photos by SAIL OFF PHOTOGRAPHY
Nationally ranked, with a focus on experience, outcome, and safety, the professionals at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery are succeeding at their vital two-part mission. “Providing cutting edge cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in state-of-the-art facilities, by surgeons recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally, is the first priority,” says Dr. Lisa David, Professor and Chair of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
This talented staff of experts is also training future generations of surgeons in the field of plastic surgery, and many of the other providers in the region were trained here. Their reputation is based on their status as pioneers and innovators, positioned at the cutting edge of new techniques and technologies.
With a staff that’s fellowship-trained, and equipped to care for even the most complex cases, being a patient of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist means having a large group with expertise that spans every aspect of plastic surgery. Their collaborative philosophy allows them to address a wide range of surgical goals and expectations — work that is often life-changing!
Elizabeth Farris
Aesthetician Elizabeth Farris began her career as a massage therapist 15 years ago. She then added her aesthetician license to that, creating the most wonderful combination of facials and massage!
“My most requested treatments are the Luxury Facial which includes a facial with extractions, hand, arm and shoulder massage, but my favorite treatment is the Chemical Peel. I find them to be the most effective and make the biggest immediate visual difference in the skin’s appearance,” she says. “Massage is offered as part of my facial treatments, where a patient can add a 15-, 20- or 30-minute massage to any facial.”
She adds that physician support is abundant at Atrium Health, and providers are recommending the need for facials and a daily skincare regimen – including medical-grade products and prescription-strength ingredients – to their patients.
“Being able to enjoy a spa experience in a medical practice is such a benefit,” says Elizabeth. “The patient can go from a relaxing massage to a facial and stay on the same ‘heated’ table with the same therapist without changing rooms. It’s amazing the difference a facial, peel and skincare regimen with the right products can truly make – patients truly glow inside and out!”
Dr. Lisa David
“I had early exposure to expert plastic surgeons, due to being born with a cleft lip and palate,” Dr. David explains. “My surgeon was my first medical role model, and his care led me to want to do the same for others. As I got more experience in the medical field, it only served to further my passion to care for those with congenital, traumatic, and other plastic surgical problems.”
As she now guides weight loss patients (i.e., body contouring), she’s continually inspired by a patient’s hard work and dedication to get to this point.
“The challenge with weight loss is so many areas of the body are impacted, and cannot all be addressed with a single surgery,” she explains. “It is a journey, so helping them focus on the end goal is important. They are some of the happiest patients I care for, and helping them finish this last part of their goal inspires me!”
Following her B.S. degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, and medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. David did her general surgery residency in Ann Arbor Michigan, a plastic surgery residency at Wake Forest, and a craniofacial fellowship in Sweden. She also earned an MBA from Wake Forest University School of Business in 2019.
Dr. Ivo Pestana
A Professor of Surgery in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Pestana received his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine, and did his residency in general surgery at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
“During my general surgery training, I completed research fellowships in transplantation immunology and trauma medicine,” he explains. “I completed a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery from Duke University Medical Center, and also completed rotations in hand surgery and microsurgery at the University of Louisville and The Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery.”
Dr. Pestana is passionate about breast surgery — including both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. “Seeing people struggling with their appearance and then, after undergoing these procedures, observing their life changing for the better, is inspiring. They feel restored and confident in their everyday activities,” he explains. “I consider it a privilege to participate in their care.”
Breast augmentation, breast reduction or breast lift, and the combination of the two (called mastopexy augmentation) make up most of his work, but he also performs revisions of previous breast procedures and adjusts breast changes that may happen over time, or with weight changes.
Dr. Chris Runyan
Dr. Chris Runyan attended the University of Cincinnati for medical school, and also completed a PhD program studying embryonic development. “That led me to the plastic surgery specialty, as over 50% of all birth defects involve the face and hands — both areas treated by plastic surgeons,” he explains. “After residency I pursued a craniofacial surgery fellowship at NYU for specialty training in complex facial reconstruction. Working with world-renowned experts, I participated in a full-face transplant, and developed expertise in complex facial aesthetic and jaw (orthognathic) surgery.”
Dr. Runyan moved to Winston-Salem in 2016, to join Atrium Health, and says he sees little difference between facial reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. “The end goal for both is to restore a patient to better function and appearance,” he says. “Whether reconstructing a wound, restoring symmetry in the setting of facial paralysis, or tightening aged skin, I listen to the patient’s expectations for normalcy and improved function, then develop a tailored treatment and surgical plan to achieve their goals.” Rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), and facelifts are his most common requested procedures, and also reconstructive and cosmetic orthognathic surgery, which changes the bony foundation of the face and jaws — often used in combination with orthodontia.
Dr. Adam Katz
“Eyelid/eyebrow/forehead (periorbital) surgery is one of many procedures I perform as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon,” says Dr. Katz. “I was drawn to plastic surgery by its creativity, variety, problem solving, and potential to change lives. I’ve wanted to be a plastic surgeon for nearly as long as I can remember!”
His focus is removing excess skin from upper eyelids, treating skin wrinkles of the lower eyelid and cheek region, and lifting the eyebrows and forehead to help treat what is often perceived as a tired or angry appearance.
Dr. Katz graduated from Duke University and the University of Michigan Medical School, and did his surgical training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
“The privilege of having someone’s trust to perform surgery on them is humbling,” he adds. “Helping a patient re-claim their ‘inner youthfulness’ — both physically and mentally — is exceptionally gratifying.”
Dr. Ben Calder
Now a board-certified plastic surgeon at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Dr. Calder worked in general surgery prior to pursuing specialized training in plastic surgery at Wake Forest. He then stayed on as faculty. “My interests within plastic surgery are broad, and include reconstructive surgery in addition to cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body,” he explains. “Rhinoplasty is of particular interest to me for several reasons. Whether for cosmetic or functional purposes, there is an appealing degree of precision involved when approaching surgery of the nose. Small changes can have a tremendous impact on the overall appearance of the face.”
Dr. Calder feels a tremendous sense of satisfaction when a patient can breathe normally for the first time in decades, or has a new sense of self-confidence.
“Patients today are more informed and often desire subtle changes to very specific anatomic portions of their nose, including softening the curve of a bump on the nose (dorsal hump), altering the shape and size of the nasal tip, or repositioning of the nasal bones,” he adds. “While many patients present for cosmetic reasons alone, there are also many patients who have breathing issues or headaches related to nasal airway obstruction or deviated septum.”
One of the largest academic systems in the country, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is located at 1450 Professional Park Drive, Suite 300, Winston-Salem, NC, 336-713-0255. school.wakehealth.edu/departments/plastic-and-reconstructive-surgery
