Ryan Heffelfinger MD FACS

Otolaryngology (ENT)•Philadelphia, PA

Head & Neck Microvascular Surgery, Head & Neck Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery

Professor, Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Jefferson Medical College-Thos Jefferson Univ

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925 Chestnut St., 7th FloorJefferson Facial PlasticsPhiladelphia, PA 19107
Phone+1 215-955-6760
Fax+1 215-955-7503

Summary

Ryan Heffelfinger, MD, is a Philadelphia-based otolaryngologist specializing in head and neck surgery, including microvascular and facial plastic surgery. He completed his medical education and otolaryngology training at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and a fellowship in facial plastic & reconstructive surgery at UCLA. He has been at Jefferson since 2006, where he currently is a Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and the Director of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Head and Neck Microvascular Surgery, and the Jefferson Facial Nerve Center. He is the Co-Director of Jefferson's facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship. His expertise includes facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, facial nerve disorders, cosmetic surgery of the face and neck, and microvascular surgery. Dr. Heffelfinger is also an accomplished author with several academic publications and has been recognized with awards such as Jefferson Medical College's Dean's Award for Excellence in Education.

Education & Training

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical CenterFellowship, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 2005 - 2006
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University/TJUHResidency, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 2001 - 2005
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University/TJUHInternship, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 2000 - 2001
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityClass of 2000
Yale UniversityB.S., Biology, 1994

Certifications & Licensure

CA State Medical License 2005 - Present
NJ State Medical License 2013 - 2027
PA State Medical License 2001 - 2026
American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Otolaryngology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Alexis I. DuPont High School Academic Hall of Fame 2012
Dean's Award for Excellence in Education Jefferson Medical College, 2011
CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification Allscripts Enterprise EHR, Allscripts, 2011-2013
S. MacCuen Smith Memorial Prize in Otology 2000
Alpha Omega Alpha 1995, 1999
Fellow (FAAO-HNS) American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Outcomes and Complications of 2-Stage Versus 3-Stage Paramedian Forehead Flaps.
W Jack Palmer, Dev Amin, Praneet Kaki, Matt Davis, Eric Fei
Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery. 2025-06-01
1 citations
Ergonomics in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Clinical Evaluation.
Neha Garg, Vivian Xu, Shreya Mandloi, Ayan Kumar, Megha Chandna
The Laryngoscope. 2025-04-01
Evaluating the Effects of Timing of Reconstruction of Facial Mohs Defects for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer on Complications Using Data from a Global Aggregate Health Care N...
Neha Garg, John R Vaile, Dev Amin, Vivian Xu, Adam McCann
Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. 2025-02-10

Journal Articles

Laser Treatment of Skin Texture and Fine Line Etching
Grunebaum LD, Murdock J, Hoosien GE, Heffelfinger RN, Lee WW, Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, 5/1/2011
Photoaging
Grunebaum JD, Heffelfinger RN, Current Problems in Dermatology, 1/1/2011
Management of traumatic facial nerve injuries
Greywoode JD, Ho HH, Artz GJ, Heffelfinger RN, Facial Plastic Surg, 12/1/2010
Contemporary management of facial soft tissue trauma (Guest editor)
Heffelfinger RN, Pribitkin EA, Facial Plast Surg, 12/1/2010
Assessment of Microvascular Anastomosis Training in Otolaryngology Residencies: Survey of US Program Directors
Luginbuhl AJ, Savino MR, Heffelfinger RN, Pribitkin EA, Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 11/1/2010
Peroperative prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in patients undergoing intranasal surgery
Nicholas BD, Bhargave G, Hatipoglu A, Heffelfinger R, Rosen M, Pribitkin EA, Med Sci Monit, 8/1/2010
Aesthetic Considerations in Mandibular Reconstruction
Heffelfinger RN, Malhotra PS, Fishman MA, Facial Plastic Surgery, 1/1/2008
Use of image guidance tracking during balloon catheter dilation of sinus ostia
Leventhal D, Heffelfinger RN, Rosen M, Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 8/1/2007
A Simplified Approach to Midface Aging
Heffelfinger RN, Rawnsey J, Blackwell K, Keller GS, Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 1/1/2007
The Evolving Etiology of Bilateral Vocal Fold Immobility
Feehery JM, Pribitkin EA, Heffelfinger RN, LaCombe VG, Lee D, Lowry LD, Keane WM, Sataloff RT, Journal of Voice, 3/1/2003
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Books/Book Chapters

Multidisciplinary Head & Neck Reconstruction - A Defect Oriented Approach.
Chapter: Complications of Free Tissue Transfer in Head and Neck Reconstruction.
Blackwell K, Heffelfinger RNEditors: ML Urken.Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Abstracts/Posters

Beginner's Training in Microvascular Surgery: From Simple Suturing Exercises to Practicing Microvascular Anastomosis in the Rat.
Gordin E, Daniero J, Heffelfinger RN, the Annual Meeting of the AAFPRS, Boston, MA, 9/1/2010

Lectures

Facial Injuries in Sport.
6/18/2013
Current Trends in Facelift Surgery.
Philadelphia, PA - 4/20/2013
W-plasty and Z-plasty.
Newark, NJ - 10/27/2012
Difficult Facelifts Made Easy: The Early Career Patient.
Atlanta, GA - 3/28/2012
Data Asset Management: How to Manage All of Those Photographs.
Atlanta, GA - 3/28/2012
How to Economically Create a Photo Studio.
Atlanta, GA - 3/28/2012
Starting a Website.
Atlanta, GA - 3/28/2012
Fractional CO2 Laser Conditions You Can Treat.
Atlanta, GA - 3/28/2012
Ultrasonic Rhinoplasty: Refinements in Technique after 150 Patients.
Atlanta, GA - 3/28/2012
The Role of IPL in Your Practice.
Atlanta, GA - 3/28/2012
Tip Position: How I Set Rotation and Projection.
Philadelphia, PA - 3/9/2012
Nasal Analysis and Surface Anatomy.
Philadelphia, PA - 3/9/2012
Subcutaneous vs. intramuscular administration of botulinum toxin-A: A split-face randomized investigation.
San Diego, CA - 1/1/2012
Novel Irradiated Axial Rotational Flap Model in the Rodent.
San Francisco, CA - 9/1/2011
Free Tissue Transfer for Cranio-Orbitofacial Defects.
San Francisco, CA - 9/1/2011
Update in Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Injectible Treatments for the Otolaryngologist: Focus on Neurotoxins and Fillers.
San Francisco, CA - 9/1/2011
Ablative Carbon Dioxide Fractional Resurfacing: Maximizing Results with a Minimally Invasive Tool.
San Francisco, CA - 9/1/2011
Laser Treatment of Scars.
9/1/2011
Can One Flap Do It All? The Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap.
5/20/2011
Surgical Rejuvenation of the Lower Face.
Philadelphia, PA - 5/7/2011
Facial Injuries in Athletes.
5/3/2011
Effectiveness of IPL.
Atlanta, GA - 3/23/2011
Dealing with Pigmentation Problems, Scarring, and Erythema after Laser Therapy.
Atlanta, GA - 3/23/2011
Photographic Tips and Pearl that Every Surgeon Should Know.
Atlanta, GA - 3/23/2011
Data Acquisition and How to Manage All of Those Photographs.
Atlanta, GA - 3/23/2011
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