Letter from the Director
In 2025, the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis experienced an impactful year marked by academic growth, significant institutional milestones, and surgical service expansion. As we celebrated our 100th year, we welcomed a remarkable group of new faculty. In the spring, our institution hosted the 70th Annual Meeting of the Plastic Surgery Research Council. Our division expanded its services to new locations within the BJC HealthCare system, including Missouri Baptist Medical Center and St. Louis John Cochran VA Medical Center, advancing our mission to provide exceptional patient care and innovative research contributions.
In conjunction to the 100 year milestone of plastic surgery at our institution, the division published a retrospective book, “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants,” tracing the historical roots and developments of plastic surgery both at WashU Medicine and nationally. It emphasizes the contributions of Dr. Vilray Blair, the founding director and a world-renowned clinical innovator who established the American Board of Plastic Surgery a century ago, and his successor, Dr. James Barrett Brown, known as the “Miracle Man of Valley Forge” for his pivotal role in the reconstruction of war-ravaged soldiers.
The division’s legacy of excellence continues to this day, as we produce groundbreaking research and clinical innovations, maintaining our institution’s status as a pioneer in the field, and carrying the torch forward, continuing to shape plastic surgery through excellent education of the future generations of surgical experts.
As part of our mission of excellence and innovation, our Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery welcomed five new members to the faculty, including our new plastic surgery residency director, Dr. Amber Leis. We welcomed Drs. Danielle Brown, and Bo Overschmidt, both of whom are fellowship-trained in hand surgery. We also welcomed Dr. Ruth Tevlin, who completed fellowship training in pediatric and adult craniofacial surgery. Finally, we welcomed our very own chief resident, Dr. William Zhu, who will continue to enrich the plastic surgery practice at our institution. Next year we will have the pleasure of welcoming back to our institution as a member of our faculty, Dr. Alexandra Keane, who completed residency training here and is currently completing an advanced aesthetic surgery fellowship.
Thank you for reading this report and being part of the journey of plastic surgery at WashU Medicine. Together, we are making great strides!
Justin M. Sacks, MD, MBA
Director, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Sydney M. Jr. and Robert H. Shoenberg Chair in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery