Austin Y Ha, M.D.
Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2016 | Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, US, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 2022-2023 | Clinical Fellowship, Microsurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2016-2022 | Clinical Residency, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2024 | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
| 2021 | Texas Physician License |
Experience & Service
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Academic Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2022 | Alpha Omega Alpha, Washington University School of Medicine |
| 2021 | Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation Travel Scholarship |
| 2021 | Best Case Presentation, Oncologic Reconstruction Course (Nashville, TN) |
| 2019 | Annual Meeting Scholarship, American Society for Surgery of the Hand |
| 2018 | Best Presentation Award, Breast Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery The Meeting |
| 2014 | Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship |
| 2013 | National Institutes of Health T35 Research Grant (HL094308-03) |
| 2012 | Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society |
| 2011 | C.V. Starr Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurship |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Ha, A, Kim, LM, Zhang, Q, Yu, P. Long-Segment Tracheal Reconstruction or Replacement. Current Surgery Reports 14(1), 2026. e-Pub 2026.
- Elmorsi R, Lee Z, Bhoseale HR, Martinez-Sanchez L, Ha AY, Chambers MS, Chang EI, Largo RD, Hanasono MM, Yu P. Individualized Reconstructive Strategies for Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis: A 30-Year Experience. Plast Reconstr Surg. e-Pub 2026.
- Sletten, A, Kong, J, Pourak, K, Ha, A, Chen, Y, Myckatyn, TM. Anatomic Features of the Abdomen Predict Donor Site Complications in Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Publish Ahead of Print, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41739146.
- Chi D, Ha AY, Keane G, Tawaklna K, Skolnick GB, Snyder-Warwick AK. Extensive Primary Thinning of the Free Functional Gracilis Flap is Safe and Does Not Compromise Functional Outcomes in Dynamic Smile Reconstruction. J Reconstr Microsurg 42(4):278-285, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40523396.
- Clemens MW, Mitchell MP, Christensen JM, Olenczak JB, Shay PL, Hanwright P, Ha AY, Kapur S, Melancon A, Shuck JW. MRI-Conditional Tissue Expanders in Breast Reconstruction: Clinical Outcomes and Radiation Therapy Implications. Plast Reconstr Surg 156(2):225-233, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39946673.
- Tandon, D, Sletten, A, Ha, A, Skolnick, GB, Commean, P, Myckatyn, TM. A Reproducible Method for Donor Site Computed Tomography Measurements in Abdominally Based Autologous Breast Reconstruction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open 13(1):e6413, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39802277.
- Lee, Z, Ha, A, Shuck, JW, Chang, EI, Largo, RD, Hanasono, MM, Garvey, PB, Yu, P. Closure of the osteocutaneous fibula flap donor site with a tonearm (propeller) flap. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery 100:240-247, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39667177.
- Contrera KJ, Hassan AM, Shuck JW, Bobian M, Ha AY, Chang EI, Garvey PB, Roubaud MS, Lee ZH, Hanasono MM, Gross ND, Myers JN, Yu P, Largo RD. Outcomes for 160 Consecutive Lateral Arm Free Flaps for Head and Neck Reconstruction. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 170(3):747-757, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38037485.
- Chi D, Ha AY, Alotaibi F, Pripotnev S, Patterson BCM, Fongsri W, Gouda M, Kahn LC, Mackinnon SE. A Surgical Framework for the Management of Incomplete Axillary Nerve Injuries. J Reconstr Microsurg 39(8):616-626, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36746195.
- Stoehr JR, Vaca EE, Bacos JT, Applebaum SA, Lopez J, Chu Y, Gosain AK, Study Group ASCP. Changes in Subspecialty Interest of Plastic Surgery Residents With Progression of Training: Impact on Academic Attrition. J Craniofac Surg 34(4):1212-1216, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36872511.
- Chiang SN, Chi D, Yesantharao PS, Ha AY, Vuong L, Sachar RJ, Arhewoh R, Parikh RP, Masood MF, Fox IK. Optimal Timing of Multidisciplinary Management of Sternal Wound Complications. Ann Thorac Surg Short Rep 1(1):199-202, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 39790499.
- Tawaklna, K, Chi, D, Bruce, JG, Ha, A, Anolik, R. Lower extremity lymphedema and vascularized lymph node transfer recipient sites. Plastic and Aesthetic Research 2023, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Moritz, WR, Ha, A, Giatsidis, G, Tatman, LM, Berkes, M, McAndrew, C, Christensen, JM, Pet, MA. Spare-parts free flap reconstruction in polytrauma with limb amputation. Orthoplastic Surgery 10:47-56, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Chi D, Yesantharao PS, Vuong L, Sachar RJ, Chiang SN, Raman S, Ha AY, Parikh RP, Masood MF, Fox IK. Combined pectoralis and rectus abdominis flaps are associated with improved outcomes in sternal reconstruction. Surgery 172(6):1816-1822, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36243571.
- Moritz WR, Ha AY, Giatsidis G, Tatman LM, Berkes M, McAndrew C, Christensen JM, Pet MA. Spare-parts free flap reconstruction in polytrauma with limb amputation: pearls, pitfalls, and an illustrative case report. Orthoplastic Surgery 10:47-56, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Felder JM, Pripotnev S, Ducic I, Skladman R, Ha AY, Pet MA. Failed Targeted Muscle Reinnervation: Findings at Revision Surgery and Concepts for Success. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 10(4):e4229, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35402125.
- Peters BR, Ha AY, Moore AM, Tung TH. Nerve transfers for femoral nerve palsy: an updated approach and surgical technique. J Neurosurg 136(3):856-866, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34416726.
- Wood CB, Ha AY, Puram SV, Jackson RS, Pipkorn P. The two-handed template for planning fibular free flap reconstruction of the head and neck. Head Neck 44(1):296-299, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34726803.
- Parikh RP, Ha A, Tung T. Free Flap Reconstruction of Traumatic Pediatric Foot and Ankle Defects: An Analysis of Clinical and Functional Outcomes. J Reconstr Microsurg 37(9):783-790, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33853128.
- Applebaum SA, Stoehr JR, Bacos JT, Vaca EE, Lopez J, Chu Y, Gosain AK. Do Dedicated Research Years during Medical School Predict Academic Productivity during Residency?. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 9(10):e3849, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34815912.
- Crowe CS, Lopez J, Morrison SD, Drolet BC, Janis JE, Wellness RC, Group ES. The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Resident Education and Wellness: A National Survey of Plastic Surgery Residents. Plast Reconstr Surg 148(3):462e-474e, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34432706.
- Chi D, Ha AY, Keane G, Myckatyn TM. Discussion: A National Survey to Assess the Population's Perception of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma and Breast Implant Illness. Plast Reconstr Surg 147(4):804-805, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33776026.
- Keane G, Chi D, Ha AY, Myckatyn TM. En Bloc Capsulectomy for Breast Implant Illness: A Social Media Phenomenon?. Aesthet Surg J 41(4):448-459, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 32940709.
Book Chapters
- Ha, A, Grant, DW, Tenenbaum, MM, Myckatyn, TM. Implant rupture: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. In: Managing Common and Uncommon Complications of Aesthetic Breast Surgery. Springer International, 45-52, 2021.
- Grant, DW, Ha, A, Tenenbaum, MM, Myckatyn, TM. Principles for pedicle choice: avoiding vascular compromise. In: Managing Common and Uncommon Complications of Aesthetic Breast Surgery. Springer International, 147-154, 2021.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 23, 2026