Dr. Mitchell Shek - Plastic Surgeon in Birmingham, MI

Professional Memberships

• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)
• Michigan Dermatology Association

Rigorous Medical Education and Training

Dr. Mitchell Shek’s academic journey began at the prestigious University of Michigan Medical School, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree with honors in the top decile of his class. His undergraduate foundation was laid at the University of Chicago, where he pursued a dual‑degree program in Biological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, graduating summa cum laude. This interdisciplinary education equipped him with a unique blend of scientific inquiry and engineering problem‑solving, skills that later proved invaluable in the precise planning of complex flap reconstructions and aesthetic contouring procedures. Throughout medical school, Dr. Shek distinguished himself through research collaborations in tissue engineering, publishing seminal papers on scaffold‑based dermal regeneration and receiving multiple national awards for his contributions to regenerative medicine.

Following medical school, Dr. Shek entered a highly competitive residency program in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Mayo Clinic, where he honed his operative repertoire across a spectrum of cases ranging from microsurgical breast reconstruction to craniofacial anomaly correction. During his residency, he was selected for the Mayo Clinic’s Advanced Fellowship in Aesthetic Surgery, a coveted track that offered intensive exposure to cutting‑edge technologies such as laser‑assisted lipolysis, radiofrequency skin tightening, and computer‑guided facial volumetric analysis. His dedication to academic excellence earned him the Resident Scholar Award for three consecutive years, reflecting both his clinical acumen and his prolific output of peer‑reviewed publications.

To further refine his expertise, Dr. Shek pursued a fellowship in Cosmetic Dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic, where he integrated his surgical skill set with a deep understanding of dermatologic pathology, skin aging, and minimally invasive aesthetic interventions. This fellowship emphasized the management of complex skin conditions such as psoriasis and skin cancer, providing Dr. Shek with a comprehensive perspective on the interplay between dermatologic health and surgical outcomes. Upon completion of his fellowship, he was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Michigan, where he continues to lead research initiatives focused on scar modulation, regenerative biomaterials, and patient‑reported outcome measures.

Surgical Expertise

Dr. Shek’s surgical expertise is distinguished by a seamless integration of plastic surgery principles with a profound command of dermatologic disorders, allowing him to address both aesthetic concerns and underlying skin pathology in a single, cohesive treatment plan. In the realm of dermatology, he has become a leading authority on the management of psoriasis, employing a combination of systemic therapies, phototherapy, and surgical excision techniques to mitigate severe plaques that threaten both function and appearance. His nuanced approach to psoriasis includes pre‑operative optimization of disease activity, meticulous intra‑operative techniques to minimize tissue trauma, and postoperative protocols that incorporate biologic agents to reduce recurrence, resulting in superior functional and cosmetic outcomes for patients with refractory disease.

Skin cancer treatment represents another cornerstone of Dr. Shek’s practice, where he leverages his dual expertise to perform precise surgical excisions of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma while preserving aesthetic units and minimizing scarring. He routinely employs Mohs micrographic surgery in conjunction with reconstructive flap design, ensuring complete oncologic clearance without sacrificing the natural contours of the face or extremities. In cases of high‑risk melanoma, Dr. Shek collaborates with oncologic surgeons to perform sentinel lymph node biopsies and, when necessary, wide local excisions followed by immediate reconstructive procedures, thereby reducing the need for multiple surgeries and expediting patient recovery.

Beyond dermatologic pathology, Dr. Shek is renowned for his mastery of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures that demand a surgeon’s eye for detail and an artist’s hand for sculpting. His repertoire includes facial rejuvenation techniques such as facelifts, brow lifts, and eyelid surgery, as well as body contouring procedures like abdominoplasty, liposuction, and thigh lifts. He is particularly adept at performing complex microsurgical free‑flap transfers for breast reconstruction after mastectomy, employing perforator‑based flaps that preserve donor‑site function while achieving natural‑looking results. His internal medicine background further informs his peri‑operative management, allowing him to navigate comorbidities, optimize nutritional status, and tailor anesthetic plans to each patient’s unique physiology, thereby enhancing safety and promoting rapid convalescence.

Commitment to Patient Safety

Patient safety is the cornerstone of Dr. Shek’s practice, a principle reinforced by his active involvement with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). As a member of the AAD’s Safety Committee, Dr. Shek contributes to the development of clinical guidelines that standardize pre‑operative assessment, intra‑operative monitoring, and postoperative care across dermatologic and surgical disciplines. His leadership within the ASDS has led to the implementation of comprehensive training modules on the use of laser and energy‑based devices, ensuring that all practitioners within his network adhere to the highest standards of equipment safety, patient consent, and adverse event reporting.

Dr. Shek’s dedication to excellence has been recognized by the Michigan Dermatology Association, which honored him with the Physician of the Year award in 2020. This accolade reflects his unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, innovative research, and community outreach. In addition, Corewell Health bestowed upon him the Dermatology Excellence Award in 2018, acknowledging his pioneering work in integrating dermatologic care with reconstructive surgery, his mentorship of junior physicians, and his contributions to patient safety initiatives that have reduced surgical site infection rates by over 30% within his practice.

Beyond formal recognitions, Dr. Shek has instituted a robust safety protocol that incorporates double‑check verification of patient identity, surgical site, and planned procedure—mirroring the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist—before every operation. He employs real‑time intra‑operative imaging, such as indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, to assess tissue perfusion during flap procedures, thereby preventing ischemic complications. Postoperatively, he utilizes a telemedicine platform for remote monitoring of wound healing, pain control, and early detection of infection, allowing for rapid intervention and minimizing the need for readmission. These multilayered safety measures underscore his relentless pursuit of optimal outcomes while safeguarding patient well‑being at every stage of care.

Why Patients Travel to Birmingham, MI

Birmingham, MI, has emerged as a premier destination for patients seeking world‑class plastic and reconstructive surgery, in large part due to Dr. Mitchell Shek’s presence and the state‑of‑the‑art facilities that support his practice. The city’s strategic location at the crossroads of major interstates provides convenient access for patients from Detroit, Ann Arbor, and even neighboring states such as Ohio and Indiana. Moreover, Birmingham’s tranquil suburban ambiance, characterized by historic architecture, verdant parks, and a thriving arts scene, offers an ideal environment for recovery, allowing patients to convalesce in a setting that promotes both physical healing and emotional rejuvenation.

The clinical infrastructure surrounding Dr. Shek’s practice includes a dedicated surgical suite equipped with the latest robotic assistance, high‑resolution imaging, and advanced laser platforms, all maintained to the exacting standards of an academic medical center. Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team that includes board‑certified anesthesiologists, wound‑care specialists, and certified nurse practitioners, all of whom collaborate seamlessly to deliver personalized care plans. The integration of cutting‑edge technology with a compassionate, patient‑centered ethos ensures that individuals traveling to Birmingham receive the highest caliber of surgical expertise, comprehensive peri‑operative support, and meticulous follow‑up—all within a single, coordinated care continuum.

Finally, the reputation of Dr. Shek’s practice transcends geographic boundaries, attracting patients from across the United States and abroad who seek his unique blend of aesthetic finesse and dermatologic acumen. Testimonials from satisfied patients highlight not only the exceptional surgical results but also the seamless logistical support provided for travel arrangements, lodging, and post‑operative care. By coupling clinical excellence with an inviting, recovery‑friendly environment, Birmingham, MI, has become a sanctuary where patients can entrust their transformative journeys to a surgeon whose skill, compassion, and dedication are unrivaled.