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Elisabeth K. Beahm, M.D., FACS

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Clinical Associate Professor, Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Elisabeth Beahm, M.D., underwent preliminary training in general surgery and completed training in both Head and Neck Surgery and Plastic Surgery.  She also undertook two separate fellowships, one in microsurgical reconstruction at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, as well as an aesthetic and reconstructive fellowship in facial surgery in Chicago.  She is currently a Professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, where she is the Director of Resident Education.

Research Interests

Dr. Beahm has a longitudinal commitment to basic science research of both adipose (fat) tissue and bone. Her clinical research has focused on developing novel strategies, refining technical approaches, and critically assessing outcomes in reconstructive surgery of the breast and face, toward maximizing form and function. 

Office Address

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
1400 Pressler Street
Unit Number: 1488
Houston, TX 77030
Room Number: FCT19.5036
Phone: (713) 794-1247
Fax: (713) 794-5492

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1987 Chicago Medical School, Chicago, IL, MD, Medicine

Postgraduate Training

7/1996-6/1997 Fellowship, Facial Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Gary C. Burget, MD, FACS, Chicago, IL, GC Burget
1995-1996 Fellowship, Microvascular Reconstruction, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
1993-1995 Residency, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL
1990-1993 Residency, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL
1988-1990 Residency, General Surgery, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
1987-1988 Internship, Cedars Sinai UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Board Certifications

9/1999 American Board of Plastic Surgery

Experience/Service

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Co-Director, TRAMCEL, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 11/2010-present
Director, ACB Plastic Surgery Clinic, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 4/2005-11/2010
Director, Resident Education, Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1/2001-11/2010

Institutional Committee Activities

Member, Multidisciplinary Breast Planning Clinic, 2007-present
Member, Executive Management Team Plastic Surgery, 2005-present

Honors and Awards

2011 Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc
2009 America's Top Surgeons, SLD Industries
2008 America's Top Surgeons, SLD Industries
2008 Woman of the Year - 2008, American Biographical Institute, Inc.
2007 Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc
2006 America's Top Surgeons, SLD Industries
2006 Educator of the Month, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
2004 Leonard R. Rubin AAPS Award Paper, American Association of Plastic Surgeons
2003 Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc
1987 Highest Overall Standing in the Clinical Sciences, Chicago Medical School
1987 Janet M. Glasco Memorial Award (female student with highest overall rank, Chicago Medical School
1986 Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

Professional Memberships

American Association of Plastic Surgeons
Active Fellow, 2006-present
American Board of Plastic Surgeons
Guest Oral Board Examiner, 2007-2009
American College of Surgeons
Member, 2003-present
American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery
Executive Council, Elected Senior Member at Large, 2009-present
Chairperson, Bylaws Committee, 2007-2009
Executive Council, Elected Junior Member at Large, 2007-2009
Chairperson, Residents & Fellows Program, 2006-2007
Master Series Chairperson, 2006-2007
Member, Program Committee, 2004-2007
Member, 2002-present
American Society for Reconstructive Transplantation (ASRT)
Founding Member, 7/2008-present
Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, 7/2008-present
American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
Member, 2002-present
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Member, 2002-present
Harris County Medical Society, Houston, TX
Member, 2001-present
Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons, Houston, TX
President, 2005-2006
Vice President, 2004-2005
Treasurer, 2003-2004
Secretary, 2002-2003
Member, 2001-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Lee J, Kawale M, Merchant FA, Weston J, Fingeret MC, Ladewig D, Reece GP, Crosby MA, Beahm EK, Markey MK. Validation of Stereophotogrammetry of the Human Torso. Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research 5:15-25, 2/2011.
2. Kim MS, Burgess AJ, Waters AJ, Reece GP, Beahm EK, Crosby MA, Basen-Engquist KM, Markey MK. A pilot study on using eye-tracking to understand assessment of surgical outcomes from clinical photography. Journal of Digital Imaging. e-Pub 9/2010.
3. Dabeer M, Kim E, Reece GP, Merchant F, Crosby MA, Beahm EK, Markey MK. Automated calculation of symmetry measure on clinical photographs. J Eval Clin Pract. e-Pub 7/13/2010. PMID: 20630015.
4. Kim MS, Rodney WN, Reece GP, Beahm EK, Crosby MA, Markey MK. Quantifying the aesthetic outcomes of breast cancer treatment: assessment of surgical scars from clinical photographs. J Eval Clin Pract. e-Pub 7/13/2010. PMID: 20630016.
5. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Discussion. Patient satisfaction with mastectomy breast reconstruction: a comparative evaluation of DIEP, TRAM, latissimus flap, and implant techniques. Plast Reconstr Surg 125(6):1596-8, 6/2010. PMID: 20517081.
6. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Issues, considerations, and trends in bilateral breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 124(4):1064-1076, 10/2009. PMID: 19346996.
7. Patrick, Jr. CW, Uthamanthil R, Beahm EK, Frye C. Animal models for adipose tissue engineering. Tissue Engineering 14(2):167-78, 6/2008.
8. Walton RL, Cohn A, Beahm EK. Epidermal overgrafting improves coloration in remote flaps and grafts applied to the face for reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 121(5):1606-1613, 5/2008.
9. Kim MS, Sbalchiero JC, Reece GP, Miller MJ, Beahm EK, Markey MK. Assessment of breast aesthetics. Plast Reconstr Surg 121(4):186e-94e, 4/2008.
10. Batista LI, Lu KH, Beahm EK, Arun BK, Bodurka DC, Meric-Bernstam F. Coordinated Prophylactic Surgical Management for Women with Hereditary Breast-Ovarian Cancer Syndrome. BMC Cancer 8(1):101, 1/1/2008. e-Pub 4/2008. PMID: 18410690.
11. Beahm EK, Walton RL. The Mentor Core Study on Silicone Memory Gel. [Discussion]. Plast Reconstr Surg 120(7):30S-32S, 12/2007.
12. Beahm EK, Walton RL. The efficacy of bilateral lower abdominal free flaps for unilateral breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 120(1):41-54, 7/2007.
13. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Revision in autologous breast reconstruction: principles and approach. Clin Plast Surg 34(1):139-62; abstract vii-viii, 1/2007. PMID: 17307078.
14. Beahm EK, Walton RL, Meric-Bernstam. Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction using a microvascular breast sharing technique. [Discussion]. Plast Reconstr Surg 118(6):1317-1319, 11/2006.
15. Beahm EK, Walton RL, Chang DW. Breast reconstruction in the obese patient. Plast Reconstr Surg 118 Supplement(4):15-16, 9/2006.
16. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Sensibility following innervated free TRAM flap breast reconstruction. [Discussion]. Plast Reconstr Surg 117(7):2128-2130, 6/2006.
17. Kim MS, Reece GP, Beahm EK, Miller MJ, Neely Atkinson E, Markey MK. Objective assessment of aesthetic outcomes of breast cancer treatment: Measuring ptosis from clinical photographs. Comput Biol Med, 1/2006. PMID: 16438948.
18. Beahm EK. Bilateral breast reconstruction: Indications, limitations, outcomes. Proceedings of the Third Congress of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 10/2005.
19. Beahm EK, Walton RL. What is done when free flaps fail? Plast Surg Forum 116(3):116 Supplement, 9/2005.
20. Walton RL, Burget GC, Beahm EK. Microsurgical reconstruction of the nasal lining. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:1813-29, 6/2005. PMID: 15923823.
21. Walton RL, Wu LC, Beahm EK. Salvage of infected cartilage grafts for nasal reconstruction with a through-and-through irrigation system. Ann Plast Surg 54:445-9, 4/2005. PMID: 15785289.
22. Beahm EK, Walton RL, Burget GC. Free first dorsal metacarpal artery flap for nasal lining. Microsurgery 25:551-5, 2005. PMID: 16184527.
23. Kim JY, Chang DW, Temple C, Beahm EK, Robb GL. Free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap breast reconstruction in patients with prior abdominal suction-assisted lipectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg 113:28e-31e, 3/2004. PMID: 15536307.
24. Walton RL, Beahm EK, Wu L. De novo adipose formation in a vascularized engineered construct. Microsurgery 24:378-84, 2004. PMID: 15378584.
25. Walton RL, Beahm EK. Auricular reconstruction for microtia: Part II. Surgical techniques. Plast Reconstr Surg 110:234-49; quiz 250-1, 387, 7/2002. PMID: 12087261.
26. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Auricular reconstruction for microtia: part I. Anatomy, embryology, and clinical evaluation. Plast Reconstr Surg 109:2473-82; quiz following 2482, 6/2002. PMID: 12045579.
27. Ng RL, Beahm E, Clayman GL, Hassenbusch SJ, Miller MJ. Simultaneous reconstruction of the posterior pharyngeal wall and cervical spine with a free vascularized fibula osteocutaneous flap. Plast Reconstr Surg 109:1361-5, 4/2002. PMID: 11964992.
28. Kuerer HM, Beahm EK, Swisher SG, Ross MI. Surgery for inoperable breast cancer. Am J Surg 183:160-1, 2/2002. PMID: 11918881.
29. Thomson RC, Mikos AG, Beahm E, Lemon JC, Satterfield WC, Aufdemorte TB, Miller MJ. Guided tissue fabrication from periosteum using preformed biodegradable polymer scaffolds. Biomaterials 20(21):2007-18, 11/1999. PMID: 10535812.
30. Beahm Walton R. The parenchymal pedicle technique for reduction mammaplasty. Plastic Surg Forum 68th Scientific Meeting ASPS/PSEF/ASMS XXII 72:136-138, 1999.
31. Walton RL, Beahm EK, Brown RE, Upton J, Reinke K, Fudem G, Banis J, Davidson J, Dabb R, Kalimuthu R, Kitzmiller WJ, Gottlieb LJ, Buncke HJ. Microsurgical replantation of the lip: a multi-institutional experience. Plast Reconstr Surg 102(2):358-68, 8/1998. PMID: 9703070.

Invited Articles
1. Walton RL, Beahm EK. Free tissue transfer in the elderly: Incidence of perioperative complications following microsurgical reconstruction of 197 septuagenarians and octogenarians. [Discussion]. Plast Reconstr Surg 116(6):1669-1671, 11/2005.

Editorials
1. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Advances in reconstruction after mastectomy. Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly 16(2):126-131, 2005.
2. Beahm EK. Salvage of infected expander prostheses in breast reconstruction. Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly 14(4):362-363, 2004.
3. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Fat engineering: The future of breast reconstruction? Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly 12(2):144-147, 2001.
Other Articles
1. Crosby M, Beahm EK. Commentary on: Autologous Fat Grafting: A technique for stabilization of the microvascular pedicle in DIEP flap reconstruction. Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly 20(2), 2009.
2. Villa M, Beahm EK. The Brava External Tissue Expander: Is Breast Enlargement Without Surgery a Reality? Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly 19(2), 7/2008.

Abstracts
1. Kawale M, Reece G, Crosby M, Beahm E, Markey M, Merchant F. Automated Nipple Identification in Three-Dimensional Scans of Torso. Biomedical Engineering Society 2009 Annual Fall Scientific Meeting, 10/2009.
2. EK Beahm, RL Walton. Advances in Autologus Breast Reconstruction: A New Paradigm after Mastectomy. Proceedings of the 3rd National Congress on Reconstructive Microsurgery Instanbul, Turkey, 11/2007.
3. Beahm EK, Walton RL, Chang DW. Breast Reconstruction in the obese patient. Proceedings of the ASPS / PSEF / ASMS 75th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Plastic Surgery 2006, San Francisco, California, 10/2006.
4. Beahm EK. Bilateral breast reconstruction: Indications, limitations, outcomes. Proceedings of the Third Congress of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 10/2005.
5. Beahm EK, Walton RL. What is done when free flaps fail?. Proceedings of the ASPS / PSEF / ASMS 74th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Plastic Surgery, Chicago, Illinois, 9/2005.
6. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Free TRAM flaps for breast reconstruction in patients with collagen vascular disease. 2005 American Society for Reconstructive Surgery 20th Annual Meeting, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 2/2005.
7. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Bilateral lower abdominal free flaps for unilateral breast reconstruction. 2005 American Society for Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 1/2005.

Book Chapters
1. Walton RL, Beahm EK. Auricular Reconstruction for Microtia. In: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Ed(s) Sieminow M. Springer: New York. In Press.
2. Fearmonti RM, Beahm EK, Pollock R E, Hunt KK. Chapter 68: Surgical Procedures for Advanced Local and Regional malignancies of the Breast. In: Breast Surgical Oncology. Ed(s) Kuerer HM. In Press.
3. Beahm EK, Walton, RL. Current Concepts in Nasal Reconstruction. In: Current Head and Neck Reconstruction. Ed(s) P Yu. People's Medical Publishing House: Beijing, China. In Press.
4. Beahm EK, Hanasono M, Shenaq S. Iliac Flap. In: Atlas of Flaps and Microsurgical Techniques. Ed(s) FC Wei, S Mardini. Elsevier: Edinburgh. In Press.
5. Walton RL, Burget GC, Beahm EK. Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Nasal Platform and Lining. In: Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Head and Neck. Ed(s) PC Neligan, FC Wei. Quality Medical Publishing: St. Louis. In Press.
6. Beahm EK, Walton, RL. Issues, Considerations, and Outcomes in Bilateral Breast Reconstruction. In: Surgery of the Breast: Principles and Art, 3rd Edition. 1, 3rd. Ed(s) SL Spear. Lippincott William & Wilkins, 838-854, 2011.
7. Beahm EK. Breast Conserving Therapy: Decision-Making and Anticipating the Unfavorable Aesthetic Result. In: Partial Breast Reconstruction, Techniques in Oncoplastic Surgery. Ed(s) A Losken, M Hamdi. Quality Medical Publishing: St. Louis, Missouri, 101-126, 2009.
8. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Nasal Reconstruction. In: Procedures in Reconstructive Surgery Series (PRSS). Ed(s) C Butler. Elsevier: London, 73-126, 2009.
9. Beahm EK. Timing and Key Considerations in Reconstruction for Breast Conserving Therapy. In: Oncoplastic Surgery of the Breast. 1. Ed(s) M Nahabedian. Elsevier: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 23-45, 2009.
10. Beahm EK, Walton RL. Concepts in Nasal Reconstruction. In: Principles of Cancer Reconstructive Surgery. Ed(s) C Butler, N Fine. Springer: New York, 161-189, 2008.
11. Boughey JC, Beahm EK, Hunt KK. Oncoplastic Surgery for Breast Cancer. In: Textbook of Surgical Oncology. Taylor Francis: London and New York, 127-146, 2007.
12. Burget GC, Burget DE Jr, Beahm EK, Walton RL. Reoperative Surgery for Nasal Reconstruction. In: Reoperative Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. Ed(s) JC Grotting. Quality Medical Publishing: St. Louis, 705-757, 2007.
13. Beahm EK, Walton RL, Lohman RF. Vascular Insufficiency of the Lower Extremity: Lymphatic, Venous, and Arterial. In: Plastic Surgery. 6, 2nd. Ed(s) SJ Mathes. Saunders Elsevier Publishers, 1455-1492, 2006.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Repair of soft tissue defects with engineered fat grafts
Funding Source: National Institute of Health
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 4/2009 - 12/2011
 
Title: Assessment of adipose tissue engineering to restore the postmastectomy breast
Funding Source: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Patrick CW
Duration: 2005 - 2007
 
Title: Tissue engineered adipose for breast reconstruction following mastectomy
Funding Source: U.S. Army Medical Research & Material Command DOD Breast Cancer Research Grant
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Patrick CW
Duration: 9/1/1999 - 1/1/2003
 
Title: Test bed system for adipose tissue engineering
Funding Source: NASA, BIOTECH
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Patrick CW

Last updated: 3/21/2011