Michael Zenn, MD, FACS, MBA
Internationally renowned plastic surgeon Michael Zenn M.D. is the director of Zenn Plastic Surgery in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dr. Zenn’s Ivy League education and training includes a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania (Phi Beta Kappa) and an M.D. from Cornell University (Alpha Omega Alpha). Following medical school, he completed eight years of surgical training. Following a rigorous general surgery residency at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York, Dr. Zenn is proud to have graduated from Harvard’s Plastic Surgery Residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. Upon completion of the Harvard residency, Dr. Zenn furthered his training with a prestigious fellowship in facial and breast plastic surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. During his time in New York and Boston, he trained with some of the most distinguished plastic surgeons in the country.
Dr. Zenn is board certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is currently an examiner for the Board, administering oral boards to board eligible plastic surgeons annually.
In 1995 Dr. Zenn was hired as an Assistant Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. In 2000, he was recruited to the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Duke University Medical Center where he held many titles over 17 years, including Professor with Tenure, Vice Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery, Director of Resident Training and Co-Director of the Facial Reanimation Program. At Duke, Dr. Zenn’s practice was a mix of highly intricate reconstructions of the face, breast, and body and state-of-the-art cosmetic surgeries. While at Duke Dr. Zenn invented the “Zenn Delay” breast reconstruction procedure, used around the world to provide women with genetic risk (BRCA) and all stages of cancer immediate reconstruction with a dramatically improved safety profile. His original study of his first cohort of patients was published in 2015.
In addition to being named “Best Doctors in America” for many years, Dr. Zenn was voted as America’s Best Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek in 2021! He also has the unique distinction of being named Top Cosmetic Doctor and Top Cancer Specialist by Castle Connolly. He was also named one of the “Three Best Plastic Surgeons” in Raleigh for 2019, 2020, and 2021. 
Dr. Zenn has published numerous articles and book chapters and has lectured around the world on a variety of topics in plastic surgery. His two-volume textbook, Reconstructive Surgery, has become required reading for young plastic surgeons both in the U.S. and abroad. He is proud to have trained hundreds of plastic surgery residents, many of whom practice in the Raleigh area. View Dr. Zenn’s Books and Publications.
In addition to serving as Past President of the NC Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Zenn is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Association of Plastic Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Zenn is perhaps best known for his “zen-like” personality. He is easygoing and relaxed and immediately puts his patients at ease. He is very approachable, and his office is aesthetically calming. He also takes a personal approach to patient care. His patients call him directly on his cell phone for any immediate problems or concerns. And he is always there for them. His integrity and amazing bedside manner are the trademarks of his reputation.
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