Meet Ewa Timek, MD
Dr. Ewa Komorowska-Timek is an internationally renowned cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon with nearly 20 years of clinical experience. She established Advanced Plastic Surgery as a practice of excellence and caring, where a patient will feel comfortable with and confident in their individualized treatment plan and care. Dr Timek’s empathy and willingness to listen intently to patients’ desires result in tailored treatments best suited for their unique scenarios.
– Ewa Timek, MD
Exemplary Credentials
Dr. Ewa Timek is a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California. While at Stanford, she received Medical Scholars Awards in Research in 1998 and 1999 for her scientific work as a Microsurgery Research Fellow at Microsurgical Laboratory at California Pacific Medical Center. Subsequently, she did her residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, where she stayed on Staff and worked as an attending and earned her Board Certification. Dr. Timek returned to Stanford to complete her additional training in Microsurgery and Complex Reconstruction and subsequently joined the faculty teaching the residents and fellows of the Stanford University Plastic Surgery Residency and Microsurgery Programs. Dr. Timek moved to Grand Rapids Michigan to join the clinical Faculty of the Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program at Michigan State University College of Medicine and established Advanced Plastic Surgery.
The Seeking of Knowledge Never Ends
It is Dr. Ewa Timek’s favorite saying. Even as an established cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Timek continues to refine her skills and techniques by independent studying and direct guidance from world-renown authorities in the field. After her Mini fellowships in ultra-microsugery (connecting vessels with diameter less than 0.8 mm) in San Martino Hospital in Genova, Italy and University of Tokyo, Japan, she was one of the first surgeons in the nation and the first one in Midwest to perform microsurgical operations to treat lymphedema. She also deepened her knowledge in lymph node transfer for lymphedema by direct collaboration with the world leaders in lymphedema treatment in New York and Seattle. Her microsurgical skills translate into the ability to handle tissues with delicacy, precision, and refined attention to detail. To achieve sophisticated, natural results in cosmetic surgery, Dr. Timek further enhanced her techniques by learning directly from her colleagues, prestigious plastic surgeons in Pasadena and Beverly Hills, California.
Researcher & Innovator
Dr. Timek stays current and is continuously fascinated by the advances and new concepts in plastic surgery and medicine overall. Her research pursuits started with an elaborate paper on leech application in plastic surgery. As a Research Fellow at the Bunke Laboratory in San Francisco, California, she learned fine skills to connect small blood vessels, less than 1 mm in size, under a microscope. She collaborated with numerous scientists on multiple projects, contributing to a better understanding of blood flow in low oxygen conditions and the behavior of tissues after protected freezing (cryopreservation) in an attempt to establish a cryopreserved tissue bank. Her work was awarded the Best Resident Paper at the California Society of Plastic Surgeons Meeting.
After moving to Southern California, Dr. Timek continued with her animal studies, discovering beneficial effects of acellular dermal matrix (dermal filler) placed around implants in irradiated conditions. These studies contributed to devising better strategies in breast reconstruction. At Stanford, along with other scientists, Dr. Timek wrote a frequently quoted article on mapping tissue circulation while in the operating room using advanced infra-red laser technology. For her clinical work, she won the First Prize for the Best Clinical Paper at Stanford Clinical Research Day. After moving to Michigan, her research pursuits continued both in the animal laboratory and other clinical settings. She joined the Van Andel Institute to conduct research on the survival of human fat grafts. This project was funded by the Spectrum Health (now Corewell Health) Research Foundation and was led to completion in collaboration with Michigan University Department of Animal Pathology. She now runs the Center for Excellence, where she can perform her innovative techniques in fat grafting and other procedures. Dr. Timek continues to pioneer innovative ways in reconstructive and cosmetic breast surgery. With her vast experience as a scientist, Dr. Timek has mentored residents and medical students on their research projects, which resulted in numerous presentations, publications, and awards on a national and international level. Dr. Timek also serves as the Associate Editor for the Annals of Plastic Surgery, where she oversees the manuscript review process, thus helping shape the current plastic surgery literature.
Professional Appointments
Dr. Ewa Komorowska-Timek has been an active contributor to the Plastic Surgery Community since becoming a plastic surgeon. She served as Faculty Member at the Division of Plastic Surgery at Loma Linda University and Division of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University. Early in her career, she became a reviewer of the Microsurgery Journal and joined the Editorial Board of the Annals of Plastic Surgery as the Assistant Editor. Dr. Ewa Timek became a Clinical Assistant Professor at Michigan State University Plastic Surgery Residency Program, the function she is holding till present. While in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dr. Timek joined the Van Andel Institute as an Adjunct Assistant Professor working on survival of grafted fat in the animal model using human fat derived during breast reconstructive procedures. The experience in breast reconstruction and lymphedema treatment after cancer led to further recognition of Dr. Timek’s expertise as the Clinical Advisor to create Microsurgery and Lymphedema Programs at Spectrum Health (presently Corewell Health) Medical Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan. She also held the role of the Division Chief of Plastic Surgery at Spectrum Health in 2014-2016. Dr. Timek remains an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery. For her academic achievements, she has also been inducted to the prestigious American Association of Plastic Surgeons.
Mentor & Educator
Dr. Timek has a real passion for teaching. Through her career she has guided numerous medical students and residents through their career decisions as a Teaching Faculty member at University Institutions, such as Stanford University, Loma Linda, University, and Michigan State University. She was awarded the Reconstructive Surgeon of the Year Award by the 2016 graduating Class of Plastic Surgery Residents at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, Michigan. At present, Dr. Ewa Komorowska-Timek serves as an Attending for the Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency teaching residents the mastery of plastic surgery. Dr. Timek is also a mentor to several residents and medical students conducting various research studies. Her innovative approach, insightful input, unbarred availability, and generous guidance result in several presentations at prestigious plastic surgery meetings and publications in major plastic surgery journals every year.
Awards, Grants, and Honors
Dr. Ewa Komorowska-Timek is a recipient of numerous awards, grants, and honors. As a native of Poland, she was elected to an Independent Studies Academic Track for Academic Excellence at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. Additionally, while at the Jagiellonian University, she received the Scholarship for Academic Excellence for four consecutive years. With her innovative research ideas, Dr. Timek was a semi-finalist for the scientific Fulbright Scholarship. Her academic achievements were nationally recognized by awarding Dr. Timek the Health Ministry of Poland Scholarship for Academic Excellence for three consecutive years. Dr. Ewa Komorowska-Timek defended her doctorate thesis, earning the Doctorate in Medicine degree (PhD equivalent) in Poland. After matriculating into Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Timek received highly prestigious Medical Scholars Research Grants for two consecutive years. Her studies were further nurtured by Kosciuszko Foundation Scholarship Grant and the Frank Rogers, MD, MBA Academic Achievement Awards during her residency years. Her research pursuits were recognized by the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Meeting awarding the Best Resident Paper Award and Best Clinical Paper at Stanford University Research Day. Over the years, Dr. Timek’s investigational studies have been supported by various institutional and industry-sponsored Research Grants, such as the Spectrum Health Research Foundation Research Grant, the Spectrum Health Office of Research Administration Investigator-Initiated Research Grant, LifeCell Corporation Educational Grant, Synovis Educational Grant, and Novadaq Educational Grant. Recent research pursuits resulted in Second and Third Place Abstract Presentation at the Michigan Academy of Plastic Surgeons, Mackinac Island, Michigan.
Presentations and Publications
Dr. Ewa Timek is the author of numerous impactful publications and presentations. Take a look at her full page on publications and features.
Research
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47A Brief Introduction
OUT-OF-TOWN PATIENTS
come visit us
It’s not uncommon for patients to travel to Grand Rapids for plastic surgery from all over Michigan, surounging states, and even other countries. With Dr. Timek’s international notoriety, we welcome patients from all around the world. Our out-of-town patient page gives a break down of accommodations & recommendations in the area.
Patient Resources
Advanced Plastic Surgery
We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out.