Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Our Team Cares for Your Whole Child Through All Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Needs

Meet Dr. Richard Kirschner: Chief of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Our team provides comprehensive care for all pediatric plastic surgical problems, including congenital anomalies (such as cleft lip/palate, hand abnormalities and breast deformities,) acute traumatic injuries, skin tumors (such as moles and cysts) and reconstruction following burns and other traumatic injuries.

New Patients

Now you can schedule appointments and second opinions online with a provider, time and location that is most convenient, or call (614) 722-6200.

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Existing Patients

If your child is already a patient within Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, you can schedule follow-up appointments right in MyChart or call (614) 722-6200.

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Online Second Opinion

We offer online second opinions for select specialties, providing families with valuable feedback on their child’s current diagnosis, treatment plan and clinical trial options.

Online Second Opinion

Referring Physicians

We're one team. Our physician resources make referring your patients to our experts fast, seamless and ensures the highest quality of care.

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Can't Find What You're Looking For?

If you are unable to schedule your next appointment through MyChart, fill out our online Request an Appointment form and a member of our scheduling team will be happy to assist you.

The Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Nationwide Children’s provides comprehensive management for all pediatric reconstructive needs including congenital and traumatic craniofacial and hand anomalies, velopharyngeal dysfunction, hemangiomas and vascular anomalies, pigmented birthmarks, reconstruction after burn injury, ear anomalies and breast deformities.

"We are a unique institution in the number of truly collaborative, multidisciplinary programs within the Department of Surgery. In the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, we are privileged to lead many of these programs, including leading the 22q Center and Cleft Lip and Palate Center. - Richard E. Kirschner, MD

Our Multidisciplinary Programs Include:

Happy Toddler

22q Center

We provide individualized diagnostic and management services in genetics, cardiology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, speech-language pathology, developmental pediatrics, immunology, neuropsychology, behavioral health, audiology, otolaryngology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology, neurology, orthopedics and psychiatry.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Photo

Center for Complex Craniofacial Disorders

Whether your child is diagnosed with jaw abnormalities, facial trauma, craniosynostosis, plagiocephaly or Pierre Robin syndrome, our center offers a comprehensive and compassionate approach to care, provided by experts who understand how children grow and heal.

Young Girl Smiling in Hallway

Cleft Lip and Palate Center

Our center cares for children with cleft lip and palate from a nationally recognized team including experts from plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, otolaryngology (ENT), speech-language pathology, nursing, dentistry, social work, audiology, genetics and psychology.

Orthodontic Treatment Program

Orthodontic Treatment Program

Facial differences can impact a child’s physical, social and emotional development. The Orthodontic Treatment Program offers a compassionate approach to comprehensive care, provided by experts who understand the dental development of children as they grow.

Young boy in hospital bed

Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Program

The Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD) Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides coordinated interdisciplinary diagnostic and treatment services for patients with speech disorders resulting from velopharyngeal dysfunction. It is the only program of its kind in central Ohio.

Young girl in hospital bed with older brother reading to her

Vascular Anomalies Center

The Vascular Anomalies Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital brings together a highly skilled interdisciplinary team of pediatric specialists to provide coordinated and comprehensive care for patients with vascular anomalies.

Teenage Girl Sitting By Computer Smiling

Hand and Upper Extremity Program

Children who are born with hand or upper extremity differences or experience a traumatic injury face unique challenges. Our program is one of the few in the US that includes Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, offering a comprehensive approach.

Jumping Toddler

Brachial Plexus and Nerve Program

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that controls the arm, shoulder and hand function. Injury during birth, or later trauma, can leave the arm without feeling or movement. Surgery may be necessary. Our experts are ready to evaluate, educate and provide appropriate interventions.

Young Girl in Hospital Bed with Stuffed Animal

Pediatric Microsurgery and Facial Reanimation Program

The Pediatric Microsurgery and Facial Reanimation Program is a partnership between Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. It is one of the few programs in the country offering a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to pediatric microsurgery.

Adolescent Breast Program

The Adolescent Breast Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is dedicated to providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment for breast conditions in teenagers and young adults, including macromastia (large breasts), breast asymmetry and gynecomastia.

Leadership

The Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is led by Dr. Kirschner. 

Dr. Kirschner is nationally recognized as a leading authority in cleft lip and palate, resonance disorders, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and vascular malformations. He has been widely published in many leading professional publications and is actively involved in research and teaching. Learn more about Dr. Kirschner.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Medical Professional

Richard E. Kirschner

Richard Kirschner is the chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, director of the Cleft Lip and Palate-Craniofacial Center and co-director of the 22q Center.

Our Clinic Locations

Main Campus 
700 Children's Drive 
Suite T5E 
Columbus, OH 43205 

Hilliard Close To Home Center 
4363 All Seasons Drive 
Suite 100 
Hilliard, OH 43026 

Westerville Surgery Center 
455 Executive Campus Drive 
Westerville, OH 43082

The Fellowship Program in Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a 12-month, non-ACGME-accredited program, with an optional second year of training.

Resident and Patient

The Fellowship is designed to prepare trainees to care for patients across the spectrum of pediatric reconstructive surgery. The focus of the program is on learning a family-centered, multi-disciplinary team approach to various disorders including cleft lip and palate, resonance disorders, craniofacial anomalies, hemangiomas/vascular malformations, and pediatric upper extremity disorders. 

Protected time allows for the pursuit of interests in clinical research, quality improvement and global health.

We strive for excellence in clinical care, research, and education, and our team of clinician scientists is committed to best outcomes and to the discovery of new knowledge in the discipline.
Dr. Khansa and Dr. Lemelman

Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship

The Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship prepares trainees to care for patients across the spectrum of pediatric reconstructive surgery with a multidisciplinary team approach.

Craniofacial Speech Pathology fellow working with patient

Craniofacial Speech Pathology Fellowship

The one-year Craniofacial Speech Pathology Fellowship consists of clinical and research training in the assessment and treatment of cleft lip and palate, pediatric speech disorders, craniofacial anomalies and more.

Learn more about our Fellowship Programs

Online Second Opinions

Dr. Armstrong

Online Second Opinions

Our team is proud to offer online second opinions for patients everywhere. If you are currently receiving care at another institution and would like a second opinion from experts at Nationwide Children’s, please visit our Online Second Opinion Program.

Inside Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Research

Peter B
Patient Story

Peter's Story

Peter was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate and was living in an orphanage in China when Lisa and Greg Burleson adopted him and took him home to Dallas, Texas. Peter underwent a couple surgeries elsewhere until his family found Dr. Richard Kirschner, who performed another surgery on him.