John A Persing MD

Irving and Silik Polayes Professor of Surgery (Plastic) and Professor of Neurosurgery; Section Chief

Biographical Info

Dr. John A. Persing is a Board Certified Neurological Surgeon and Plastic Surgeon, is passionate about improving the quality of life of children born with craniofacial defects and individuals affected by cancer. He believes that all people deserve a chance at a better life, regardless of economic and world boundaries.

Dr. Persing earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont in 1974. He has been President of the Plastic Surgery Foundation, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Association of Academic Chairmen of Plastic Surgery, the American Association of Pediatric Plastic Surgeons, among others, and served as Chair of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is currently the Vice President of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, and received the Clinician of the Year Award recently from this association.

Dr. Persing has a focus on improving the quality of patients’ lives regardless of whether this is a cosmetic or reconstructive concern. His clinical interests are craniofacial deformities, vascular malformations, and cosmetic surgery of the face and body.

Connecticut Magazine named Dr. Persing among the best in the state in its annual "Top Doctors" issue in the April 2011 edition.

Learn more about the Section Chief of Yale Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

International Activity

• Pro Bono Surgical Work
  Brazil (1986)
  Dr Persing performs pro bono surgical work, which makes up some 35 to 40 percent of his practice at the Yale Craniofacial Program. His passion to help has brought him to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, among other countries to provide treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Pro Bono Surgical Work
  Jordan (1986)
  Dr Persing performs pro bono surgical work, which makes up some 35 to 40 percent of his practice at the Yale Craniofacial Program. His passion to help has brought him to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, among other countries to provide treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Pro Bono Surgical Work
  Argentina (1986)
  Dr Persing performs pro bono surgical work, which makes up some 35 to 40 percent of his practice at the Yale Craniofacial Program. His passion to help has brought him to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, among other countries to provide treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Pro Bono Work
  Bolivia (1986)
  Dr Persing performs pro bono surgical work, which makes up some 35 to 40 percent of his practice at the Yale Craniofacial Program. His passion to help has brought him to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, among other countries to provide treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Pro Bono Work
  Brazil (1986)
  Dr Persing performs pro bono surgical work, which makes up some 35 to 40 percent of his practice at the Yale Craniofacial Program. His passion to help has brought him to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, among other countries to provide treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Pro Bono Work
  India (1986)
  Dr Persing performs pro bono surgical work, which makes up some 35 to 40 percent of his practice at the Yale Craniofacial Program. His passion to help has brought him to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, among other countries to provide treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Pro Bono Work
  Panama (1986)
  Dr Persing performs pro bono surgical work, which makes up some 35 to 40 percent of his practice at the Yale Craniofacial Program. His passion to help has brought him to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, among other countries to provide treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Pro Bono Work
  Peru (1986)
  Dr Persing performs pro bono surgical work, which makes up some 35 to 40 percent of his practice at the Yale Craniofacial Program. His passion to help has brought him to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, among other countries to provide treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Pro Bono work
  South Africa (1986)
  Dr Persing performs pro bono surgical work, which makes up some 35 to 40 percent of his practice at the Yale Craniofacial Program. His passion to help has brought him to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, among other countries to provide treatment for children with cleft lip and cleft palate.

Education & Training

M.D.

University of Vermont (1974)

Resident

Hospital of University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Plastic Surgery

Resident

Hospital of the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, General Surgery

Resident

Hospital of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Neurological Surgery

Registrar

Freedom Fields Hospital, Plymouth, England, Neurosurgery

Resident

Hospital of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Plastic Surgery

Research Fellow

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, Anatomy

Board Certification

Neurological Surgery, Board Certified  (1986)

Board Certification

Plastic Surgery, Board Certified  (1985)

Honors & Recognition

• Clinician of the Year
  American Association of Plastic Surgery (2010)
• President
  Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation (2010)
• Bern Spiesel Award
  ASMS American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (2010)
• Best Doctor
  Best Doctors List of America (2010)
• Best Doctor
  Best Doctors in New York Region (2010)
• Chair
  American Board of Plastic Surgery (2005)
• President
  Association Academic Chairmen of Plastic Surgery (2004)
• President
  ASMS American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (2003)
• President
  American Association Pediatric Plastic Surgery (1995)

Professional Service

• President, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
• President, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
• President, American Association of Chairmen of Plastic Surgery
• President, Plastic Surgery Foundation
• Chair, American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Chair, New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgery