Alumni Corner: Tathyana Fensterer, MD, PhD
Iowa plastic surgery alumna Tathyana Fensterer, MD, PhD reflects on her training at Iowa and discusses her new role as Medical Director of Plastic Surgery at Indiana University Bloomington.
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When Tathyana Fensterer, MD, PhD was exploring plastic surgery residency programs, she was drawn to the University of Iowa's reputation as a comprehensive academic medical center where trainees could gain experience across the full spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Today, that broad foundation has helped prepare her for an exciting new chapter as Medical Director of Plastic Surgery at Indiana University Bloomington.
Fensterer was recently recruited to help lead a growing plastic surgery program in Bloomington, where Indiana University is expanding access to specialized plastic and reconstructive surgical care. The opportunity was a natural fit for a surgeon whose career has spanned leadership, academic medicine, private practice, cosmetic surgery, and complex reconstruction.
"They were looking for somebody with experience building a program," Fensterer said. "Because I have experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and have worked in a variety of practice settings, it was a good fit."
Her journey to this new role has been far from conventional. Fensterer completed general surgery and plastic surgery training in Brazil before pursuing additional surgical training in the United States. Along the way, she led a plastic surgery department in Brazil, established a successful private practice, and became the first plastic surgeon hired by Baptist Health, Kentucky's largest health care system.
Reflecting on her decision to train at Iowa, Fensterer said the department's breadth of clinical experiences stood out immediately.
"Iowa did everything," she recalled. "There was cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, lasers, and opportunities to work closely with other specialties. It was a large university environment where you could learn from outstanding departments across the institution."
That exposure to complex cases and multidisciplinary care reinforced the academic approach to medicine that had shaped her training from the beginning. Having trained at major universities throughout her career, Fensterer valued Iowa's culture of collaboration and innovation.
But while the educational experience was invaluable, it was the people who left the greatest impression.
"The community was wonderful," she said. "We spent a lot of time together, supported one another, and built friendships that extended outside the hospital. Those are some of my favorite memories from Iowa."
As Iowa Surgery continues to strengthen connections with graduates through alumni events and communications, Fensterer says she welcomes the opportunity to reconnect with former classmates, colleagues, and mentors.
"Sometimes I find myself wondering where people are now and what they're doing," she said. "It's nice to have a community where we can stay connected and see each other's successes."
She also takes pride in watching the department continue to grow.
"When I came to Iowa, the plastic surgery program was still very new," Fensterer said. "Now, years later, it's exciting to see how much it has expanded and how its reputation continues to grow. The success of alumni reflects the strength of the residency program and the department as a whole."
As she prepares to lead Indiana University's plastic surgery program in Bloomington, Fensterer carries with her the lessons, relationships, and experiences that helped shape her career.
The University of Iowa Department of Surgery congratulates Dr. Fensterer on her new role and looks forward to following her continued success in the years ahead.