UH Plastic Surgery Chief Fuses Surgical Precision with a Commitment to Womens Health

UH Clinical Update | October 2025

Julie Park, MD

Julie Park, MD, wasn’t on a conventional path to becoming a physician. As a Harvard undergrad pursuing a degree in women’s studies, she began her junior year without having taken any of the required pre-med classes. But then she started thinking about a career in medicine – and finding that sometimes-elusive place “where skills and passion intersect.”

“I felt like I needed to come to the decision to go into medicine on my own, not because it was what was expected of me,” she says. “I took two years of summer classes to help fulfill my requirements. I was still early enough in college that I could fit in the added pre-med courseload.”

Today, Dr. Park has found a clinical niche that draws on her women’s studies and psychology background and allows her to bring these skills and experiences to her surgical patients. “Going back to my days in college, I wanted to work with women, to help them determine and achieve their best path forward.”

 She’s finishing her second year as the new Division Chief of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at UH Cleveland Medical Center, where most of her practice is devoted to breast reconstruction. She previously served as the Director of Breast Reconstruction for six years at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and for nine at the University of Chicago.

In addition to performing surgery and managing patient care, Dr. Park is also diligently working to recruit plastic surgery faculty to UH – both for children and adult patients – with the goal of re-establishing the plastic surgery residency program here.

“We are welcoming a new attending starting this month, and I am in the process of recruiting additional surgeons,” she says. “I've been working on creating a permanent chief of pediatric plastic surgery position, which hopefully will be approved soon. We're also working on recruiting another pediatric plastic surgeon. As we grow, I will apply to restart the residency program. To have the opportunity to help rebuild the faculty, instill a supportive team culture, and restart a residency training program is a privilege that aligns with the administrative roles that I most enjoy.”

Given the nature of her work in reconstructive breast surgery, Dr. Park encounters patients at their most vulnerable. She believes that the purpose of breast reconstruction is to improve the patient’s quality of life.  She listens carefully to each patient to understand their priorities so that together they can determine what type of reconstruction would be the best fit.  

“I really enjoy helping women feel a little bit more empowered in a situation where they feel like a lot of their choices are out of their control,” she says. “In this stressful time for patients, hopefully I can give them something to look forward to.”

This kind of compassionate approach to patients serves as an inspiration to Dr. Park’s team, says Kylee Pesa, DMSc PA-C, Lead APP of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

“Dr. Park approaches every patient and team member with empathy and kindness,” she says. “She takes the time to listen, ensuring that patients feel heard and that staff feel valued and supported in their roles.”

In fact, UH CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair, recently recognized Dr. Park’s outstanding performance and leadership with a “Dinner with the Doc” honor.

Like many plastic surgeons, Dr. Park has a love of aesthetics and art. She recently made an elaborate "Baby Yoda” birthday cake for her son, and she crochets baby hats for friends and family. It syncs nicely with her everyday work – using her hands with skill and compassion to try to add beauty and care to the world.

“I get a thrill working and creating with my hands, and surgery adds a dimension of intellectual stimulation through applying my medical background to the balancing of form and function in surgical reconstructions,” she says. “It allows me to assess what every patient brings to the table -- their risk factors, what can I do, what can't I do and the order in which I should do it so the rest of their cancer care can be optimized. At the same time, I stop and really listen to the patient and find out what their major priorities are. It's about improving their quality of life by helping them achieve their goals with the surgical care I provide.”

To nominate a physician for this honor, download the Cliff Appreciates Nomination Form.