Michael Van Vliet, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon (American Board of Plastic Surgery), and a board certified surgical intensivist (American Board of Surgery) is currently the Medical Director for the Van Vliet Plastic Surgery Center and the Burn and Reconstructive Center at Blake Hospital. Accepted into medical school right after high school graduation, Dr. Van Vliet was trained at some of America’s most selective private educational institutions, including the Ivy League Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the University of Southern California. He completed a fellowship training in burn surgery and critical care and has multiple certificates of added qualifications.
Michael Van Vliet, M.D., FACS, was born in New York, raised in northern New Jersey, and was accepted into medical school straight out of high school as part of a highly-competitive combined bachelor/M.D. program. Having completed undergraduate and medical doctorate programs with a unique emphasis on humanities and the underserved, Dr. Van Vliet spent a considerable portion of his training in developing nations. Dr. Van Vliet was called to the burn and reconstructive field during his residency at Los Angeles County Burn Center.
“On the first day, I observed the Medical Director, Dr. Warren Garner, managing critically ill patients. He would sneak off to the OR to release a burn contracture and apply basic plastic surgery principles to reconstruct the defect,” Dr. Van Vliet said. “I knew at that moment exactly what I wanted to do. I found an avenue to manage critically ill patients, to experience the joy of seeing them through, and performing plastic surgery.”
As the medical director for Burn and Reconstructive Center at Blake Hospital, his compassionate care begins with the most critically ill burn patients, as he manages their every need from the acute stage of their illnesses through reconstruction and beyond. He also treats patients with hand injuries, complex wounds, traumatic defects, congenital deformities and cancer. His training also provided the skill to manage all aesthetic concerns, including surgery of the body and breast.
In addition, Sarasota/Manatee based plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Van Vliet has a data driven protocol to treat all stages of hair loss including hair weakening, thinning, shedding, receding hair lines, and baldness.
Outside of work, Dr. Van Vliet spends time with his wife, Kelly, and their two children. The Van Vliet family fully embraces the Florida lifestyle, enjoying the beach, local restaurants, parks and playgrounds, and their favorite, Disney World.
Choosing the right person for any job can be difficult. Dr. Van Vliet has completed a 6-year residency at the prestigious Ivy League hospital Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and multiple fellowships in Los Angeles at the renowned University of Southern California. Following his residency training, he has over 10 years of experience as a plastic surgeon. He is attentive to the needs of his patients, believing that understanding and communication is essential to delivering the desired goal.
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