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.

 Provider is LGBTQIA+ Responsive

Dr. Channa Blakely was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She earned her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Dr. Blakely then attended the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she made history as the first student to match into an integrated vascular surgery residency. Additionally, she is recognized as the first African American and Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) to secure a position in her residency program. Dr. Blakely completed her training in integrated vascular surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, where she currently serves as an Assistant Professor.

Mr. Davis, a Southeast Houston native, graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Humanities. He returned to his hometown of Deer Park and taught high school Biology and Anatomy before continuing his medical education. Reagan then obtained his Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 2018, where he served as class Vice President. Mr. Davis began his medical career as a PA here at UTMB and sees both adult and pediatric patients for General ENT disorders, with a specialty interest in head and neck cancers and myofascial pain. He remains passionate about education and enjoys teaching rotating clinical students as well as providing lectures to didactic students. During his free time, Mr. Davis enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and going on walks with his wife and newborn daughter, and their dog, Oliver.

Dr. Carmen Mora serves as an Assistant Professor specializing in Pediatric Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. She brings a comprehensive academic background to her medical career. Dr. Mora earned her bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Texas A&M in College Station before pursuing her medical degree at Texas A&M Health Science Center-COM.

After graduating from medical school at Texas A&M Health Science Center-COM, she completed her general surgery residency at UMass-Baystate. Her commitment to advancing pediatric care led her to pursue specialized training through fellowships in Pediatric Surgical Critical Care at the University of Tennessee- Le Bonheur Children’s, Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Pediatric Surgery at UCSF-Benioff Children’s in California.

Raised in Houston, Texas, Dr. Mora’s cultural versatility extends to her fluency in Spanish, enhancing her ability to connect with an underserved patient population. In her role as Assistant Professor, Dr. Mora combines her extensive training, multicultural proficiency, and compassionate approach to provide top-tier care and make a lasting impact on the lives of young patients. Her true passion lies in advocating for the most vulnerable children, embodying her unwavering belief in delivering equitable healthcare to every child, with a special focus on those who are underrepresented in our society.

Orepheus M. Hamilton is a Nurse Practitioner in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. She is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and is licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing. As a member of the UTMB Department of Surgery, Ms. Hamilton works in the areas of colorectal and general surgery.

Ms. Hamilton completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2012 at the Chamberlain College of Nursing in Downers Grove, IL. She went on to complete the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program in 2015 at the Maryville University in St. Louis, MO. As an AGPCNP student, she performed clinical rotations at Memorial Hermann-Southeast in Houston, TX.

Ms. Hamilton has over 17 years of nursing experience and is also a member of the American Nurses Association, District TX09.

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.

Ravi S. Radhakrishnan is the Chief of Pediatric Surgery, a Professor of Surgery, and the Surgical Director of the Pediatric ECMO program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. He received his undergraduate degree in Bio-engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA and an MBA in general management from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX.

After graduating from medical school at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, he completed his general surgery residency and an NIH T32 sponsored research fellowship in Shock, Resuscitation and Intestinal Physiology at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston. In addition, he completed a Pediatric Surgery fellowship at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL.

Dr. Radhakrishnan has won multiple teaching awards and is the author of over 30 scientific publications. He was also recognized as a "Top Doctor" for 2013 by Houstonia Magazine. His clinical interests are in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Surgical Oncology, and Portal Hypertension/Complex Hepatobiliary Surgery.

Tamika Scott MSN, APRN, FNP-C with UTMB Health Department of Surgery.

Tamika Scott, FNP-C grew up in Galveston, Texas and graduated from the University of Arlington with his undergraduate receiving Master's from South University in Savannah, Georgia. She worked with post op surgical patients as a Registered Nurse. Once becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2016 she started working with The Center for Weight Management at UTMB, she continues to work with weight management with The Department of Surgery.

Tamika Scott is Board Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

In her free time, Tamika enjoys spending time and traveling with her family and friends.

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.