John Meara
Plastic Surgeon-in-Chief
Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery
Children's Hospital Boston
M.D., D.M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S., F.R.A.C.S.
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
Craniofacial Surgery
Health Care Policy and Management
EDUCATION
| 1982-1986 |
B.S. - University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana |
| 1986-1990 | M.D. - University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 1991-1993 | D.M.D. - University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 2003-2004 | M.B.A. - Melbourne Business School, The University of Melbourne, Australia |
SURGICAL TRAINING
| 1990-1991 | Internship, General Surgery - University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 1993-1997 | Residency, Otolaryngology - Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts |
| 1997-1999 | Residency, Plastic Surgery - Brigham and Women's and the Childrens Hospitals, Boston, Massachusetts |
| 1999-2000 | Fellowship, Cleft/Craniofacial Surgery - Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne |
CERTIFICATION
| 1998 | Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology |
| 2001 | Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| 2003 | Fellow, American College of Surgeons |
| 2003 | Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons |
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
| 2000-2003 | Assistant Professor of Surgery - USC Keck School of Medicine |
| 2001-2003 | Assistant Professor - USC School of Dentistry |
| 2003-Present | Research Fellow - Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne |
| 2003-Present | Associate Professor - University of Melbourne |
HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS
| 2000-2003 | Consultant Plastic Surgeon - Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California |
| 2003-Present | Director, Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery - Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne |
| 2005-2006 | Chief of Surgery, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne |
| 2006-Present | Plastic Surgeon-in-Chief, Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston |
SOCIETIES
| 1998-Present | American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery |
| 2001-Present | Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons |
| 2002-Present | American Society of Plastic Surgeons |
| 2003-Present | Australian Medical Association |
| 2003-Present | International Society of Craniofacial Surgery |
| 2004-Present | Australia and New Zealand Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, Councillor |
RESEARCH PROJECTS
1. Tissue Engineering: In collaboration with the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne, we are developing a research program with a focus on the application of existing biomaterials and the development of novel modifications. These materials will facilitate enhanced biointegration and the use of patient derived chrondrogenic and osteogenic precursors for tissue engineering.
2. Neuropsychological outcomes in craniofacial surgery: The long-term cognitive outcomes in craniofacial conditions are poorly described, and few experimental studies have characterised the wide spectrum of neuropsychological abilities of this population beyond global intellect. A preliminary pilot study that was conducted in 2002 described the neuropsychological profiles of 34 children with SC (n=13) and NSC (n=21) who had undergone cranial expansion surgery using standardised measures of intellectual, attention, memory, academic achievement, executive and social and emotional functioning. Amongst the study's major findings, positively, the syndromic craniosynostoses were associated with better cognitive outcomes than reported in the early literature. However study findings also showed that children with NSC, a condition that has been associated with relatively benign cognitive sequelae, displayed subtle neuropsychological deficits in attention and executive skills. Future research is aimed at building upon these preliminary findings through longitudinal studies, that will evaluate the neuropsychological abilities of individuals with craniosynostosis from birth to adolescence at key points in their developmental trajectories.
3. 3D technology in craniofacial surgery: The Department recently unveiled its new 3dMD camera system purchased with a donation very generously provided by the Muriel and Les Batten Foundation. Our surgeons will use this advanced technology to view and assess 3D images of patients to assist in their planning, auditing and assessment of patients who require plastic or reconstructive surgery. The 3dMD system uses 16 cameras to capture a dimensionally accurate, non-invasive 3D image of the patient in less than two milliseconds. The RCH is the first hospital in Australasia to use this technology. View article.
CONTACT DETAILS
| Children's Hospital Boston |
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Department of Plastic Surgery Phone: 1-617-355-4401 |