Akira Yamada

Akira Yamada, MD, PhD, serves as Professor in the Department of Surgery at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, holding dual appointments in Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Plastic Surgery. He practices at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, specializing in complex pediatric reconstructive procedures and craniofacial anomalies.

Education and training:

• MD: Yamaguchi University School of Medicine (1987)
• PhD: Osaka Medical College (2009)
• Resident: Kyushu University School of Medicine, Japan, Dermatology (1988)
• Resident: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Hospital, Japan, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1991)
• Resident: Middlemore Hospital, New Zealand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1992)
• Resident: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Hospital, Japan, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1994)
• Fellow: International Craniofacial Institute, Craniofacial Surgery (2001)
• Fellow: Northwestern University, McGaw Medical Center (Lurie Children's Hospital), Pediatric Plastic Surgery (2015)

Dr. Yamada's research centers on pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery with emphasis on craniofacial anomalies, cleft lip/palate, vascular reconstruction, and innovative surgical techniques for congenital defects. His work integrates microsurgery and tissue engineering approaches to address complex reconstructive challenges in neonates and children, particularly in craniofacial and abdominal wall reconstruction. He actively investigates surgical outcomes and multidisciplinary management protocols for rare pediatric conditions.

His 2025 publications demonstrate a consistent focus on surgical innovation across diverse pediatric reconstructive domains, including vascular fistula repair, pandemic-related psychological impacts on gastrointestinal patients, massive hernia management, and neonatal skull base tumors. These works highlight his commitment to advancing evidence-based techniques through multidisciplinary collaboration and rigorous clinical analysis.

Honors and Awards:

• Fellow, American College of Surgeons (2020)
• Fellow, American Association of Plastic Surgeons (2019)
• Top award poster session at PSTM 2022 Boston, American Society of Plastic Surgery (2022)

Dr. Yamada mentors surgical trainees and leads editorial initiatives as Associate Editor for the Journal of Aesthetic Surgery. He directs multidisciplinary teams at Lurie Children's Hospital, coordinating with neurosurgery, gastroenterology, and critical care specialists to develop comprehensive treatment protocols for complex craniofacial and reconstructive cases, particularly for neonates with congenital anomalies.