Dr. Robert T. Buchanan MD brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and artistry to his present Plastic Surgery practice in Highlands, NC, where he specializes in helping you achieve your full potential. Whether you simply wish to age healthily or totally remake yourself so your outer appearance matches how you feel, he can help.

He has been chosen to lead because of his knowledge and abilities. His background in reconstruction has allowed him to advance what is possible cosmetically. He takes these attributes and blends them with artistry and understanding, from lengthy discussions with you, to achieve your goals.

Training and Practice

• Private Practice Highlands, NC, 1999-present
• Private Practice and clinical Faculty, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, 1992-1999
• Full Professor of Plastic Surgery, teaching future surgeons and caring for patients, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, 1978-1992
• Plastic Surgery Residency - Washington University, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, 1976-1978
• General Surgery Residency - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1972-1976
• US Navy, Field Surgical Officer, Vietnam and Jacksonville, FL 1970-72
• Straight Surgical Internship - Parkland Hospital, Dallas, TX, 1969-70
• M.D. Degree - Medical College of Georgia, 1969
• Undergraduate - Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 1962-1965 (Entered Medical School at the completion of third year).
• Native of Atlanta

Board Certification

• American Board of Plastic Surgery, 1980
• American Board of Surgery, June 9, 1978 (not active)
• Certified in Surgery of the Hand, 1990 (1st year offered), recertified 1998

Hospital Privileges

• Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, Highlands, NC
• Harris Regional Hospital, Sylva, NC

Honors & Awards

• AMA Medal of Valor for work during the Oklahoma City Bombing
• AMA Physician's Recognition Award given for a superior level of continuing medical education: 1981, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2010 (Available only every 3 years).
• Permanent entry in Who's Who in America
• Other Achievements:
  • World's first nose reattachment
  • World's first free joint transfer
  • Developed and helped refine a number of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures
    • Liposuction (In first group trained in this country)
    • Breast reconstruction
    • Short scar carpal tunnel release
    • Free tissue transfer
  • Elected by peers to lead local and national Plastic Surgical and other medical organizations
    • President, American Association for Hand Surgery, 2001-2002
    • President, Oklahoma Society of Plastic Surgeons, 1982-1986
    • Board of Governors, American College of Surgeons, 1998-2004
    • Board of Directors, Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation, 2000-2003
    • Alternate Delegate Oklahoma State Medical Association, 1997-1999
    • Assistant Chief of Staff, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, 2006-2007
    • Chief of Staff, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, 2007-2009
    • Chief of Surgery, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, 2003-2007 and 2009-2011

Publications & Presentations

Dr Buchanan has authored numerous articles based on research published in national reference journals and books on subjects spanning the full breadth of Plastic Surgery. These articles include ones dealing with the effects of breast augmentation, burns, cleft palate repair, facial fractures, nutritional support, and the first report of a free microvascular joint transplant.

He has been invited faculty of national and international courses and symposia of multiple plastic surgery organizations lecturing on multiple aspects of Plastic Surgery.

He has had papers accepted and presented at the annual meetings of multiple Plastic Surgery organizations.

He has been the invited speaker at the programs of local hospitals and civic organizations.

Dr. Buchanan has developed and helped refine a number of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. With a broad knowledge of the basics, he has been able to take procedures developed for reconstruction, use them cosmetically, and vice versa.

Member of Speaker's Bureau:
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Highlands-Cashiers Hospital
• Previously, Oklahoma State Medical Society

Memberships

Medical:
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Multiple Committee Chairs and Memberships
  • Board of Directors
• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation
  • Board of Directors
  • Multiple Committee Chairs and Memberships
• Fellow American College of Surgeons
  • Board of Governors
  • Committee Membership
• American Association for Hand Surgery
  • President
  • Board of Directors
  • Multiple Offices and Committee chairs
• American Medical Association
  • Presented the Medal of Valor
• North Carolina Medical Society
• Macon, Jackson, and Buncombe County Medical Societies
• North Carolina Society of Plastic Surgeons

In Oklahoma:
• Oklahoma Society of Plastic Surgeons, President, 1982-1986
• Susan G. Komen Foundation, Advisory Board, 1995-1999
• American Cancer Society, Oklahoma City Chapter, Chairman of the Board, 1995-1997
• Fine Arts Institute, Board of Directors, 1991-1993
• Edmond Educational Endowment

Community:
• Rotary International
  • Team Captain, American Cancer Society Relay for Life
  • Multiple projects

Teaching Appointments

• Clinical Professor teaching Residents, Fellows and students from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center while in private practice 1992-1999
• Professor, teaching full time while caring for patients in the Section of Plastic Surgery, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma, City, OK, 1978-1992