Christine Hsu Rohde Named Chief of Plastic Surgery

Surgeon Christine Hsu Rohde, MD, MPH

Christine Hsu Rohde

Christine Hsu Rohde, MD, a highly skilled clinician, researcher, and teacher of plastic and reconstructive surgery, has been named chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Rohde began serving as division chief on May 1, 2021, succeeding Robert Grant, MD, who began his tenure as division chief in 2006.

Rohde is the first Asian-American female plastic surgery chief in the United States. She also is professor of surgery, chief of microvascular services, and vice chair for faculty development and diversity in the Department of Surgery at VP&S.

“Dr. Rohde is an outstanding plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has been extremely effective as my Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Diversity since 2017. The Division of Plastic Surgery will thrive under her direction,” says Craig Smith, MD, chair of the Department of Surgery and surgeon in chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

As a plastic surgeon, Rohde performs the full range of plastic reconstructive and aesthetic procedures, specializing in microsurgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, and breast, trauma, and cancer reconstruction.

After obtaining her medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 2000, she trained in general surgery at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, followed by plastic and reconstructive surgery training at Montefiore Medical Center and a microsurgical fellowship at New York University Medical School.

Her research focuses primarily on outcomes of plastic surgical interventions, particularly related to breast cancer reconstruction and post-surgical care. Rohde has a master’s in public health focusing on comparative effectiveness research from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and has received NIH and other national grants for her research.

Rohde is chair of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Clinical Research Committee and serves on the boards of multiple national and international plastic surgery societies. She is also involved with several initiatives for the promotion of women in surgery and medicine.

Rohde has received numerous awards and honors and is a frequently requested speaker for scientific presentations and public media.

Columbia’s Division of Plastic Surgery is among the nation’s top programs for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and is at the forefront of clinical and laboratory research in plastic surgery.

“I am very appreciative of Dr. Grant’s many years of service to the residency program and plastic surgery division. He has been a steady hand in leadership, and I am honored to succeed him as chief. I am looking forward to working with the best colleagues in the world to continue to grow the Division of Plastic Surgery and increase our regional and national presence,” Rohde says.