Background and Experience
Dr. Dorafshar earned undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Manchester School of Medicine, He completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at UCLA and a combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the University of Chicago. He honed his expertise in craniofacial surgery and microsurgery during a fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital and international fellowships in Mexico, Taiwan, and Tokyo.
While on the Johns Hopkins faculty, Dr. Dorafshar co-directed the Facial Transplantation Program, led the Craniofacial Fellowship, and in 2012 helped lead a team that performed a groundbreaking face transplant surgery. He also served as director of the Department of Plastic Surgery Residency Cosmetic Clinic.
Dr. Dorafshar later served as the John W. Curtin, MD, Endowed Chair of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago where he oversaw the plastic and reconstructive surgery residency programs and co-directed the microsurgical and gender affirmation fellowship programs.
Currently he is the President and CEO of Evolve Your Life and serves as Chief of Plastic Surgery at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois.
Dr. Amir Dorafshar is a distinguished board-certified plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgeon, renowned for his dedication to innovation, education, and compassionate care. Raised in Manchester, England, Dr. Dorafshar’s journey into medicine was profoundly influenced by the values of diligence, hard work, and empathy instilled by his parents. He embarked on his medical career after earning his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Manchester School of Medicine.
His postgraduate education began with an internship in general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and internal medicine in Manchester, UK. Driven by a deep interest in surgical innovation, Dr. Dorafshar completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at UCLA, California, followed by a combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the University of Chicago. He further specialized in craniofacial surgery and microsurgery with a fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, and pursued several international fellowships in Mexico, Taiwan, and Tokyo, enriching his expertise and global perspective on surgical practices.
During his extensive tenure at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Dorafshar held multiple leadership and academic roles within the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Neurological Surgery. He co-directed the Facial Transplantation Program and led the Craniofacial Fellowship, significantly advancing research and clinical practices in plastic surgery, craniofacial reconstruction, and microsurgery. Dr. Dorafshar was a leading surgeon on the team that performed a groundbreaking face transplant surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center in 2012. He was also a key surgeon in a rare, complex pediatric surgery that significantly reduced the size of a boy’s extremely large head at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore in 2012.
Following his impactful tenure at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Dorafshar served as the John W. Curtin, MD, Chair of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where he played a crucial role in the department’s growth and expansion. He also held several key positions at Rush, including Vice Chairman of Academic Affairs in the Department of Surgery and Professor of Neurological Surgery. Additionally, Dr. Dorafshar co-directed the Microsurgical Fellowship, significantly contributing to the education of the next generation of surgeons and was instrumental in establishing the Gender Affirmation Surgery Program and Fellowship at Rush University Medical Center.
Currently, Dr. Dorafshar is the President and CEO of Evolve Your Life, an innovative center dedicated to advancing healthcare delivery through cutting-edge technology and personalized patient care strategies. His practice aims to achieve superior aesthetic and functional outcomes, emphasizing a holistic approach to patient well-being.
Throughout his career, Dr. Dorafshar has served on numerous committees, advisory boards, and in leadership roles, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field. He has been a keynote speaker and moderator at many national and international meetings and serves as a consultant plastic surgeon for several top institutions in the USA and the UK.
As a dedicated educator, Dr. Dorafshar has been instrumental in shaping the careers of many medical students, residents, trainees, craniofacial fellows, and peers through workshops, seminars, classroom instructions, clinical instructions, conferences, and involvement in educational committees.
Dr. Dorafshar has authored over 200 full-length manuscripts and numerous book chapters. He has co-edited critical textbooks on facial trauma surgery and computer-assisted craniofacial surgery, which have become fundamental resources in medical education globally. He also serves as an expert reviewer for several prestigious scientific journals, influencing the scientific discourse in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Dorafshar holds a patent for a universal cranioplasty mesh for plastic and reconstructive surgery, showcasing his commitment to innovation in the field.
Beyond his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Dorafshar is dedicated to global health initiatives, providing essential surgical services, and fostering medical knowledge through his participation in medical missions to various locations, including Puerto Rico, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.
Dr. Dorafshar holds an active license in several states and is board certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the European Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is also a member of numerous medical societies, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, American Society for Craniofacial Surgeons, AO Craniomaxillofacial North America, American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgeons, and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Outside of his professional commitments, Dr. Dorafshar leads a balanced life, engaging in yoga, cycling, and fitness activities, while cherishing quality time with loved ones. His commitment to wellness and personal growth extends beyond his own pursuits, deeply influencing his compassionate approach to patient care and helping others look and feel their best.
