Dr. Abigail Forbes is the Director of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. She is a Texas native, Baylor University alumni and a board-eligible Plastic Surgeon. She has lived in the Galveston area for over a decade.

Dr. Forbes is well-known for her aesthetic eye as it relates to Plastic Surgery. She maintains the highest standards when it comes to achieving surgical results for her patients. She is very detail-oriented and is a perfectionist in the operating room. Dr. Forbes takes the time to optimize outcomes and, most importantly, her patient’s satisfaction.

Dr. Forbes graduated from Baylor University in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Biology with Honors. She went on to the University of Texas Medical Branch for her medical doctorate degree where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2017. Matching into her top choice of training programs at University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), she then completed a six-year Plastic Surgery Residency where she operated at UTMB, MD Anderson, Memorial Hermann, St. Joseph’s, Dell Childrens, Dell Seton Medical Center and numerous private Aesthetic practices in Texas.

Dr. Forbes has contributed to the field of Plastic Surgery through research, publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals, and spending time educating Plastic Surgery trainees. She is a member of the Truman G. Blocker, Jr., M.D. Society. She particularly enjoys performing mommy makeovers, massive weight loss body contouring, facelift/necklift, blepharoplasties, breast lift/reduction/augmentation, tummy tuck, complex scar revisions, lipoma/benign cyst excisions and labiaplasties.

Jill Resendez, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC is a board- certified Nurse Practitioner with the Division of Plastic Surgery at UTMB. She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington. She provides patient care at the UTMB Health Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics Town Center, Plastic Surgery Specialty clinic in League City, MD Anderson League City and University Health Clinics in Galveston. Jill specializes in non-surgical aesthetic procedures such as Botox, Dermal fillers, lasers, nipple areola tattooing for breast cancer survivors, treatment of complex wounds, new plastic surgery consultations and assist in the management of post operative patients.

Dr. Eric Cole was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, where he graduated from high school as a national merit semifinalist. He attended Stanford University, and then returned to Durham for Duke University Medical School. He remained at Duke for his Otolaryngology residency, and then completed his Plastic Surgery residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Dr. Cole practiced both Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology in Chapel Hill from 1999-2006 where he was on staff at many hospitals including the Durham Veterans Administration where he helped train Duke Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology residents.

Dr. Cole joined an academic private practice in his wife's home town of Norfolk, Virginia in 2006 after the birth of their first and only child. He performed craniofacial and pediatric surgery at Childrens Hospital of the King's Daughters and continued his training of residents and medical students. He developed an interest in cleft surgery and travelled internationally with Operation Smile. His decision to pursue full time academics in 2010 led to his completion of the prestigious Craniofacial and Pediatric fellowship at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles / University of Southern California.

Dr. Cole joined the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) immediately after training, and he currently performs surgery at Shriners Hospital in Houston and Galveston in addition to UTMB. He enjoys his role as Director of Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery. He has recently been on a medical mission for cleft surgery to the Dominican Republic in order to augment resident training and increase international ties to UTMB. He has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals, and has several more recently accepted. He recently authored a chapter on Pediatric Midface Fractures for the upcoming text Operative Techniques in Plastic Surgery. He is a member of multiple national Plastic Surgery organizations, and currently serves on the American Board of Plastic Surgery as an Oral Board Examiner.

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Dr. J. Michael Smith is an Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery specializing in microvascular and complex reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Smith completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors. He obtained his medical degree with honors at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in 2017. He subsequently completed a residency in plastic surgery at UTMB from 2017-2023. Dr. Smith completed a fellowship in reconstructive microsurgery at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center / James Cancer Hospital in Columbus, Ohio in 2024. While in Ohio, Dr. Smith also served as a Clinical Instructor of Plastic Surgery and maintained his own independent faculty practice.

Upon completion of his surgical training, Dr. Smith was thrilled to be recruited for a position at UTMB where he can continue providing care for patients in the area he called “home” for over 10 years. He also looks forward to teaching and mentoring the next generation of UTMB plastic surgeons. Dr. Smith offers a wide variety of surgical procedures ranging from head-to-toe reconstruction to aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body. He is passionate about innovation within plastic surgery and has published 24 peer-reviewed research manuscripts and book chapters. He has presented his work at local, national, and international meetings.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Smith enjoys spending time with his fiancé, Ally, and their Australian Shepherd, Tassie. He is a hot sauce connoisseur, UT football fanatic (hook em!), avid history buff, and inherited a love for guitars and classic cars from his father. He prides himself on providing a patient-centered approach to treat challenging reconstructive and aesthetic concerns and maximize his patient’s quality of life. Dr. Smith and his team look forward to meeting you and working together to help you to achieve your goals.

Dr. Ramón L. Zapata-Sirvent is an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. He also serves as a Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon at Shriners Hospitals for Children®–Galveston (SHC).

Dr. Zapata-Sirvent earned his Doctor of Medicine in 1981 at the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) in Caracas, Venezuela. He then became a research fellow in burn research at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado, from 1982-1984. Then from 1984-1986, Dr. Zapata-Sirvent became a research fellow in surgical immunology at the University of California Medical Center (UCMC) in San Diego, California. He went on to complete his general surgery resident training at UCV from 1986-1989 and returned to UCMC as a research fellow in burn surgery research from 1990-1992. For the next three years, Dr. Zapata-Sirvent completed his residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at UCV.

Upon completing his residency in 1995, Dr. Zapata-Sirvent remained at UCV as a Clinical Professor in the Plastic Surgery Training Program. Then from 1996-2016, he worked in private practice as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at the Centro Medico de Caracas in Venezuela. In 2016, Dr. Zapata-Sirvent became a clinical fellow in reconstructive and burn surgery at UTMB and then joined as a faculty member in 2017.

Dr. Zapata-Sirvent is a member of several national and international professional medical societies, including being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and serves as an editorial board member and journal reviewer for numerous scientific journals. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals and 75 books chapters in medical textbooks and has also served as an editor for 8 medical textbooks.

Anthony W. Linfante, MD is board certified in Dermatology by The American Board of Dermatology and in Dermatopathology by The American Board of Dermatology and The American Board of Pathology. He graduated with a Doctor of Medicine from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA and completed internship training in Internal Medicine at Abington Jefferson Health in Abington, PA. He went on to complete residency training in Dermatology and fellowship training in Dermatopathology at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. Dr. Linfante is an Assistant Professor in both the Departments of Dermatology and Dermatopathology at The University of Texas Medical Branch. He has particular interest in complex medical dermatology including lupus, cutaneous autoimmune diseases, and drug reactions, early detection of skin cancer via noninvasive means, and cosmetic dermatology such as lasers, Botox®, dermal fillers, and chemical peels. He cares for his patients requesting general dermatology visits in Galveston and League City, as well as for cosmetic concerns at the Aesthetic Center in League City.

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Dr. Kathleen Kroger is a board certified dermatologist who focuses on general, pediatric, complex medical and cosmetic dermatology (Botox, fillers, and lasers). She earned her Doctor of Medicine at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and the completed her dermatology residency at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston/MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Kroger is the Medical Clinic Director of Bay Colony Dermatology Clinics.

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Dr. Erica Kelly is a dermatologist who focuses on both medical dermatology for adult and pediatric patients (i.e. skin cancer, psoriasis, eczema, acne etc.) and cosmetic Dermatology (Botox, fillers and lasers). She received her medical degree from Louisiana State University and performed her residency with the University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston. Dr. Kelly is the Director of Cosmetic Dermatology Services for UTMB's Dermatology department.

Dr. Janice Wilson is a board certified dermatologist (general and pediatric) and dermatopathologist. She received her medical degree from the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston and subsequently completed a transitional year internship at Houston Methodist Hospital. She then completed residency in dermatology followed by fellowship in dermatopathology, both at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston. She has academic and clinical interests in benign and malignant melanocytic tumors (melanocytic nevi (moles) and melanoma) and in dermoscopy.

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Stephanie Kemmerling, FNP-C is a nationally board certified and Texas state licensed nurse practitioner who focuses on adult and pediatric dermatology. She graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston where she graduated with honors. Stephanie has specialized dermatology training and has worked in the field of dermatology since 2012. She is the Past Chair of the Nurse Practitioner Society of the national Dermatology Nurses' Association and has held leadership positions in local and regional nurse practitioner organizations. Prior to joining the dermatology department at UTMB, Stephanie worked in dermatology in a private practice in Austin, Texas and as a clinical instructor for nurse practitioner students. She practices dermatology in close collaboration with the faculty at UTMB. Stephanie enjoys working with patients of all ages and treats a variety of dermatologic issues. She individualizes treatment plans to best fit each person's lifestyle and skin condition.