Kerry-Ann Mitchell, MD, PHD

About Me

I am a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon specializing in neuroplastic surgery. My work primarily focuses on complex scalp reconstruction, cranioplasty and patient-specific custom skull implants for adult patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures. My focus is not only to help patients heal, but to improve quality of life and restore patients to normalcy— whether it’s patients who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or stroke and are missing a portion of their skull, or a brain cancer patient with complex scalp or skull conditions. This unique, multidisciplinary, collaborative approach between plastic surgery and neurosurgery involves much more than how a patient looks. A systematic approach can help decrease the risk of serious complications and need for multiple operations, while improving important physical functions and even emotional well-being.

As a neuroplastic surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, I treat patients with scalp, skull or brain disease that result in complex scalp or bone defects. Sometimes I may simply be working with my neurosurgical colleagues to repair the skin to improve wound healing or repair radiation-induced injury. At other times, I may be performing more complex procedures to replace the bone with a patient-specific customized alloplastic implant, or using the patient’s own tissues to perform complex microvascular reconstruction.

It is an honor to have the unique privilege of working with a diverse and inspiring patient population. Their compassion, kindness and resilience drive me to advance the field of neuroplastic surgery and focus my determination on improving patient outcomes.

I believe that a patient’s diagnosis or medical condition does not define who they are. Rather, a patient’s goals and lifestyle can and must play a critical role in developing a successful treatment approach collaboratively. Together, we are able to formulate a treatment strategy that strives to optimize outcomes and quality of life.

In addition to cancer-related surgery, I believe aesthetic principles are at the core of what we do as plastic surgeons. I thoroughly enjoy aesthetic procedures such as facelift, browlift, rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery, and am passionate about serving patients from underserved backgrounds. Facial feminization and gender affirming top surgery for transgender patients are some of my favorite areas of expertise. It is so satisfying to help patients achieve the best version of themselves.

I am also a research scientist. My earlier PhD work, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Epilepsy Society and the Epilepsy Foundation, investigated the underlying mechanisms of brain disease. I developed a novel model of epilepsy that is currently being used in epilepsy studies and antiepileptic drug development worldwide. This has led me to my current research emphasis, which is to develop ways to integrate patient perspectives and feedback into neuroplastic surgery care models that highlight innovative strategies and improve outcomes for patients undergoing scalp and skull surgery.

Highlights

• Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors and Top Black Doctors lists

Procedures and Conditions I Treat

• Mammaplasty
• Breast
• Prostheses and Implants
• Mohs Surgery
• Abdominoplasty
• Lipectomy
• Craniofacial Abnormalities
• Skull
• Scalp
• Surgery, Plastic
• Feminization
• Rhytidoplasty
• Rhinoplasty
• Breast Implants
• Blepharoplasty
• Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
• Cosmetic Techniques

My Videos

Reviews

The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.