Before becoming on of the best facial cosmetic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Athré started his academic career at the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors in Chemical Engineering. Dr. Athré has always been interested in the way things work as well as in creating things that work–both functionally and aesthetically. That’s why Dr. Athré relates plastic surgery to engineering. Both require analysis, attention to detail, and a precise plan of action. “Furthermore, one must always have a back-up game plan,” says Dr. Athré, who makes it a point to walk through each part of the plastic surgery process with his Houston patients – from analysis all the way to the treatment plan.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Houston facial plastic surgeon Dr. Athré went on to graduate in the top 10% of his medical school class at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School – one of the top medical schools in the country. He was awarded the Hudson-Penn Award, an annual award for the top surgical senior medical student. Following graduation from medical school, Dr. Athré completed his residency in Otolaryngology and Head/Neck Surgery at UT Southwestern – one of the busiest and best ranked hospitals in the United States.
After finishing his residency, Dr. Athré was awarded one of the fewer-than-40 positions in the country to do his fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery. Dr. Athré completed his fellowship in Atlanta, GA at the Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Center under the training of Dr. William Silver, one of the fathers of modern facial plastic surgery.
After completing his training, Dr. Athré started his own practice, Athré Facial Plastics, in his hometown of Houston, TX. Dr. Athré has authored numerous articles, written several book chapters, and has also lectured internationally.
Dr. Athré’s educational background clearly influences his detailed approach to surgery. His Houston facial plastic surgery patients appreciate the extensive knowledge, skills, and meticulous attention to detail that he brings to every surgical procedure. They also appreciate that their facial cosmetic surgeon is available 24/7 and that he takes the time to thoroughly educate them regarding every stage of their procedure. These are among the many reasons Dr. Athré is considered one of the best facial plastic surgeons in the Houston area.
“Aesthetic surgery”, states Dr. Athré, “makes more sense when you have seen reconstruction and trauma, and you can take care of all of these problems in a comprehensive manner.” Because of Dr. Athré’s background in reconstruction, he is best equipped to serve his cosmetic surgery patients. For excellent plastic surgery in Houston, turn to the facial plastic surgeon whom patients have consistently ranked as one of H-Magazine’s Top Docs, and RealSelf users have ranked as one of RealSelf’s Top 500 Docs.
Education
1998 – 2002 Southwestern Medical School, University of Texas Dallas, TX Doctor of Medicine GPA 3.9/4.0 Alpha Omega Alpha
1994 – 1998 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with Honors GPA 3.9/4.0 Engineering Honors Program Specialization in Biomedical Engineering
Postgraduate Training
07/2007 – 06/2008 Fellowship American Academy of Facial Plastics and Reconstruction Fellowship Director: William Silver, MD
2003 – 06/2007 University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Department of Otolaryngology Residency Chairman: Peter S. Roland, MD
2002 – 2003 University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Department of Surgery Internship Chairman: Robert Rege, MD
Hospital Affiliations
Memorial Hermann Southeast Staff, 2008 – presentHouston, TX
Memorial Hermann Northwest Staff, 2013 – presentHouston, TX
Memorial Hermann Northwest Outpatient Surgery Center Staff, 2013 – presentHouston, TX
Houston Physicians Hospital Staff, 2012 – presentWebster, TX
Board Certification
American Board of Otolaryngology (Head/Neck Surgery)American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Research and Publications
Guest Editor of Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2007 September;18(3)
Facial Filler Agents Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery2007 September;18(3):243-47 Athre, R
The Effect of a Peroxide Wound Care Regimen on Tensile Strength of Suture Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2007 July-August Athre, R, Park, J, and J Leach
The Four Suture Tip Rhinoplasty – A powerful tool for controlling tip dynamics Otolaryngology – Head/Neck Surgery. 2006 Aug;135 (2):227-31Leach, J and R Athre
Evaluation of fibula free flap donor site morbidity American Journal of Otolaryngology. 2006 Jan-Feb;27 (1):29-32.Garrett, A, Ducic, Y, Athre, RS, Motley, T, and Carpenter, B.
Hamartomas of the frontal sinus – Case presentation and review of literature American Journal of Otolaryngology. 2005 Nov-Dec; 26(6):419-21.Athre, R. and Ducic, Y.
The Split Orbicularis Myomucosal Flap for Lower Lip Reconstruction Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2005 Sep-Oct; 7(5):347-52.Ducic, Y., Athre, R., Cochran, C.S.
Osteosarcoma of the larynx – Case presentation and review of literature Laryngoscope. 2005 Jan; 115(1):74-7.Athre, R., Vories, A., Mudrovich, S., Ducic, Y.
Book Chapters
Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis – Surgical Management Raghu S. Athre and Bradley F. Marple Chapter 11 – Rhinologic and Sleep Apnea Surgical Techniques Stilianos E. Kountakis and Metin Onerci (editors)
Cellular Biology and the Immune System Raghu S. Athre and Bradley F. Marple Ballinger’s OtolaryngologyAccepted for publication
Research at the University of Texas at Austin College of Engineering
Economic feasibility analysis and characterization of flow through artificial heart valves. A long term economic analysis that forecasted the ideal type of artificial valve to be used in reconstruction of aortic stenosis as a function of projected lifetime. Also, flow parameters through artificial valves were measured on a bench top model of the human circulatory system to affect valve design.
Presentations
National Meetings
May 2006, Las Vegas Nevada International Symposium of Facial Plastics Athre, R., Park, J., and J. LeachEffect of Wound Care Regimen on Tensile Strength of SuturesIn-vitro pilot study of the effect of peroxide and water on the tensile strength of prolene, nylon and fast-absorbing gut
September 2005. Los Angeles, CA American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryLeach, J. and Athre, R.The Four Suture Tip Rhinoplasty – A Powerful Tool for Controlling Tip DynamicsExplains usage of a four suture baseball diamond suture to control tip dynamics, and results of 77 patients undergoing open rhinoplasty with the aforementioned technique.
Grand Rounds
March 2009, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX Rhinoplasty: The Basics and the Pearls
May 2007, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Aerodigestive Foreign Bodies and Caustic Ingestion
April 2006, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Frontal Sinus Fractures
December 2005, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Pediatric Facial Fractures
August 2005, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Head and Neck Manifestations of HIV Disease
May 2005, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Basic Concepts in Orthognathic Surgery
November 2004, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Vocal Rehabilitation Following Laryngectomy
May 2004, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Caustic Ingestion – What do I do?
January 2004, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX Basic Head and Neck Embryology for the ENT Surgeon
Presentations
October 2006, University of Texas at Austin Biomedical Engineering Department The Role of Biomedical Engineering in the Modern Practice of Surgery
September 2005, University of Texas at Austin Biomedical Engineering Department Engineering and Medicine & Bridging the Divide
September 2005, University of Texas at Austin Biomedical Engineering Department A Primer for Admission to Medical School & Personal Experiences
Awards
Work Experience
July 2005-September 2005 Callier Center for Communication Disorders Dallas, TX Provided otologic exams for children applying for state-funded hearing aids
1999-2000 UT Southwestern Student Activities Dallas, TX Part-time assistant for special events
Summer 1996 Mobil Chemical CompanyHouston, TX Process engineerDesigned waste water recycling and treatment system
Summer 1995 Mobil Chemical CompanyBeaumont, TX Process engineer Conducted hazardous operations study for one complete plant unit
Summer 1994 Exxon Upstream Technical Computing Company Houston, TX Support engineer
Provided hardware and software support for 150 users on DOS, Windows and UNIX platforms
Community Service
Nightlights Respite Care Program Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX
Habitat for HumanityAustin, TX and Dallas, TX