Alison Snyder-Warwick, MD, is the new section head for the Section of Plastic Surgery

The Department of Surgery is excited to welcome Alison Snyder-Warwick, MD, as the new section head for the Section of Plastic Surgery.

Snyder-Warwick comes to Michigan Medicine from Washington University in St. Louis, where she was an Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with a secondary appointment in Developmental Biology. There, she was also the Residency Program Director, the Director of the Facial Nerve Institute, and the co-Director of the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Institute.

Snyder-Warwick completed medical school, a research fellowship in Developmental Biology, and surgical residency training all at Wash U. She completed specialized training in pediatric plastic surgery and pediatric microsurgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.

Her main clinical focuses are facial nerve reconstruction and pediatric plastic surgery. Her clinical interests have led to pioneering basic science research investigations involving the terminal Schwann cell, a unique glial cell present at the nerve-muscle interface. She runs a basic science lab and has secured funding from the NIH and multiple private sources.

Snyder-Warwick is a member of numerous surgical societies. Among them:

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery
• Plastic Surgery Research Council (Chair)
• American Society for Peripheral Nerve (Secretary)
• American Association of Pediatric Plastic Surgeons
• American Association of Plastic Surgeons

She also currently serves as treasurer for the Sir Charles Bell Society, an international, multidisciplinary group dedicated to advancing care for people afflicted with facial nerve disorders. She is the former chair of the Plastic Surgery Foundation Basic Science Study Section and is the current Curriculum Committee chair from the American Council of Educators in Plastic Surgery. This year, she has been promoted to senior oral examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In addition, she serves on multiple national and international committees.

“I am thrilled to join the exemplary team at the University of Michigan. The people, resources, and culture enable immense opportunities for growth, collaboration, discovery, and innovation in plastic surgery and beyond. Looking forward to the impactful work we will do together,” Snyder-Warwick said.

Paul Cederna, MD, Snyder-Warwick’s predecessor, led the section for 12 years. Under his tenure, the Section of Plastic Surgery has distinguished itself as the number one research program in the country, diversified its faculty and residents to include more women and underrepresented minorities and launched the first combined comprehensive integrated hand program in Michigan. The section also established presences in Brighton, Chelsea and Midland, as well as a joint venture with Sparrow Health. The section now handles 4,000 surgeries a year and 35,000 clinic visits. 

Snyder-Warwick’s appointment took effect January 1.