Griffin in Derby welcomes plastic surgeon

Dr. Mark A. Melendez

DERBY - Griffin Hospital welcomes Dr. Mark M. Melendez, an accomplished and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with extensive experience in advanced breast reconstruction techniques for breast cancer patients.

Melendez comes to Griffin Hospital after completing plastic surgery residency training with the renowned Long Island Plastic Surgical Group and fellowship training in reconstructive micro vascular surgery at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. 

He will also be a member of the practice of Griffin-affiliated plastic surgeon John F. Reilly, MD FACS, in Shelton.

Melendez is dedicated to providing the highest levels of plastic surgical techniques in breast reconstruction and will work closely with The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital and its medical director, Dr. Denise Barajas, a breast surgeon. 

He is trained in perforator flap breast reconstruction which avoids taking any abdominal muscle or connective tissue by using small blood vessels which are reconnected to the blood supply in the chest with a microscope. 

The most common perforator flap procedure Melendez performs is the DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap, in which excess skin and fat along the lower portion of the abdomen are used to create a new ‘natural’ breast after a mastectomy. He also offers SIEA (Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery) and TUG (Transverse Upper Gracilis) flaps as well as tissue expanders, implants, and fat grafting for breast reconstruction. 

He will perform the microvascular procedures in tandem with Dr. Reilly at Griffin Hospital.

Melendez is also experienced in micro vascular surgery, reconstructive, cosmetic, and peripheral nerve surgery.

Melendez graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Binghamton University and Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Long Island University. He also received a Masters in Business Administration, graduating as the valedictorian from Harriman School of Business at Stony Brook University.
He received his medical degree with honors from Ross University School of Medicine and completed seven years of general surgery training at Stony Brook University Medical Center, including a two year clinical research fellowship program supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Upon graduation from general surgery residency in 2010, he established an annual research grant award in memory of his grandmother, Esther Rentas, who succumbed with leukemia at 76, to foster residents in pursuing basic and clinical surgical research. 

He has authored several publications in peer-reviewed journals, four book chapters, and presented at numerous national/international plastic surgery conferences. He has also volunteered on international missionary work to Ecuador and Vietnam operating with a team of specialists in reconstruction surgery on adults as well as children.

For more information about Melendez or to make an appointment, call 203-924-2900.

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., offers patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.

For more information about the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

 

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.