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. Konofaos is Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Dr. Konofaos received his MD degree in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki Greece. Dr Konofaos obtained the Greek Plastic Surgery Boards in 2010 and the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS) in 2014. He completed a 2-year fellowship training in brachial plexus, facial paralysis and peripheral nerve reconstruction at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk Virginia. Dr Konofaos also completed fellowship training in Microsurgery (1 year) and in Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery (2 years) at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Dr. Konofaos’ clinical practice focuses on peripheral nerve microsurgery (with emphasis on facial paralysis, brachial plexus, migraines and surgical treatment of pain) in pediatric plastic surgery and craniofacial surgery along with reconstructive microsurgery and facial aesthetics. Dr. Konofaos is a member of national and international Plastic Surgery associations and several Plastic Surgery committees related to Plastic Surgery research and education. Dr Konofaos serves on multiple editorial boards for plastic surgical journals, and he is actively involved in clinical research. Dr Konofaos has published over 130 peer-reviewed articles and co-edited several book chapters.

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. 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.

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.

Throughout her career, Dr. Phillips has received a number of accolades. She has been included in the Best Doctors in America database, was listed in the Guide to America's Top Surgeons, was named a Texas "Top Doc" and has been listed in Super Doctors®. She was honored with the "Young at Heart" award from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for her membership, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Plastic Surgery Foundation.

Linda G. Phillips, M.D., is the Truman G. Blocker, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Chair; Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. She went to Medical School at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Phillips also did her Residency at University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan (Plastic Surgery); and Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois (General Surgery). Dr. Phillips specializes in the healing of difficult wounds; body contouring after massive weight loss; reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery; cosmetic facial and body contouring of all types. Dr. Phillips has Research Projects in Biology of surgical infection; use of pharmaceuticals to decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting; complications/outcomes in body contouring after massive weight loss.

Dr. Phillips is a member of 25 professional organizations, including the American Surgical Association, the Plastic Surgery Research Council, the American Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, the Society of University Surgeons, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Association for Hand Surgery, the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation, the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons and the Singleton Surgical Society. She is a fellow of both the American Association of Plastic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. She has served as President or Chair of the Association of Women Surgeons, the Plastic Surgery Research Council, the Residency Review Committee for Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the Plastic Surgery Foundation, the American Council of Academic Surgeons, and the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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Dr. Jing Bai Qin is the Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Dr. Jing is a nationally recognized plastic surgeon known for her expertise in hand surgery, plastic surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Jing received her undergraduate degree from Bates College, where she graduated with summa cum laude, multiple honors, and an unprecedented accomplishment of triple major in biology, economics, and neuroscience, as well as a minor in chemistry. She then attended Boston University Medical School, where she obtained her M.D. degree with Cum Laude distinction and Alpha Omega Alpha honor from the Boston Medical Center.

Dr. Jing completed her plastic surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program, where she received multiple in-service awards and served as the Chief Resident at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. She then received additional specialized training in Hand and Microsurgery at the prestigious New York University, where she learned exceptional skills from the leading experts in plastic surgery and participated in the world’s first successful face and double hand transplant in history. Additionally, Dr. Jing has authored numerous publications and has been invited to present her research in plastic surgery innovations at numerous regional and national plastic surgery conferences.

Dr. Jing offers a wide range of reconstructive plastic surgery and hand surgery procedures. She treats a variety of hand and wrist problems, including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritis, fractures, sprain, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, ganglion cyst, mucous cyst, dupuytren's contracture, tendon injury, nerve injury, and deformity, amongst other pathologies. She is experienced in treating patients of all ages – including children, adults, and elderly patients - and she is the Director of Pediatric Plastic Hand Surgery at UTMB. Additionally, she frequently treats common skin problems such as skin tags, benign skin lesions, malignant skin cancer, and complex tissue reconstruction.

Dr. Jing performs a wide range of cosmetic plastic surgical procedures for the face, body, breast, and chest. She uses the latest techniques in facelift, neck lift, eye lift (blepharoplasty), eyebrow lift, ear pinning (otoplasty), rhinoplasty, and facial implants for the chin, jaw, and cheeks. She offers the most state-of-the-art minimal-incision breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, fat grafting or fat transfer with enhancement, body contouring, facial rejuvenation, and hand rejuvenation treatment using a variety of cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical modalities. For her male patients, she provides a variety of treatment modalities for gynecomastia removal and other enhancement options of the male chest, body, arms, and legs.

Dr. Jing has a strong interest in volunteering and philanthropy and is passionate about giving back to her community. She has been recognized nationally for her volunteer work and she is the recipient of several national Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award – the highest honor for volunteerism in the United States. She also volunteers for medical missions and has traveled abroad to treat children and adults in developing countries around the world.

Dr. Daniel P. Donato is an Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas.

He earned his medical degree with honors at the Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, Ohio, in 2012. He went on to complete his residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 2012-2018, and then completed a fellowship in hand surgery at HealthPartners Institute for Education and Research-Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, from 2018-2019.

Dr. Donato has authored over a dozen peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals and is involved in several national professional medical societies. He was also honored with a Resident Teaching Award in 2018 at the University of Utah for his excellence in teaching as a plastic surgery resident.

Dr. Ludwik K. Branski was born in Kraków, Poland. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Bonn (Germany) and Masters of Medical Sciences degree from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. In addition to completing a residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, integrated program, in Munich and Hannover, Dr. Branski completed a clinical fellowship in Acute Burn and Burn Reconstruction at the University of Texas Medical Branch and Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston. He also completed a postdoctoral training in translational burns research at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston. In 2013, Dr. Branski returned to the University of Texas Medical Branch and currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Plastic Surgery Division, and as a staff surgeon at Shriners Hospitals for Children. He also serves as the Medical Director of the Tissue Bank at Shriners Hospital.

Dr. Branski is an expert in surgical reconstruction of severe burns. He is currently funded by the Department of Defense to study the benefits of growth factor on muscle regeneration in severely burned patients and by the National Institute of Health on the effects of chronic Catecholamine exposure on post-burn scarring. His other research activities center on the use of fat grafting for alleviating hypertrophic scars after severe burns. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and presented his work at numerous national and international meetings.

He is a member of the American Burn Association, International Society for Burn Injuries, Wound Healing Society, Shock Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the German Association of Surgery and the German Association of Plastic Surgery to name a few. He is the recipient of several awards, including a young investigator award from the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Branski's research interests are in burn metabolism, hypertrophic scarring and burn reconstruction, CO2 Laser treatment for the treatment of hypertrophic scarring, wound healing and burn wound infections.