Kim-Chi Vu, M.D.

Meet Dr. Kim-Chi Vu

One of only a handful of female plastic surgeons in Portland, Dr. Kim-Chi Vu attended the University of Portland as an undergraduate and graduated from medical school at the Oregon Health Sciences University, where she also completed her surgical residency.

Dr. Vu certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, specializes in not only cosmetic and reconstructions, but also in hand trauma surgeries. During her residency, Dr. Vu was involved in several research projects, including the heparin effect on thrombocytopenia, bioresorbable ribs stabilization in rib fractures, and a clinical study on composite grafting for correction of bilateral cleft nasal deformity.

Originally from Vietnam, Dr. Vu and her family immigrated to the United States when she was about six years old. They originally resided in Tennessee and moved to Portland, in 1978, where she has remained.
Dr. Vu is married to Andrew Nguyen, an engineer, and they have a four year old son and a two year old daughter. Her hobbies include running, tennis, volleyball, and spending as much time as possible with her family.

Dr. Vu's exceptional knowledge of her field comes not only from her surgical experiences but also from continuing education by attending local as well as national meetings in the field of plastic surgery year long. In addition, she has a background in hand trauma, which is a valuable complement to her usual work. While very different in some respects from carefully choreographed cosmetic procedures, emergency surgeries she performs on hand trauma patients keep her surgical skills at the highest level. "My work in cosmetics and trauma complement one another," Dr. Vu acknowledges. "Trauma keeps me attuned to the minute level of detail that will restore function to an injured hand, while cosmetic work requires an aesthetic, almost artistic, appreciation of how the body works."

Dr. Vu offers a full range of surgical procedures which may include but not limited to breast augmentation, body contour surgery like tummy tuck, liposuction, or body lifts, as well as facial rejuvenation including face lift, brow lift, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery. Dr. Vu is also interested in pursuing areas of post-bariatric surgery and surgeries for men. Dr. Vu feels that these two areas have not been given much attentions, whether due to being a sensitive topics or because these areas have not been given much media attention. "I feel that everyone has his or her own reason to wish or desire to look good, feel better and have confifent about themselves."

"It is very gratifying for me to have the opportunity to show my techniques to my patients and feel very honored and privileged that my patients have the trust in me to help them look and feel more beautiful."

Using these techniques and her years of experience, Dr. Kim-Chi Vu has literally transformed the lives of her patients. Whatever cosmetic changes you're pondering, Dr. Vu and her staff are dedicated and ready to help you in your decision making. Dr. Vu can help you explore how to make your appearance everything you want it to be. Call today to schedule your consultation.

Education

2001 - 2003
Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery Residency, Oregon Health Sciences University

1998 - 1999
Hand Fellowship, Oregon Health Sciences University

1995 - 2001
General Surgery Residency, Oregon Health Sciences University

1990 - 1995
Doctorate in Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine

Medical License

Oregon State Board Medical Examiner 2003-current
Washington State Board Medical Examiner 2006-current
American Board of Plastic Surgery 2005-current

Honors and Awards

1986-1987 William Carlson Chemistry Award, University of Portland
1985-1989 Oregonian Scholarship, University of Portland
1985-1989 Presidential Scholarship, University of Portland
1985-1989 Dean's List, University of Portland
1990-1994 OHSU-School of Medicine Scholarship
1993 & 1994 Woodland Park Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship
1990,1991 & 1994 Oregon State Commission Scholarship: Private Awards
1998-1999 Recipient of AO/Synthes Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery Fellowship
1999 AO ASIF Research Grant for "Resorbable Fixation of Fractured Ribs
2007 Top Docs

Hospital Affiliations

St Vincent Providence Hospital - Portland, OR - active
Legacy Portland Hospitals - Portland, OR - active
Meridian Legacy Hospital - Tualatin, OR - active
Tuality Hospital - Hillsboro, OR - active

Professional Memberships

American Society of Plastic Surgery - active
Oregon Society of Plastic Surgery - active
Oregon Medical Association - active
American Board of Plastic Surgery - active
Northwest Society of Plastic Surgery - active

Credentials: Making Sense of Certification

Almost everyone has heard that they should look for "board certification" when seeking a qualified plastic surgeon (or any physician for that matter). Most people don't really understand exactly what this means and what is involved in becoming "board certified."

Just because a doctor is "board certified" does not mean they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Most states can perform cosmetic procedures without being certified in plastics surgery. This means other doctors such as dermatologists, gynecologists and other doctors are performing plastic surgery without having undergone proper training and certifications.

Thus, when choosing a plastic surgeon, it is important to know whether or not the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The ABPS is the only board that certifies physicians in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body.

Dr. Kim-Chi Vu is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In order for her to be board certified by the ABPS, she had to graduate from an accredited medical school, did her internship and residency in general surgery for five years, then completed two years of approved residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery, practiced for a minimum of two years after graduation, then passed an extensive written and oral board examinations which include a review of all the cases she performed in the past year by the members of ABPS.

Dr Vu is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, where Dr Vu is required to attend continuing medical education courses and meetings regularly and to adhere to strict code of ethics in her practice as a plastic surgeon.

Even fewer people know about certification of operating facilities, who certifies them and what protection such certification offers. We believe patients need this information to make informed choices in their search for the right surgeon, surgery facility and anesthesia provider.

At our office, we have gone to great effort and expense to ensure the highest standard of safety for our patients. As you consider plastic surgery, we hope the following information will help you to evaluate the choices available to you.

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is the agency which oversees subspecialty boards. More than 100 "boards" have been submitted to the ABMS for formal approval, but only 24 have met their strict educational and examination criteria. They are as follows: