Phuong D Nguyen MD FACS, FAAP

Aesthetic/Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Craniofacial Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery

Chair of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital Colorado; Professor of Surgery, Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Associate Vice Chair of Global Surgery University of Colorado School of Medicine

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12631 E. 17th Ave.Aurora, CO 80045

Summary

I am a plastic surgeon specializing in pediatric and adult craniofacial surgery. I am double-board certified in plastic surgery and general surgery. My clinical interests include cleft surgery, pediatric and adult craniofacial reconstruction, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, facial palsy, craniomaxillofacial trauma, and global surgery.

How one local family found treatment for their baby boy's bilateral cleft lip |

The Fausto family's son David was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, which happens to be one of the most common birth defects in the U.S. David's paren

Rocking out for our Wonderkids | UT Physicians

You may be wondering, what is a Wonderkid? It's simple. Wonderkids are the pediatric patients of the Texas Cleft-Craniofacial team at UT Physicians. Cleft and C

Well-played: An interview with Dr. Phuong D. Nguyen | The Bulletin

Musicians, like skilled surgeons, have the power to heal-something Phuong D. Nguyen, MD, FACS, FAAP, understands well as a pediatric plastic and craniofacial su

Houston doctor gets star turn singing with Demi Lovato at inauguration

When singer Demi Lovato belted out a cover of Bill Withers' "Lovely Day" during the post-inaugural concert, a crew of backup performers served as a virtual chor

Baby Kate is the first child in Texas to undergo new skull surgery

Magnolia resident Marisa Medlin first noticed something was amiss while she was nursing her weeks-old baby, Kate. "You get a lot of face time during nursing," M

This rock band of doctors has a new song: 'Stay at home. Help the doctor.'

The melody is meant to be catchy. In fact, if the words to "Stay at Home" get stuck in your head, then Dr. Phuong Nguyen, who wrote and performed lead vocal and

Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital offers treatment for children living with f

Children facing facial differences deserve the best medical treatment available to give them a normal life. Fortunately, they can receive that opportunity throu

Phuong D. Nguyen, MD, FACS, FAAP

Dr. Phuong D. Nguyen is an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Director of Craniofacial Surgery in the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery in the Department of

From operating room to center stage - UT Physicians

New to the UT Physicians team, Phuong Nguyen, MD, director of craniofacial surgery and assistant professor at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, is no strange

Dr. Phuong Nguyen MD

Biography Dr. Phuong Nguyen earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed residencies in general surgery and plastic surgery at New Y

Education & Training

The Hospital for Sick ChildrenFellowship, 2014 - 2015
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical CenterResidency, Plastic Surgery - Integrated, 2011 - 2014
NYU Grossman School of MedicineResidency, Surgery, 2004 - 2011
University of Minnesota Medical SchoolClass of 2004
University of MinnesotaB.S., Neuroscience, Magna cum Laude, 1995 - 1999

Certifications & Licensure

CO State Medical License 2023 - 2027
TX State Medical License 2019 - 2025
PA State Medical License 2015 - 2021
CA State Medical License 2011 - 2020
NY State Medical License 2007 - 2019
American Board of Plastic Surgery Plastic Surgery
American Board of Surgery Surgery

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

CRANIO Traveling Fellowship Grant American Society of Maxillofacial Surgery, 2019
Human Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells enriched with Induced Neural Crest Stem-Like Cells as Bio-Ink for 3D Scaffold-free Nerve Construct in a Facial Nerve Injury Model. American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Bernd Spiessl Research Grant, 2017
Junior Investigator Award – Basic Science. “Induced Neural Progenitor-Like Cells from Human Gingiva-Derived Mesenychmal Stem Cells Regulate Myelination of Schwann Cells in Rat Sciatic Nerve Regeneration” Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, 2017
Junior Resident Annual Teaching Award University of Pennsylvania, 2017
International Scholar Plastic Surgery Foundation/Operation Smile, 2016
Resident Scholar American Society Maxillofacial Surgeons, 2012
Teacher of the Year, Chief Resident, General Surgery New York University Medical Center, 2011
Young Investigator Award: “Mediators of Increased Apoptosis in Stressed Diabetic Fibroblasts: p53 control of Bax and Bcl-2” Wound Healing Society, 2009
General Surgery Resident Teacher of the Year New York University Medical Center, 2007
Neal L. and Susan Gault International Study Award University of Minnesota Medical School, 2004
Victor & Robert Vaughn Scholarship University of Minnesota Medical School, 2004
National Merit Scholar University of Minnesota, 1999
Presidential Scholarship University of Minnesota, 1999
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Talk the Talk: The Role of Primary Language in Velopharyngeal Insufficiency.
Marina Shenouda, Kylie Swiekatowski, Stephanie M Johnson, Matthew R Greives, Phuong D Nguyen
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2025-03-26
Medicaid's Cranio-Cap: Medicaid Reimbursement for Craniosynostosis Repair is Not Trending With the Rate of Inflation.
Jasmine M Chaij, Jacob B Hammond, Skyler K Palmer, Anna D Lee, Diego A Gomez
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2025-03-10
Early Outcomes of Endoscopic Spring-Assisted Repair of Metopic Craniosynostosis.
Skyler K Palmer, Connor Elkhill, Ines A Cruz-Guerro, Diego A Gomez, Charles Wilkinson
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 2025-03-06

Journal Articles

Rational Targeting Cdc42 Restrains Th2 Cell Differentiation and Prevents Allergic Airway Inflammation
Phuong Nguyen, MD, Clinical and experimental allergy
The Whitaker classification of craniosynostosis outcomes: an assessment of interrater reliability
Wes AM, Naran S, Sun J, Mazzaferro D, Xu W, Nguyen P, Whitaker LA, Bartlett SP, Taylor JA, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/14/2017
Stress relief: How I joined a band and learned to love my life as resident
Nguyen PD, Plastic Surgery Resident, 1/1/2017
Long-term orthognathic surgical outcomes in Treacher Collins patients
Nguyen PD, Caro MC, Smith DM, Tompson B, Forrest CR, Phillips JH, Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 1/1/2016
Optimization of cranio-orbital reshaping: application of a mathematical model
Isaac KV, Koenemann J, Fukasawa R, Qian D, Linhares A, Saber NR, Drake J, Nguyen PD, Forrest CR, Phillips JH, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 1/1/2015
Lateral incisor agenesis predicts maxillary hypoplasia and le fort I advancement surgery in cleft patients
Lai LH, Hui BK, Nguyen PD, Yee KS, Martz MG, Bradley JP, Lee JC, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2015
Microvascular lifeboats: A stepwise approach to intraoperative venous congestion in DIEP flap breast reconstruction
Galanis C, Nguyen PD, Koh J, Roostaeian J, Festekjian J, Crisera C, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2014
Case report: Treatment of a lower extremity lymphocele with intraoperative lymphatic mapping
Canders CP, Nguyen PD, Festekjian JH, Rudkin GH, Eplasty, 1/7/2013
Patient rankings: Why patient feedback should affect our delivery of care but not our pay
Li A, Yoon A, Vardanian A, Nguyen PD, Sacks J, Gordon C, Jarrahy R, Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, 1/1/2013
Grading lipoaspirate: Is there an optimal density for fat grafting?
Allen RJ Jr, Canizares O Jr, Scharf C, Nguyen PD, Thank V, Saadeh PB, Coleman SR, Hazen A, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2013
Bony engineering using time-release porous scaffolds to provide sustained growth factor delivery
Szpalski C, Nguyen PD, Cretiu Vasiliu CE, Chesnoiu-Matei I, Ricci JL, Clark E, Smay JE, Warren SM, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 1/1/2012
Human fat grafting alleviates radiation skin damage in a murine model
Sultan SM, Stern CS, Allen RJ Jr, Thanik VD, Nguyen PD, Canizares O, Szpalski C, Saadeh PB, Warren SM, Coleman SR, Hazen A, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2011
Topical prolyl hydroxylase domain-2 silencing improves diabetic murine wound closure
Wetterau M, George F, Weinstein A, Nguyen PD, Tutela JP, Knobel D, Cohen O, Warren SM, Saadeh PB, Wound Repair & Regeneration, 1/1/2011
A novel mouse model of cutaneous radiation injury
Thanik VD, Chang CC, Zoumalan RA, Lerman OZ, Allen RJ Jr, Nguyen PD, Warren SM, Coleman SR, Hazen A, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2011
Improved diabetic wound healing through topical silencing of p53 is associated with augmented vasculogenic mediators
Nguyen PD, Tutela JP, Thanik VD, Knobel D, Allen Jr RJ, Chang CC, Levine JP, Warren SM, Saadeh PB, Wound Repair & Regeneration, 1/1/2010
Regulators and mediators of radiation-induced fibrosis: Gene expression profiles and a rationale for Smad3 inhibition
Lee JW, Zoumalan RA, Valenzuela CD, Nguyen PD, Tutela JP, Roman BR, Warren SM, Saadeh PB, Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, 1/1/2010
Inhibition of Smad3 expression in radiation-induced fibrosis using a novel method for topical transcutaneous gene therapy
Lee JW, Tutela JP, Zoumalan RA, Thanik VD, Nguyen PD, Warren SM, Saadeh PB, Archives of Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, 1/1/2010
Scaffold-based BMP-2 therapy in a rat alveolar defect model: Implications for human gingivoperiosteoplasty
Nguyen PD, Lin CD, Allori AC, Schachar JS, Ricci JL, Saadeh PB, Warren SM, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2009
A murine model for studying diffusely injected human fat
Thanik VD, Chang CC, Lerman OZ, Allen Jr RJ, Nguyen PD, Saadeh PB, Warren SM, Levine JP, Coleman SR, Hazen A, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2009
Establishment of a critical-sized alveolar defect in a rat: a model for human gingivoperiosteoplasty
Nguyen PD, Lin CD, Allori AC, Ricci JL, Saadeh PB, Warren SM, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2009
Behavioral effects of the R-(+)- and S-(-)-enantiomers of the dopamine D(1)-like partial receptor agonist SKF 83959 in monkeys
Desai RI, Neumeyer JL, Paronis CA, Nguyen PD, Bergman J, European Journal of Pharmacology, 1/8/2007
Acquisition of oral phencyclidine self-administration in rhesus monkeys: Effect of sex
Carroll ME, Roth ME, Voeller RK, Nguyen PD, Psychopharmacology, 1/1/2000
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Books/Book Chapters

Principles and Practice of Pediatric Plastic Surgery
Chapter: Craniosynostosis
Nguyen PD, Smith DM, Forrest CREditors: Bentz, Bauer, Zuker.CRC Press, London, UK2016
Secondary Rhinoplasty.
Chapter: Secondary Cleft Rhinoplasty
Smith DM, Nguyen PD, Forrest, CREditors: Rohrich, Ahmad.CRC PressEdition 1st,2016
Plastic Surgery Review
Chapter: Congenital Hand
Page 237 - 246Nguyen PDEditors: Lakin, G.E..Thieme Publishing2015
Paediatric Surgery: A Comprehensive Text for Africa
Chapter: Arteriovenous malformations
Page 660 - 663Nguyen PD, Cohen OD, Nadler EPEditors: Ameh E, Bickler S, Lakhoo K, Nwomeh B, Poenaru D.Spectrum Publishing/Global HELP, Seattle, WA2010
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Abstracts/Posters

Decreased secondary bone grafting but poorer midface growth after primary alveolar cleft repair with gingivoperiosteoplasty and rhBMP-2
Yee KS, Nguyen PD, Andrews BT, Lee JC, Bradley JP, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2014
Lateral incisor agenesis predicts maxillary hypoplasia and le fort I advancement surgery in cleft patients
Kao KK, Lai LH, Hui BK, Nguyen PD, Martz MG, Bradley JP, Lee JC, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2014
Surgical anthropology and global craniofacial screening and care: preliminary lessons learned
Segovia LA, Jarrahy R, Taub B, Nguyen P, Siegel N, Ward R, Cuellar J, Hubbard TR, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 1/1/2014

Lectures

Transorbital sural nerve grafting for pediatric keratopathy
Maui, HI - 1/25/2017
Induced Neural Progenitor-Like Cells from Human Gingiva-Derived Mesenychmal Stem Cells Regulate Myelination of Schwann Cells in Rat Sciatic Nerve Regeneration
Colorado Springs, CO - 1/16/2017
Functional Outcome Comparrison of Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty and Free Gracilis Muscle Transfer in Children with Facial Palsy
Newport, RI - 1/10/2017
Comparison of Muscle Activity and Facial Symmetry in Lenghtening Temporalis Myoplasty vs. Two-Stage Free Gracilis Muscle Transfer in Children
Orlando, FL - 1/8/2017
The Influence of Age and Etiology on Operative Outcomes in Facial Palsy after Cross Face Nerve Graft with Free Gracilis Muscle Transfer
Orlando, FL - 1/8/2017
Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty vs. Free Gracilis Muscle Transfer with Cross Face Nerve Graft for Long-Standing Facial Paralysis in Children: An Objective Measure of ...
Orlando, FL - 1/8/2017
Vascular Anomalies for the Pediatrician
Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ - 1/8/2017
Pushing the Frontiers – New Innovations in Facial Reanimation and Corneal Reinnervation
Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ - 1/8/2017
Outcomes in Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty vs. Two-stage Free Gracilis Muscle Transfer in Children
Los Angeles, CA - 1/6/2017
Mitigating Oral Opening Challenges Following Lengthening Temporalis Myoplasty
Los Angeles, CA - 1/5/2017
Vascular anomalies for the primary care physician
Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA - 1/26/2016
Facial Trauma: the Plastic Surgeon’s Perspective
Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Darby, PA - 1/20/2016
IV infiltrates and wound management – a plastic surgeon’s perspective
Virtua Voorhees Hospital, Voorhees, NJ - 1/19/2016
Facial Palsy and Corneal Neurotization
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA - 1/12/2016
Ear Deformities
Wilmington, DE - 1/8/2016
Vascular anomalies: an Update
Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Drexel Hill, PA - 1/8/2016
Comparison of custom CAD/CAM polyetheretherketone versus titanium implants for craniofacial reconstruction in the pediatric population
Barcelona, Spain - 1/27/2015
A virtual reality atlas of craniofacial pathology
Tokyo, Japan - 1/18/2015
Quantitative assessment in craniofacial surgery: an objective metric of global shape change
Tokyo, Japan - 1/18/2015
Comparison of custom CAD/CAM PEEK, HTR, and titanium implants for craniofacial reconstruction in children
Tokyo, Japan - 1/16/2015
Comparison of two techniques for nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis: morphological outcomes
Tokyo, Japan - 1/16/2015
Vascular anomalies: hemangiomas and vascular malformations
Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA - 1/10/2015
When to call the plastic surgeon – benign skin and vascular lesions and ear anomalies
CHOP Care Network Specialty Care and Ambulatory Surgery Center at Brandywine Valley, Glenn Mills, PA - 1/7/2015
Maxillary Hypoplasia in the Cleft Patient: Contribution of Dental Agenesis to Le Fort I Maxillary Advancement
Los Angeles, CA - 1/21/2014
Cultural Awareness and Screening in a Global Surgery Setting
San Diego, CA - 1/4/2014
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Other

Blessed to be alive (Dr. Nguyen featured in this article)
Philadelphia Inquirer
1/21/2017
Plastic surgery principles and facial reanimation (Dr. Nguyen featured in this podcast interview)
Behind the Knife: Surgery Podcast
1/13/2017
Lessons from Vietnam (Dr. Nguyen featured in this article)
Rosenblum G
1/1/2004
The making of a doctor (Dr. Nguyen featured in this article)
Minneapolis Star-Tribune
1/30/2003
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Authored Content

A Critical Assessment and Review of Artificial Intelligence in Facial Paralysis Analysis: Uncovering the TruthJune 2021

Press Mentions

How Far Would You Go to Be Able to Smile?June 24th, 2018
How Many Types of Smile Are There?June 13th, 2018
'Blessed to Be Alive': How a Pa. Woman Survived Shooting Herself in the HeadJune 18th, 2017
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