Sacramento Plastic Surgeon – Debra J. Johnson, M.D.
Debra J. Johnson, M.D. joined The Plastic Surgery Center in 1989 as the first female plastic surgeon in Sacramento. Dr. Johnson received both her M.D. degree and her plastic surgery training at Stanford University. She took additional training at Clinica Planas in Barcelona, and the Institut Francais de la Main in Paris.
Dr. Johnson is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and in 2009 was elected by her peers to serve as President of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. She is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Johnson has served as Chief of Surgery for the Sutter Community Hospitals, and is Co-Director of the Sutter Cleft Lip and Palate Panel. Dr. Johnson considers herself a general plastic surgeon, enjoying the wide variety of problems and procedures the field offers. However, she does take a special interest in cosmetic and breast surgery, including postmastectomy reconstruction.
Throughout her career, Dr. Johnson has volunteered for surgical missions overseas. She spends four weeks each year in other parts of the world, providing her surgical skills to patients who otherwise would never have reconstructive surgery. She also teaches local doctors how to perform these procedures, so that patients may have more access to care. Read more »
Dr. Johnson has been selected to receive the American College of Surgeons/American Society of Plastic Surgeons Health Policy Scholarship for the year 2010. The scholarship will enable Dr. Johnson to attend the "Leadership Program in Health Policy and Management" offered at Brandeis University's Heller School of Social Policy in June.
During this weeklong symposium, Dr. Johnson will connect with 35 other surgical leaders and attend lectures focusing on how the changing healthcare environment will affect the practice of medicine and our patients. Dr. Johnson is honored to have received this scholarship, and knows the experience will enhance her ability to analyze health reform, and be a stronger advocate for patients' rights.
Dr. Johnson currently serves as Chairman of the Council on State Affairs for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This Council, with representatives from all 50 states, meets regularly to discuss and respond to legislative and regulatory issues affecting our patients. As Chairman, Dr. Johnson also sits on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, representing the Council.
In her role as Past President of the California Sociey of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS), Dr. Johnson advances the society's mission to educate the public on the benefits and risks of plastic surgery. With over 500 members, the CSPS has been a vigorous advocate on behalf of patient safety, instigating legislation to make outpatient surgery facilities safer. CSPS has also worked to protect patients from false and deceptive advertising. Dr. Johnson serves as co-Chair of the Legislative Committee of the CSPS. The organization is sponsoring legislation that will require all healthcare providers to disclose to patients their level of education and training, including whether they are Board-certified. Thus, those doctors who portray themselves as "plastic surgeons" will be required to tell the patient if they are actually certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The CSPS feels that this disclosure will allow patients to make better-informed choices about who provides them with services.
CSPS is also sponsoring legislation that will require all health insurance plans to cover the dental and orthodontic care of children born with facial deformities. Although plastic surgeons provide the reconstructive surgical care of these patients, they also often have abnormalities of the teeth and jaws that require specialized dentistry. Currently, parents often have to bear the burden of these costs themselves. If the parents can't afford the care, the child goes without, and lives a life with poorly fitting teeth that can not only look unattractive, but can hamper speech and cause pain due to an improper bite.
For more information on the activities of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons and Dr. Johnson's role with the organization, please access their Web site at www.californiaplasticsurgeons.org.
Non-surgical infant ear correction is now possible with the EarWell™ system. Dr. Johnson uses the EarWell system for infants with cup ears, lop ears, or excessively projecting ears ("Dumbo" ears) This revolutionary ear molding system is the first of its kind and Dr. Johnson is experienced in using it successfully.
Dr. Johnson and her husband, Mario Gutierrez, make their home in Curtis Park. They have two wonderful children, Gabriela and Pablo.
Call 916-569-0861 now to learn more about medical spa services, or 916-929-1833 for facial rejuvenation and cosmetic surgery procedures for both men and women, such as liposuction. Sacramento plastic surgeons at The Skin Care Center and at The Plastic Surgery Center make enhancing the body, mind and spirit easy. With offices on Scripps Drive in Sacramento and on Douglas Boulevard in Roseville, looking and feeling your best is convenient as well.
Be sure to reserve your spot at a Free Seminar hosted by The Plastic Surgery Center in Sacramento and get expert insight into such subjects as breast augmentation and tummy tucks. Or, simply schedule a consultation with Dr. Johnson today.
