Jeffrey Weinzweig, M.D., F.A.C.S.

“Image improvement and functional restoration are the core elements of plastic and reconstructive surgery.”
- J. W.

Dr. Weinzweig received his training from Colombia University, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, University of Chicago, ad Brown University. With fellowship training in craniofacial surgery from the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and fellowship training in hand & wrist surgery from the University of Connecticut, Dr. Weinzweig is uniquely qualified to treat all types of craniofacial and hand disorders and anomalies affecting both adults and children. His commitment to achieving outstanding results extends to his special interests in reconstruction of the face and body, and aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery.

Dr. Weinzweig is currently the Chief of Craniofacial Surgery at Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Director of the Chicago Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. In his former roles as Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Director of the Plastic Surgery Residency Program, and Director of the Institute of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery at the Lahey Clinic near Boston, Dr. Weinzweig achieved numerous accomplishments, including expanding the department’s scope of practice, earning reaccreditation of the residency program, and developing a nationally-recognized research program. With the establishment of The Chicago Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Weinzweig welcomes new challenges and the opportunity to offer personalized and individualized patient care in an environment that is conducive.

Dr. Weinzwieg combines the application of art and science to the refinement of surgical approaches as he strives to achieve the best possible result for each of his patients. With exceptional training and the ability to readily connect with his patients, closely incorporating them into every decision throughout their course, he is grateful to be able to transform their lives in a very tangible way.

Research

As a dedicated researcher for more than 30 years, Dr. Weinzweig has conducted a multitude of investigative studies in his laboratories, and with numerous collaborators, at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Brown University, Harvard University, the USDA, the University of Michigan, and the Lahey Clinic. Fields of interest of his over the years have included fetal surgery, biotechnology, biomechanics, medical implant development, and computerized craniofacial surgery simulation.

Pioneering Fetal Research
Dr. Weinzweig and his research team have pioneered the development of a congenital cleft palate model in the goat which they have subsequently repaired in utero and studied extensively over the past decade. In fact, his team is the only one that has actually repaired a true congenital palatal cleft in utero. Current work utilizing this model, which closely resembles the human cleft palate, includes elucidating the mechanism of clefting in an effort to prevent clefting in humans. Working closely with colleagues from the USDA and the University of Michigan has resulted in numerous fascinating findings that may one day permit functional predictions for patients with cleft palate, and possibly cleft prevention entirely.

Novel Biotechnology Advances
Dr. Weinzweig and plastics engineering colleagues from the University of Massachusetts have developed a novel adhesive, resorbable, plating system consisting of a PLA/polyester co-polymer construct that eliminates the need for screws. This disruptive technology has innumerable applications and significant ramifications for craniofacial surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery, and is the focus of multiple patents.

Software for Simulating Surgery
Dr. Weinzweig and Dr. Smith, a colleague from the University of Pittsburgh, have designed novel computer software that utilizes 3D CT images and sophisticated algorithms to predict surgical outcomes for soft tissue movement of the face based on movement of the underlying facial skeleton. This software permits simulation and refinement of surgical procedures and forms the basis of a pending patent.

Committment
As the editor of 5 textbooks, Dr. Weinzweig has orchestrated a world-wide collaborative effort in recruiting the contributions of more than 300 renowned surgeons from 15 countries and four continents to provide the most current information on virtually every aspect of plastic and reconstructive surgery within these books. As the author of almost 200 journal publications and book chapters, Dr. Weinzweig has developed an international reputation as an outstanding clinical surgeon and scientific researcher.

Komedyplast

Seeing the need for an organization that could provide treatment for complex congenital craniofacial abnormalities in developing countries, in 2001, Dr. Weinzweig established Komedyplast, a 501(c)(3) non-profit international foundation that provides a unique approach to the international care of children with congenital anomalies. Komedyplast conducts surgical missions to Lima, Peru for (a) the treatment of pediatric patients that combines a volunteer surgical team with an entertainment team; (b) the training of local plastic surgeons in Lima, providing them with the necessary skills and techniques to care for their own children; and (c) the development of a craniofacial surgery Center of Excellence to serve as a training and treatment referral center for South America.

A true team effort, Komedyplast benefits from the talent and dedication of world-class specialists, including craniofacial surgeons, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and entertainers. Komedyplast strives to develop international Centers of Excellence to serve as training and treatment referral centers in other parts of the world where there is significant need but no access to this expertise. Komedyplast recently returned from Lima, Peru, having completed its 5th successful mission since 2005, and having thus far treated 96 children with complex craniofacial anomalies.

As a scientific researcher for more than three decades, Dr. Weinzweig appreciates the significant role that research plays in the advancement of surgical principles and clinical treatment strategies. In 2009, the Komedyplast Craniofacial Research Grant Program was established in cooperation with the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery (www.ascfs.org) to provide annual grants for clinical and basic science research that strives to elucidate mechanisms of craniofacial pathogenesis and develop strategies to treat resultant craniofacial anomalies. The launch of the Komedyplast Craniofacial Research Grant Program represents a major step forward for Komedyplast , supporting its triad mission of treatment, training, and research.

Education

Columbia University, New York, NY, 1984, B.A.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 1988, M.D.

Residencies and Fellowships

Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Hand Surgery Fellowship: Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
Plastic Surgery Residency: Brown University, Providence, RI
General Surgery Residency: University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL

Certification

American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2000

Previous Hospital & Academic Appointments

Brown University / Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 1999-2004
Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Chairman, Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Burlington, MA, 2004-2009

Current Hospital Affiliations & Appointments

Illinois Masonic Medical Center, 2009 to present; Chief of Craniofacial Surgery
Little Company of Mary Hospital, 2009 to present
West Suburban Medical Center, 2009 to present
MacNeal Hospital, 2009 to present
NorthShore University Health System, 2009 to present

Medical & Academic Societies

American Association for Hand Surgery
American Association of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Craniofacial Surgery
American Association for Academic Chairmen in Plastic Surgery
American College of Surgeons
New England Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons
Association of Academic Surgery
American Cleft Palate - Craniofacial Association
Plastic Surgery Research Council
International Wrist Investigators Workshop
The Wound Healing Society
American Medical Association

Honors & Awards

New England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Founder’s Award, June, 2008
Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Technical Conference, Best Technical Paper Award, March, 2008
International Congress of Physiological Sciences / Experimental Biology, The Frederick A. Coller Surgical Society Award, April, 2005
The Robert H. Ivy Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2nd Place Award for Best Clinical Paper, March, 1999
American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Finalist, The Robert H. Ivy Society Award, October, 1998
Plastic Surgery Senior Residents' Conference, The Blair O. Rogers, MD Best Paper Award in Research, April, 1998
Plastic Surgery Senior Residents' Conference, Best Paper Award in Research, April, 1996
American Association of Plastic Surgeons, The James Barrett Brown Award , April, 1991
Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons, Basic Science Investigators' Category Second Prize , June, 1990
Midwest Surgical Association - 32nd Annual Meeting, First Prize for Best Paper, August, 1989 Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Honorary Diploma denoting Distinction for Outstanding Research in Surgery, June, 1988
Plastic Surgery Research Council, Clifford Snyder Award for Best Paper, May, 1988