Akira Yamada
Akira Yamada MD, PhD, FACS
Dr. Yamada was born in Fukuoka, Japan, and has built a recognized career in Pediatric Plastic Surgery and Craniofacial Surgery. He completed his plastic surgery training at the Department of Plastic Surgery at Tokyo Metropolitan Police Hospital, the birthplace of the microsurgical free flap surgery. He then trained under the legendary Dr. Satoru Nagata, spending three and a half years mastering Microtia Ear Reconstruction.
To further expand his expertise in Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery, Dr. Yamada trained for one and a half years with Kenneth E. Salyer, MD., the former president of the International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF), as a clinical fellow. He later completed a pediatric plastic surgery fellowship at Northwestern University.
Dr. Yamada currently serves a Full Professor of Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, USA. He is also an attending surgeon and Microtia Program Director at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
His leadership roles include:
- Vice President, International Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation (ICPF)
- Medical Director, World Craniofacial Foundation
- Section Editor, Aesthetic Surgery Journal
- Associate Editor, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
Dr. Yamada is deeply committed to global education. He has served as a visiting professor at more than 40 academic centers, performed over 50 live surgical demonstrations, and delivered 70 invited lectures worldwide. His academic contributions include 15 textbook chapters and more than 60 scientific publications.
Outside of surgery, Dr. Yamada is dedicated to his personal wellness. He practices yoga 30–40 minutes every morning before heading to the hospital, a routine that reflects his disciple and balance in both life and work.
