Kari A. Keys

Kari A. Keys, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Washington, practicing at UW Medicine and Harborview Medical Center. She specializes in reconstructive surgery of the trunk and extremities following trauma, infection, cancer, or surgical complications, and performs panniculectomies, hidradenitis, and scar reduction procedures.

Her educational background includes:

• Medical education from the University of California, San Francisco (2006)
• Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Washington
• General Surgery Internship at the University of Washington

Dr. Keys' research centers on clinical outcomes in reconstructive surgery, particularly lower extremity reconstruction, pressure sores, and necrotizing fasciitis. She pioneers Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols and quality improvement initiatives, emphasizing evidence-based standardization of care. Her methodology combines surgical innovation with patient-centered outcome measurement.

Analysis of her publications reveals consistent focus on complex wound scenarios including necrotizing infections, fireworks-related trauma, and plantar surface reconstruction. Her work demonstrates strong multidisciplinary collaboration with orthopedics and trauma surgery, highlighting surgical technique refinement, outcomes assessment, and adaptation of ERAS principles to reconstructive contexts.

Dr. Keys actively mentors medical residents and develops surgical curriculum, integrating clinical expertise with educational leadership. Her teaching emphasizes comprehensive patient evaluation and technical precision in reconstructive procedures.

She operates within Harborview Medical Center's multidisciplinary framework, collaborating with urology, orthopedics, burn surgery, neurosurgery, and trauma surgery teams. Patient reviews consistently praise her attentive communication, thorough explanations, and coordinated team approach to complex reconstructive challenges.