My greatest achievement…

One of my greatest achievements is fulfilling my childhood dream of becoming a surgeon. Note that I was a bit precocious at age five and much to the chagrin of my mother, I would tell anyone (whether they asked or not) that I was going to become a cardiothoracic surgeon- then gleefully explain to incredulous strangers exactly what it was! While I changed my mind years later and decided to focus on the intricate surgeries of the head, neck, and face- the childhood dream (or proclamation if you will) of becoming a surgeon was certainly fulfilled. Looking back, my relatively humble background has kept me grounded over the years but the dedication to my goal of becoming one of the most sought out surgeons in the region has never changed!

The future of my field is…

The future of my field is ever-expanding into the realm of minimally invasive procedures. Less often do patients require surgery in the operating room as the technology has evolved to allow safe, comfortable procedures in the office with excellent outcomes.

The biggest misconception about my field is…

The biggest misconception about my field is that it primarily revolves around tubes and tonsils. Essentially, any surgery of the head and neck aside from the eyes and brain are part of my specialty and training. The subcomponents of my field for which I have chosen to focus my practice are the nose and sinus. Facial plastics includes cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and no specialty operates more on the nose, face, neck and adjacent structures than my field.

My most requested procedures are…

My most requested procedures are septoplasty, rhinoplasty, and balloon sinus dilation.

What surgical advancements are you most excited about?

Clarifix is a minimally invasive procedure that can drastically reduce runny nose, post nasal drip, and congestion in only 30 seconds per side! This has been a game-changer for patients dependent on nasal sprays or with limited benefit from allergy treatment. Additionally, for patients with difficulty breathing but are not interested in extensive surgery, Latera is a minimally invasive implant that can improve breathing without significantly changing the appearance. This is ideal for patients that have already had a rhinoplasty, would like to breathe better, but do not want to alter their appearance. The key point is that there are options both surgical and non-surgical!

What are you best known for?

I am best known for treating every patient as a beloved family member with good old-fashioned bedside manner but all of the most modern techniques- the best of both worlds!

What is your most memorable patient reaction?

I recently had a lovely Colombian patient that came to me for consultation regarding a very large forehead tumor that she had for over twenty years. She used various techniques and hairstyles over the years to cover the deformity but was always afraid of having it removed for fear of a huge scar. Using a 5 mm incision, hidden in her hairline akin to an endoscopic brow lift I was able to remove the tumor and provide a cosmetic lift from the stretched skin with virtually no scar. Postoperatively, tears of joy emerged as she looked in the mirror upon removal of the bandages. She told me that she thought she would have to live with the growing mass the rest of her life and now she has renewed confidence and improved self-esteem. Moments like this are the reason why I do what I do!

What sets my practice apart is…

What sets my practice apart is the attention to detail and giving patients superior outcomes with service to match.

What I love most about my profession is…

What I love most about my profession is that it is ever-evolving with new advancements every year.

Career defining procedure?

Balloon sinus dilation and adjunct procedures have revolutionized the treatment of sinusitis, congestion, and breathing disturbances. This procedure only takes twenty minutes to do and can drastically improve quality of life with improved breathing and sleep.

What new services are you excited to offer?

Vivaer is a minimally invasive procedure for which I was the first in South Florida to offer. It uses radiofrequency energy to shrink and shape the inner nasal tissue to improve breathing. There is no change in outer appearance and virtually no significant downtime. For athletes that want to breathe better this is the perfect option to improve breathing and potentially enhance athletic performance.