- 15 BEDS Dedicated for Burn Patients, including 8 ICU BEDS
- 2 DEDICATED OPERATING ROOMS for Burn Patients
- 330 Inpatient Admissions and more than 1,800 Outpatient clinic visits
- Admissions include children, with our youngest being 3 months old
- LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTER with 368 licensed beds, The Rocky Mountain Region’s referral center for Neurotrauma and the region’s first Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
- For appointments, please call (303) 788-6466 between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. After hours and on the weekends, please call (855) 863-9595.
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SEATTLE, WA, 2004-2009
- B.A., PUBLIC HEALTH STUDIES, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, BALTIMORE, MD, 1999-2003
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES MEDICAL SCHOOL, 2009-2014
FELLOWSHIP
- HAND & MICROSURGERY FELLOWSHIP, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN, DALLAS, TX, 2015-2016
- CRANIOFACIAL & PEDIATRIC PLASTIC SURGERY FELLOWSHIP, PEDIATRIC PLASTIC SURGERY INSTITUTE, DALLAS, TX, 2014-2015
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BREAST RECONSTRUCTION & LYMPHEDEMA SURGERY
- HAND & WRIST SURGERY
- REPLANTATION
- MICROVASCULAR RECONSTRUCTION
- ACUTE BURN SURGERY & BURN RECONSTRUCTION
LANGUAGES
- ENGLISH
- FARSI
- SPANISH
DEGREE
- M.D., ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE, ALBANY, NY, 2001-2005
- B.A., BIOLOGY, PHILOSOPHY SIENA COLLEGE, LOUDONVILLE, NY, 1997-2001
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY OF NEW JERSEY, NEWARK, NJ, 2005-2012
- PLASTIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN, DALLAS, TX, 2012-2015
FELLOWSHIP
- ORTHOPEDIC HAND FELLOWSHIP, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDICAL CENTER, PITTSBURGH, PA, 2015-2016
CLINICAL RESEARCH
- COMPOSITE VASCULARIZED ALLOGRAFT: FACE & HAND TRANSPLANT
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- HAND & WRIST SURGERY
- REPLANTATION
- MICROVASCULAR RECONSTRUCTION
- BREAST RECONSTRUCTION & LYMPHEDEMA SURGERY
- ACUTE BURN SURGERY & BURN RECONSTRUCTION
Florida
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Trained Surgeons who are dedicated to provide care for Burn, Wound and Hand/Extremity Injury Patients
- 15 beds dedicated for burn patients, including 6 ICU beds; 1 dedicated operating room, located in Bradenton, FL
- Level II Trauma Center (verified by the American College of Surgeons) with 383 beds
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
- For appointments, please call (941) 567-2876, Option 1 between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. After hours and on the weekends, please call (855) 863-9595.
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES, CA, 1990-1992
- B.S., CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA – DAVIS, DAVIS, CA, 1983-1987
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 1999-2002
- GENERAL SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES, CA, 1993-1995
FELLOWSHIP
- HAND SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & LOS ANGELES COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA, 2002-2003
- BURN SURGERY, INDIANA UNIVERSITY, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 1998-1999
- RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES, CA, 1995-1998
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- AUGMENTATION/BODY CONTOURING
- BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
- COSMETIC SURGERY
- LIMB SALVAGE
- MICROSURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION
DEGREE
- M.D., UKRAINE STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, KIEV, UKRAINE, 1986-1993
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, MAYO CLINIC, ROCHESTER, MN, 2004-2006
- GENERAL SURGERY, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF OHIO, TOLEDO, OH, 1999-2004
FELLOWSHIP
- HEAD AND NECK SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, CINCINNATI, OH, 2007-2008
- MICROVASCULAR RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, PITTSBURGH, PA, 2006-2007
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BURN, TRAUMA, AND CANCER RECONSTRUCTION
- RECONSTRUCTIVE MICROSURGERY (HEAD & NECK, BREAST/DIEP, LIMB SALVAGE, REPLANTATION)
- RECONSTRUCTIVE AND COSMETIC SURGERY OF THE FACE
- FUNCTIONAL AND COSMETIC NASAL SURGERY
- ADULT CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY AND MAXILLOFACIAL TRAUMA
- HEAD & NECK TUMORS
- MINIMALLY – INVASIVE THYROID & PARATHYROID SURGERY
- SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE TUMORS (SKIN CANCERS, MELANOMA, SARCOMA)
OTHER LANGUAGES
- RUSSIAN
DEGREE
- M.D., ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE, ALBANY, NY, 2002-2006
- B.A., SIENA COLLEGE, LOUDONVILLE, NY, 1998-2002
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY – CHIEF RESIDENT, DARTMOUTH HITCHCOCK MEDICAL CENTER, LEBANON, NH, 2011-2012
- PLASTIC SURGERY, DARTMOUTH HITCHCOCK MEDICAL CENTER, LEBANON, NH, 2009-2011
- GENERAL SURGERY, DARTMOUTH HITCHCOCK MEDICAL CENTER, LEBANON, NH, 2007-2009
FELLOWSHIP
- BURN SURGERY AND CRITICAL CARE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & LOS ANGELES COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA, 2012-2013
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY – SURGICAL CRITICAL CARE
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BREAST SURGERY
- BURN SURGERY
- COSMETIC SURGERY/BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFTS
- CRITICAL CARE
- FAT GRAFTING
- LIPOSUCTION/BODY CONTOURING
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Trained Surgeons who are dedicated to provide care for Burn, Wound and Hand/Extremity Injury Patients
- 15 beds dedicated for burn patients, including 6 ICU beds; 1 dedicated operating room, located in Miami, FL
- Level II Trauma Center (verified by the American College of Surgeons) and teaching hospital with 417 beds
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
- For appointments, please call (305) 480-6693, Option 1 between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. After hours and on the weekends, please call (855) 863-9595.
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, PITTSBURGH, PA, 1999-2004
- B.S., BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, STATE COLLEGE, PA 1995-1999
RESIDENCY
- GENERAL/PLASTIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – LOS ANGELES COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER, LOS ANGELES, CA, 2004-2010
FELLOWSHIP
- HAND AND MICROVASCULAR SURGERY, MAYO CLINIC, ROCHESTER, MN, 2010-2011
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY
- SUBSPECIALTY OF SURGERY OF THE HAND
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- AESTHETIC SURGERY
- HAND SURGERY
- PERIPHERAL NERVE SURGERY
- PLASTIC SURGERY
- RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
- UPPER EXTREMITY SURGERY
OTHER LANGUAGES
- FARSI
- SPANISH
DEGREE
- M.D., MEDICAL COLLEGE OF OHIO, TOLEDO, OH, 2001-2005
- B.A., ZOOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, MIAMI, FL, 1997-2001
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, MIAMI, FL, 2012-2015
- GENERAL SURGERY – CHIEF RESIDENT, BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER, BOSTON, MA, 2009-2012
- GENERAL SURGERY, BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER, BOSTON, MA, 2005-2007
FELLOWSHIP
- CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY FELLOWSHIP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, 2015-2016
- SURGICAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP, BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER, BOSTON, MA, 2007-2009
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- CLEFT LIP, PALATE AND RARE CRANIOFACIAL CLEFTS
- CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS
- HEMIFACIAL MICROSOMIA
- ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY
- FACIAL TRAUMA
- SLEEP APNEA
- GENITAL AESTHETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
- TRANSGENDER SURGERY
- WOUND CARE AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
DEGREE
- M.D., DOW MEDICAL COLLEGE & CIVIL HOSPITAL, KARACHI, PAKISTAN, 1996-2001
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, INDIANA UNIVERSITY, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 2009-2011
- GENERAL SURGERY – CHIEF RESIDENT, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL – LEWIS KATZ SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 2006-2007
- GENERAL SURGERY, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL – LEWIS KATZ SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, PHILADELPHIA, PA 2003-2006
FELLOWSHIP
- BURN SURGERY, INDIANA UNIVERSITY, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 2008-2009
- HAND AND MICROSURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE – CHRISTINE M. KLEINERT INSTITUTE FOR HAND AND MICROSURGERY, LOUISVILLE, KY, 2007-2008
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY, 2008
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY, 2013
- CERTIFICATE OF ADDED QUALIFICATIONS OF SURGERY OF THE HAND, 2014
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BURN SURGERY
- BURN RECONSTRUCTION
- HAND SURGERY
- FACIAL SURGERY
- COMPLEX RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
OTHER LANGUAGES
- HINDI
- PUNJABI
Texas
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Trained Surgeons who are dedicated to provide care for Burn, Wound and Hand/Extremity Injury Patients
- 15 beds dedicated for burn patients, including 8 ICU beds
- 2 dedicated operating rooms for burn patients
- Level I Trauma Center with 493 beds, a Comprehensive (Level I) Stroke Center and a Level III NICU
- For Visitor Information CLICK HERE
- For appointments, please call (972) 396-4120 between the hours of 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. After hours and on the weekends, please call (855) 863-9595.
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF BOMBAY – GRANT MEDICAL COLLEGE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA, 1989-1994
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, NASSAU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, EAST MEADOW, NY, 2009-2011
- GENERAL SURGERY, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK – UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, SYRACUSE, NY, 2004-2009
- PLASTIC SURGERY, SIR J.J. GROUP HOSPITALS – GRANT MEDICAL COLLEGE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA, 1998-2001
- GENERAL SURGERY, SIR J.J. GROUP HOSPITALS – GRANT MEDICAL COLLEGE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA, 1994-1997
FELLOWSHIP
- CLINICAL AND RESEARCH, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE – MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER, SPRINGFIELD, IL 2002-2004
BOARD CERTIFICATIONS
- AMERICAN BOARD OF SURGERY
- AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- BURN RECONSTRUCTION
- COMPLEX SOFT TISSUE
OTHER LANGUAGES
- ENGLISH
- HINDI
- MARATHI
- PUNJABI
DEGREE
- M.D., DUKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DURHAM, NC, 2003-2007
- B.A., BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND CHEMISTRY, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ITHACA, NY, 1999-2003
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, SCOTT AND WHITE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, TEMPLE, TX, 2012-2015
- GENERAL SURGERY – CHIEF RESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DENVER, CO, 2011-2012
- GENERAL SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DENVER, CO, 2007-2011
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- HAND SURGERY
- FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION
- BURN SURGERY
- BURN RECONSTRUCTION
- COSMETIC SURGERY
DEGREE
- M.D., UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH, GALVESTON, TX, 2004-2008
- B.S., BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE STATION, TX, 2000-2004
RESIDENCY
- PLASTIC SURGERY, GEORGIA REGENTS UNIVERSITY, AUGUSTA, GA, 2013-2016
- GENERAL SURGERY, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA, AUGUSTA, GA, 2008-2013
CLINICAL INTERESTS
- COMPLEX WOUNDS
- RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
- HAND SURGERY
Services
Acute Burn Care
|
BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
|
Frostbite
|
HAND & EXTREMITY INJURIES
|
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
|
Outpatient Clinic
|
Reconstructive Surgery
|
Scar Revision
|
SKIN & SOFT TISSUE DISORDERS
|
The premise and promise of the burn center has been to never turn away a patient in need of specialized burn care. Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America is unique in many ways, including treating both children and adults to the comprehensive circle of care offered by our medical professionals.
At Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, the treatment of patients goes beyond their physical burns and wounds. From the expertise of critical care and pediatric intensivists to the consultation of staff psychiatrists, we truly treat the entire patient. We understand that even a small burn can be catastrophic to entire families, and we work hard to lessen the lasting impact of such injuries.
The acute care is often followed by reconstruction as burn scars can be restricting and interfere with a patients lifestyle. This is often a long process requiring years of reconstructive procedures. Therefore, we have a great opportunity to know our patients and connect with them on a level unlike many other specialties.
Many burn centers focus on the acute injury and once the patient is healed refer them to other surgeons to perform their reconstruction. It has been our experience that having the intimate knowledge of what the patient went through in the initial stages helps us to optimize their reconstructive efforts.
TREATING BURNS AT HOME
Most burns occur at home or work, and the proper response is important both to helping the patient and ensuring proper treatment of the injury.
First, stop the burning process by removing the source of the burn. However, do not endanger yourself. For example, do not try to grab a live electrical wire.
The next step is to remove any jewelry or clothing around the burned area. This will help prevent further damage if swelling occurs. If clothing is stuck to the burn site, do not peel it off. Instead, contact emergency services immediately.
For initial treatment of minor burns, run cool tap water over the burn for at least 20 minutes. For more severe burns, seek medical treatment immediately.
DO NOT
Do not apply butter, grease, honey or powder
Do not use cotton balls or wool to clean a burn
Do not apply ice directly to the burn
DO
Cover the burn with a dry, sterile cloth
Use ibuprofen for pain management
IDENTIFYING SEVERITY OF BURNS
First Degree
Red and painful with no blistering of skin, such as a minor sunburn
Second Degree
Red and painful with blistering – sometimes significantly blistering – of skin. Injuries will maintain a wet appearance.
Third Degree
Injuries have charred appearance, and will be dry to touch. They will have a leathery or white appearance, and be insensate. Treatment of injury will require skin grafting.
Fourth Degree
Injuries will be catastrophic, involve muscle, tendon and bone, and most often require amputation as treatment.
Transfer criteria recommended by the American Burn Association:
- Partial thickness burn greater than or equal to 10% TBSA
- Any burn involving the face, hands, feet, genitalia or major joint
- Any third degree burn
- Chemical burn injury
- Electrical burn injury
- Inhalation injury
- Burn injury in patients with pre-existing medical disorders
- Burns involving concomitant trauma in which the burn injury poses the greater risk
- Burned children in hospitals without qualified personnel or equipment for the care of children
- Burn injury in patients who will require special social, emotional, or long-term rehab
Breast plastic surgeries are minimally invasive procedures that restore and improve the size, shape and position of the breasts. Options for these surgeries include reconstruction, augmentation (enlargement), reduction and lift. Breast plastic surgeries are tremendously beneficial to women who have lost their breast(s) from mastectomy or lumpectomy and would like to have breast reconstruction to restore natural-looking shape, appearance and size, or lost breast volume due to pregnancy or nursing. Patients may also want breasts that are in proportion with their body size, or desire a fuller profile. At BRCA, our highly-trained and experienced plastic surgery team will discuss your priorities to help you choose the right procedure and achieve your goals.
Is It Cosmetic Surgery?
- In most cases, breast restoration is treatment of a disease and considered a reconstructive surgery, not a cosmetic procedure.
When’s the Best Time to Have Breast Reconstruction?
- Our team will work with you to identify the appropriate time for your procedure, accounting for your medical condition, procedural approaches, anatomy and personal desire. Our goal is to create a personalized plan with you to achieve your goals with optimal outcomes in a safe manner. Patients who have begun chemotherapy or radiation will need to wait until they have completed that treatment.
Breast Reconstruction Approaches
- Implants – Implants are made out of silicone, saline or a combination of both. They are placed beneath the chest muscle. This differs from breast augmentation where implants are placed on top of the chest muscle.
- Flaps – During this reconstructive procedure, a breast is created with tissue taken from other parts of the body, such as the thighs, abdominal or gluteal regions. The tissue is then transplanted to the chest, where surgeons can reconnect blood vessels.
Planning for Breast Reconstruction
Women who will have a mastectomy, or may lose a breast from a lumpectomy, have options for surgery:
- Immediate Breast Reconstruction – Women who are not undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment may choose to have reconstruction done in conjunction with their mastectomy or other surgical intervention.
- Delayed Breast Reconstruction – We recommend that women undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment delay their breast reconstruction. If breast reconstruction is not delayed, a reconstructed breast may lose its appearance, change in shape or texture, become painful and could potentially put a person at-risk. A tissue expander will be inserted after the mastectomy to keep the breast skin that was saved during the procedure in preparation for the final reconstruction, which will be scheduled several months after radiation treatment is complete.
The specialty of burn care is not relegated to chemical, electrical, flame and scald injuries. At BRCA, our team of board-certified surgeons and plastic/reconstruction specialists are also trained in the most advanced treatment and management of cold injuries including thrombolytic therapy.
- Cold injuries can result in temporary or permanent tissue damage caused by prolonged exposure to temperatures less than 23°F. Injuries can range from frostnip to more complex injuries including significant local tissue loss and/or limb amputations. The classification of frostbite injuries is similar to burn injuries:
- First Degree: Superficial without blister formation; Frostnip
- Second Degree: Light colored blisters with subsequent peeling
- Third Degree: Dark blisters that evolve into thick, black eschar
- Fourth Degree: Involves bone, tendon and/or muscle
- A better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease process has led to recent advancements in the treatment of frostbite. No longer considered to be a condition of simple tissue freezing, cold injuries are now recognized to be a more complex ailment associated with local tissue injury and vascular occlusion. Today, treatments are designed to rewarm the affected tissues rapidly, while improving blood flow to the injured area with thrombolytics. Tissue plasminogen activator, commonly known as tPA and given to stroke victims, is a proven, effective treatment for frostbite injuries resulting in significantly lower amputation rates. Patients presenting with frostbite should be viewed as a vascular emergency and immediately be referred to a burn specialist who is trained in the use of tPA. Rapid diagnosis and treatment of cold injuries can significantly reduce the morbidity associated with this injury.
The specialties of the BRCA Hand Team include:
Burns and wounds are not the only injuries healed at BRCA. Our team of plastic and reconstruction specialists offers cosmetic, emergency and elective surgeries, including breast enhancement or reconstruction, hand and extremity operations as well as other procedures.
Hand and upper extremity injuries account for one-third of all emergency room injuries and are the most common disabling work injuries. Meanwhile, burning and crushing injuries to the hand are one of the likeliest injuries for children under the age of six.
In recent years, BRCA has assembled a team of hand specialists who can treat cases ranging from traumatic de-gloving injuries to simple sprains. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency cases or consultations. With 29 major and minor bones, 29 joints, 123 ligaments, 48 nerves and 35 muscles, the hand and lower arm are complex areas that requires a skilled assessment and treatment plan.
If you are experiencing pain in your upper-extremities, including wrist, hand, and fingers, contact our office to schedule an appointment today. They can offer a wealth of treatments beyond surgery, including medication, topical treatment, injections, or monitored therapy.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (“HBO Therapy”) provides a patient the ability to breathe 100% oxygen at pressures greater than normal atmospheric (sea level) pressure. This allows more oxygen to pass throughout your body to promote healing, fight infection and kill bacteria. HBO Therapy can assist patients who have carbon monoxide poisoning, challenges associated with wound healing, necrotizing soft tissue, or skin grafts/flaps. You may need more than one HBO Therapy treatment to help your recovery. HBO Therapy does not require a hospital stay, except for patients who are already in the hospital and will be brought back to their hospital room. Patients using HBO Therapy will go through three phases of care:
Compression
During this phase, the patient experiences increased pressure in their ears. Before the treatment, patients are taught how to clear their ears. The HBO Therapy technician helps the patient release the pressure in their ears during the treatment.
Treatment
HBO Therapy feels warm during the compression phase due to pressurization. Once the prescribed pressure is reached, the temperature in the chamber cools. During this time the patient may choose to watch TV, listen to music, or sleep. The treatment lasts approximately 90-120 minutes.
Decompression
The decompression phase begins at the end of treatment. As the pressure is decreased, a “pop” or “crackling” sound occurs as the patient’s ears readjust to normal pressure.
We provide coordinated care with a team of skilled and experienced professionals that includes surgeons, certified wound specialists, nurses, physical & occupational therapists, nutrition counselors and social services coordinators.
One of the most important steps in the healing of a catastrophically burned patient is the process of reconstruction, especially of extensively burned areas. Due to scar formation from deep second or third degree burns, patients will likely need reconstruction to improve restrictive and hypertrophic burn scars. These burn scars to the face, neck, hands and other regions of the body can restrict motion, such as chewing, drinking and hand or neck or leg movements.
Our team of board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons at BRCA, is continuing to develop different avenues to best treat our patients, those with congenital and acquired skin anomalies, wounds and people interested in generally improving their appearance and/or self-esteem. Through our experience of working with thousands of patients, we have developed the skills necessary to create a thorough treatment plan to improve the aesthetics, form and function of our burn patients. We are not only involved in the reconstruction process, but also in the in the acute phase of patient care. This helps plan procedures for future reconstruction, enhance rehabilitation and overall improve patients’ form, function, aesthetic outcome and, ultimately, their quality of life.
Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons use their knowledge and experience of dermal substitutes, skin grafting, tissue expansion, laser therapy, flap reconstruction and microsurgery to help rehabilitate burned victims.
As part of our long-term care and reconstructive services, we offer laser scar revision treatments. Our surgeons tailor treatment plans based on the type and appearance of the scar and level of a patient’s injury. Laser scar revisions can assist with loosening of scars to improve range of motion, decrease itching and pain from scars and offer an improved appearance of the scarred area.
Patients often see results from the laser therapy within days of the initial treatment and usually feel minimal side-effects or discomfort. Improvements may continue with additional treatments, providing short and long term benefits for our patients. Laser technology is a preferred treatment choice for both hypertrophic and atrophic scars.
Hypertrophic scars have texture and are raised because of over excessive collagen formation. The most common side effect of treatment is red or purple discoloration on the skin, which may be seen for several days. Swelling of the treated area may occur, but usually decreases within a few days. After treatment, your skin is sensitive and it’s very important to limit your exposure to the sun to avoid damaging the treated area.
Atrophic scars are depressions in your skin caused by inflammatory skin conditions, such as chicken pox or cystic acne. The goal of the treatment is to reduce the scar’s depressions and promote the production of new collagen to help fill in the depressions. The most common side effects of treatment include redness, swelling and drainage. After treatment, your skin is sensitive and it’s very important to limit your exposure to the sun to avoid damaging the treated area.
Please speak with our team if you are not sure what type of scar you have or if you want to learn if laser scar revision treatments can help with your scar.
Burn and reconstructive surgery is not the only service provided by our surgeons at BRCA. Our team of board-certified surgeons and plastic/reconstruction specialists are trained in the treatment and management of skin and soft tissue disorders, ranging from:
- Degenerative skin disorders: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)
- Infectious processes: Cellulitis and Necrotizing Fasciitis
- Complex wounds associated with chronic diseases: Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Calciphylaxis
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are degenerative skin disorders differentiated by percentage of involved body surface area. While there is some overlap in categorization of SJS and TEN, TEN is characterized with involvement greater than 30% of total body surface area. Patients often present with a patchy reddening or detachment of the top layer of skin following exposure to a “trigger,” most commonly a medication. The disease process affects all epithelial tissues of the body and is associated with a significant inflammatory response. The combination of epithelial loss and severe inflammation leaves the patient susceptible to infections and multi-organ system failure. The care and treatment for these individuals is similar to those with a thermal injury. It is for this reason why the medical community favors treatment of these individuals at a multi-disciplinary burn center to limit morbidity and mortality.
- Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a bacterial infection of the skin, commonly occurring when bacteria pass into the body through an open cut, scrape, burn wound or other puncture wound. Patients with NF may complain of swelling and muscle soreness at the site of the infectious process. The skin is generally warm to the touch and red or purple in color. As the disease progresses, it may be accompanied by blisters, ulcers or blackening of the skin. NF is a medical emergency and should be treated in an urgent manner as the bacteria quickly spreads through connective tissue, and can lead to amputations or death within a narrow window of time. Aggressive surgical debridement, coupled with systemic antimicrobials and hyperbaric oxygen, is often required to prevent the infection from continuing to spread and potentially result in significant morbidity and mortality.
- Diabetic ulcers occur in approximately 15% of diabetic patients. If treated properly, patients can avoid amputation, which affects about 1 in 5 patients who develop an ulcer. Patients who develop ulcers should seek immediate attention from a specialist.
- Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can spread rapidly if not treated immediately. Cellulitis can result in necrotizing fasciitis or sepsis, potentially life threatening conditions. Patients often present with painful, swollen areas of red skin that are warm to the touch. Although it’s most commonly seen on the skin of the lower legs, it can occur anywhere throughout the body. Untreated or mistreated cellulitis can extend through the soft tissues into the lymph nodes and bloodstream, resulting in life threating conditions. Cellulitis should be treated aggressively with antimicrobials while excluding the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis. Significant cellulitis can result in morbidity and mortality and thus should be treated by infectious experts at a medical facility or burn center.
Foundation
The BRCA Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated improving patient care, supporting patients and families after they have been discharged from one of our centers, and facilitating education about burn, wound and hand care throughout various medical communities.
Mission Statement
The healing and helping of patients goes far beyond the walls of our burn centers. The BRCA Foundation is committed to helping patients and their families, while continuously working to improve care throughout the world.
Our foundation was founded on three guiding principles:
- Patient Support
- Education & Scholarship
- Community Outreach
To learn more about us or find out how you can help support our mission, please email: foundation@brcacares.com
Burn Symposium
Established in 2007, the Joseph M. Still Burn Symposium is an annual gathering of medical professionals dedicated to the constant improvement of burn care in America. With sessions presented by leading experts and the availability of educational credits, the Symposium provides your company with a specific, targeted audience.
All donations to BRCA Foundation are tax deductible.
