Reza Jarrahy, MD

Reza Jarrahy, MD

  • Plastic Surgery

About

Dr. Jarrahy accepts all insurances based on out of network coverage. To schedule an appointment please call his scheduler 310-825-0065.

Dr. Reza Jarrahy, Clinical Professor of Surgery, Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, is one of the most experienced and well-regarded craniofacial surgeons in Southern California. He is recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally as a leader in his field. His professional activities over the past decade have helped advance patient care, research, education, and global health initiatives in plastic surgery locally and around the world.

Dr. Jarrahy was born and raised in New York City and attended Hunter College High School, one of New York City's highly competitive city-wide specialized schools. He graduated from high school as valedictorian and went on to earn his Bachelor's degree from Stanford University, where he studied Biological Sciences and Italian Studies. After medical school at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he completed his general surgery residency at New York University and the University of California at San Diego. Dr. Jarrahy went on to plastic surgery residency at UCLA and, upon graduating, was accepted into the UCLA Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship—one of the most highly regarded programs of its kind in the nation—under the direction of Dr. Henry Kawamoto, the founder of the Fellowship and one of the world's most eminent craniofacial surgeons. Since joining the UCLA full-time plastic surgery faculty in 2007, Dr. Jarrahy has continued to honor Dr. Kawamoto's legacy by providing leadership and continuity to the program. He has trained all of UCLA's craniofacial fellows since that time and continues to mentor fellows who come to train at UCLA from around the country and all over the world.

During his clinical residency and fellowship years, Dr. Jarrahy also completed three years of dedicated research training. This experience prepared him for his current career in academic medicine and research, resulting today in a robust and productive research program that is characterized by the publication of many peer-reviewed journal publications and book chapters, and the delivery of many scientific presentations and invited lectures around the world. Dr. Jarrahy's research has been recognized by leading scientists in the field of academic plastic surgery, who have bestowed upon him numerous prestigious research awards. He has also mentored many research fellows who have gone on to illustrious careers in Plastic Surgery research, academia, and clinical practice. 

Since completing his training, Dr. Jarrahy has committed himself in an uninterrupted fashion to promoting the field of craniofacial surgery and to caring for craniofacial patients. He has extensive experience in the treatment of the most complex craniofacial anomalies, as well as complex reconstructive surgery of the head and neck, including cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis repair, jaw surgery, ear reconstruction, soft tissue and bone tumor reconstruction, and many others. He has worked non-stop over the past decade to advance the interests of children born with facial birth defects in the operating room, the laboratory, and through his involvement in philanthropy and community service.

As a result of his in-depth knowledge of the craniofacial skeleton and soft tissues, he has also earned a reputation as an excellent aesthetic surgeon of the face and neck, whose attention to detail consistently results in superb natural results and very satisfied patients.

Dr. Jarrahy serves these patients and the community at large as Assistant Chief of Plastic Surgery at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Co-Director of the UCLA Craniofacial Clinic, and Co-Director of the UCLA Face Transplant Program. He also serves as a Surgical Director of the Providence St. John's Health Center Cleft Palate Program, which is one of the nation's longest-running multidisciplinary centers for children with cleft lip and palate. 

Dr. Jarrahy's extensive experience has earned him numerous positions of leadership in various professional societies, including the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, where he has served as a Board member for the past decade, and for which he is currently the President Elect. He also serves as a faculty advisor to the UCLA Blum Center for Poverty and Health in Latin America, the UCLA Latin American Institute, and the UCLA School of Medicine Center for World Health, where he continues to support the development of global health programs for undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students.

Perhaps more than any other quality, Dr. Jarrahy is best known for his humanism and his humanitarianism. He continues to travel overseas multiple times per year to operate and engage in community service projects in developing nations, serving some of the most vulnerable children on the planet. He has operated on over 1,000 children in resource-poor settings over the course of his career and he was recently honored as a Global Health Champion for Operation Smile, tasked with helping coordinate all global health efforts in Guatemala.

Education is a top priority for Dr. Jarrahy and one of the most important aspects of his career, touching everything he does. He is the proud recipient of a 2016 UCLA Health Teaching Humanism Award, in recognition of his contributions as a role model and teacher of patient-centered care. He is also the recipient of the UCLA Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2022 Faculty Teaching Award, which he cherishes as one of the most important accomplishments of his career. 

Patient Stories

Severely damaged face saved by THE best; Dr. Reza Jarrahy!
Dr. Jarrahy is one of the best!
Phrenic Nerve Injury Treatment | UCLA Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Languages

English

Education

Medical Board Certification

Plastic Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2008

Fellowships

Plastic Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine, 2006
Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 2000

Residencies

Surgery, UCSD Medical Center, 2003
Surgery, New York University Medical Center, 1998

Internship

Surgery, New York University Medical Center, 1997

Degree

MD, SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine, 1996

Recognitions

  • Super Doctors® Southern California, 2023
  • 2010-2022 Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctors
  • UCLA Health Teaching Humanism Award, 2016
  • See More

Hospital Affiliations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Research

Interests

Basic Science:
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Biomaterials
  • Nerve Regeneration
  • Stem Cell Therapies
  • Burn Wound Reconstruction
  • Adipose Derived Stem Cells
  • Transplantation
Clinical:
  • Comparison of Cleft Lip and Palate Techniques
  • Outcomes in Cranioplasty
  • Orthognathic Surgery
  • Radiology in Craniofacial Surgery
  • Psychosocial Development in Children with Facial Deformities

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Centivo
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Health Net of California
  • Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
  • L.A. Care
  • Medicare Advantage
  • MultiPlan
  • UFCM Health System
  • Prime Health Services
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealthcare

The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change. 
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.

Visit our health insurance information page for more details.

Recognitions

  • Super Doctors® Southern California, 2023
  • 2010-2022 Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctors

Professional Honors:

  • UCLA Health Teaching Humanism Award, 2016
  • Invited Faculty, ASMS Basic Maxillofacial Techniques Course, 2016
  • Invited Faculty, Global Pediatric Facial Surgery Summit. Austin Texas, 2015
  • Invited Faculty, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Pre-Conference Symposium, 2015
  • Member, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Task Force on Diversity, 2015
  • Course Instructor, American Society of Plastic Surgeons 84th Annual Meeting, 2015
  • Session Moderator, American Society of Plastic Surgeons 84th Annual Meeting, 2015
  • Instructor, ASMS International Basic Course, Romanian Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, Iasi, Romania, 2015
  • Session Moderator, 60th Annual Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting, 2015
  • Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons Craniomaxillofacial/Head and Neck Subcommittee, 2015
  • Scientific Program Committee, American Society of Plastic Surgeons 84th Annual Meeting, 2015
  • Member, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Scientific Program Committee, 2015
  • Scientific Program Committee, 60th Annual Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting, 2015
  • Invited Reviewer, Biochemical Sciences, 2014-present
  • Scientific Program Committee, American Society of Plastic Surgeons 83rd Annual Meeting, 2014
  • Invited Faculty, ASCFS/ASMS Basic Techniques in Craniofacial Surgery Course, 2014
  • Invited Reviewer, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2013-present
  • Session Moderator, 59th Annual Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting, 2014
  • Scientific Program Committee, 59th Annual Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting, 2014
  • Invited Reviewer, Plastic Surgery Review: A Study Guide for In-Service and Board Exams, Thieme, 2014
  • Chair and Host, 9th Biennial Henry K. Kawamoto Jr. Lectureship in Craniofacial Surgery, 2014
  • Co-Chair and Local Host, ASMS Basic Maxillofacial Principles and Techniques Winter Course, 2014
  • Co-Chair and Moderator, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Pre-Conference Symposium, 2013
  • Member, ASPS Convention Committee, Craniomaxillofacial Subcommittee, 2013
  • Session Abstract Rater, American Society of 82nd Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, 2013
  • Scientific Panel Moderator, American Society of 82nd Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, 2013
  • Member, Planning Committee, American Society of 82nd Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting, 2013
  • Co-Director, UCLA Latin American Institute Working Group Symposium Series, 2013
  • Scientific Panel Moderator, Plastic Surgery Research Council Annual Meeting, 2013
  • Invited Reviewer, Tissue Engineering Part A, 2012-present
  • Chair, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Membership Committee, 2012-2015
  • Member, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Ad Hoc Committee on Young MF Surgeons, 2012-2014
  • Vice President of Communications, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, 2012-2014
  • Chair, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Best Papers Committee, 2012-2014
  • Member, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Development Committee, 2012-2013
  • Member, Buildings and Grounds Committee, UCLA Lab School Advisory Board, 2012-2013
  • Co-Chair, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Scientific Program Committee, 2012-2013
  • Editor, Pediatrics Module, Plastic Surgery Hyperguide, 2011–2012
  • Member, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Education Committee, 2011-2015
  • Member, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Maxillofacial News Committee, 2011-2013
  • Member, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Website Committee, 2011-2013
  • Chair, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Video Sub-Committee, 2011-2012
  • Delegate, Coalition of California Cleft and Craniofacial Teams, 2011
  • American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons CRANIO Fellowship, 2011
  • Founding Member and Co-Chair, Outreach Committee, UCLA Lab School Advisory Board, 2010-2013
  • Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation Scientific Essay Contest, Third Place Award, 2010
  • Co-Chair and Local Host, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Basic Course, UCLA, February 2010
  • Advisor, College of Applied Anatomy, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 2009-present
  • Advisory Board, UCLA Lab School, Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, 2009-2014
  • UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies Research Review Committee, 2009
  • Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation Scientific Essay Contest, Second Place Award, 2009
  • Invited reviewer, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 2007-present
  • American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Research Award, 2004
  • American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Research Award, 2004
  • UCLA Division of Plastic Surgery Resident Research Award, 2004
  • Plastic Surgery Research Council Baronio Scholar, 2004
  • UCSD Department of Surgery Chairman’s Award, 2003
  • UCSD Department of Surgery Chief Resident Teaching Award, 2003
  • Association for Academic Surgery Student Research Award, 1996
  • Asians in Medicine Community Service Award, 1995
  • Phi Delta Theta Educational Foundation Community Service Award, 1992

Research Awards:

  • Plastic Surgery Foundation National Endowment for Plastic Surgery Award. Novel osteogenic oxysterol for cranial bone regeneration. Principal Investigator. 2014
  • UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Catalyst Grant: Pediatrics, Surgery, and Anthropology in Brazil. Co-Principal Investigator. 2014.
  • UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Catalyst Grant: Pediatrics, Surgery, and Anthropology in Brazil. Co-Principal Investigator. 2014.
  • UCLA Latin American Institute Working Group Grant: Surgery and Culture in Latin America. Co-principal Investigator, 2013.
  • American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons/Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation Research Grant Award. Large- Scale Bone Regeneration Using a Novel Chemotactic Regenerative Scaffold. Principal Investigator. 2013.
  • Komedyplast Craniofacial Research Grant, American Society of Craniofacial Surgery. A novel osteogenic agent, Oxy133, promotes bone regeneration. Principal Investigator. 2013.
  • UCLA Latin American Institute Working Group Grant: Co-principal Investigator, 2013.
  • Cleft Palate Foundation Cleft/Craniofacial Anomalies Research Grant: A novel osteogenic oxysterol for cranial bone regeneration. Principal Investigator. 2013.
  • UCLA Transdisciplinary Seed Grant (UCLA CTSI UL1TR000124): Facing the Future: Changing Paradigms in Global Health Delivery. Co-Principal Investigator. 2013.
  • UCLA Faculty Research Grant: Bone regeneration by a chemotactic "smart scaffold:" in vivo calvarial bone defect model. Principal Investigator. 2013.
  • Annenberg Foundation Award for Craniofacial Surgery and Research, unrestricted educational grant. 2013.
  • UCLA Latin American Institute Working Group Grant: Surgery and Culture in Latin America. Co-principal Investigator, 2012.
  • ASMS/MSF Research Grant Award: Development of a "Smart Scaffold" to maintain chemotactic effects for mesenchymal stem cells. Principal Investigator. 2011
  • UCLA Faculty Research Grant: Developing a "smart scaffold" for use in bone tissue engineering. Principal Investigator. 2011.
  • Plastic Surgery Foundation Pilot Research Grant: Fabrication of a chemotactic smart scaffold for bone regeneration. Principal Investigator. 2011.
  • UCLA Transdisciplinary Seed Grant: Empowerment through art: improving self-esteem in children with congenital facial malformations through self-Produced multimedia storytelling. Co-Principal Investigator. 2011.
  • Annenberg Foundation Award for Craniofacial Surgery and Research: Healing of mandibular osteoradionecrosis defects using bone tissue engineering approaches. Principal Investigator. 2011.
  • Annenberg Foundation Award for Craniofacial Surgery and Research: The use of a novel cholesterol-based osteogenic growth factor in bone regeneration. Principal Investigator. 2010.
  • Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation Research Fellowship Grant Award: Osteogenic Potential of Oxysterols in Tissue Engineering. Principal Investigator. 2009.
  • Osteoprogenitor Cell Lines. Principal Investigator. 2004.
  • American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Research Award: The Impact of Three-Dimensional Culture upon the Contracts Differentiation of Primary

Links