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A highly personalized experience provided by a team of academic plastic surgeons.

Michael A. Howard, MD

 

Clinical Assistant Professor
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Michael A. Howard, MD joined the NorthShore University HealthSystem Medical Group in 2005. He is also a member the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine faculty. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, his practice focuses on plastic surgery of the breast and complex reconstruction.

Dr. Howard received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and completed his plastic surgery residency at Georgetown University. He then pursued further specialized training in breast reconstruction and microsurgery during his fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Howard has expertise in reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery. He frequently performs breast reconstruction following:

  • Mastectomy for breast cancer
  • Prophylactic or risk-reducing mastectomy
  • Nipple-sparing mastectomy
  • Partial mastectomy or lumpectomy defects
  • Congenital breast deformities

His surgical techniques often utilize:

  • Silicone or saline implants
  • Autologous or "flap" reconstruction, using the patients own tissues (Latissimus and TRAM flaps)
  • Microsurgery or "free flaps" (Free TRAM flap, Gracilis flap)
  • Perforator flaps (DIEP, SIEA, SGAP or IGAP flaps)
  • "One-Step" implant reconstruction

Dr. Howard also performs the following cosmetic surgery procedures:

  • Breast augmentation
  • Mastopexy or "Breast Lift"
  • Vertical or "Short Scar" breast reduction
  • Gynecomastia correction
  • Abdominoplasty
  • Abdominoplasty combined with breast augmentation

In addition to plastic surgery of the breast, Dr. Howard also provides reconstructive surgery procedures for oncologic, traumatic and congenital defects and complex wounds.

As Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Chicago, Dr. Howard has a particular interest in academic plastic surgery and devotes significant time to the education of residents and students and clinical research. He has presented his research at local and national meetings and has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. Currently, Dr. Howard’s research efforts focus on breast reconstruction following nipple-sparing mastectomy and the reconstruction of partial mastectomy defects.