Richard A. Hopper, MD, MS
- Plastic Surgery
Medical Director, Plastic Surgery, Austin Campus
Samuel Stal, MD Endowed Chair
Professor of Surgery, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine
Phone:
737-229-3517
Languages: English
Office locations:
9835 North Lake Creek Parkway
Austin, TX 78717
8611 N. Mopac Expressway, Suite 300
Austin, TX 78759
Get to know Richard A. Hopper, MD, MS
Dr. Richard Hopper is an internationally recognized Craniofacial Plastic Surgeon who specializes in the surgical treatment of growth differences of the jaws and skull. This includes conditions such complex craniosynostosis, cleft lip and palate, and Treacher Collins, Crouzon, and Apert syndromes. Dr. Hopper is the former President of both the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery and the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery. His research interests have resulted in more than 100 publications focused on image-based outcome studies for craniosynostosis and complex craniofacial procedures as well as device design for cleft and craniofacial care. He has trained 38 craniofacial fellows who practice nationally and internationally. Dr. Hopper serves on the SmileTrain Global Medical Advisory Board to advise safety and quality treatment guidelines for patients born with cleft lip and palate around the world.
Personal Statement
Each day I count myself fortunate to be able to work with children with craniofacial challenges. Their spirit, courage and dignity give me the energy to always do my best in the clinic and the operating room. We take our faces for granted when we see, breathe, talk and smile. These children do not. So when they smile, and you've been able to help that smile, it lights up the room.
Clinical Interests
Midface distraction for cleft and craniosynostosis syndromes, upper obstructive airway disease management for Treacher Collins and other syndromes, cleft lip and palate management at all ages
Education
| School | Education | Degree | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York University Medical Center | Fellowship | Craniofacial Surgery | 2001 |
| University of Toronto | Residency | Plastic Surgery | 2000 |
Organizations
| Organization Name | Role |
|---|---|
| American Associate of Plastic Surgeons | Member |
| American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association | Member |
| American Society of Craniofacial Surgery | Member |
| American Society of Plastic Surgery | Member |
| International Society of Craniofacial Surgery | Immediate Past-President and Council Member |
Honors and awards
- 2008-2023
-
"Best Doctors in America" Recognition
- 2021
-
Distinguished Service Award, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, 2021
- 2019
-
Award for best published paper in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgery
- 2017
-
Best Oral Presentation Award, 13th International Cleft Congress, Chennai India
- 2015
-
The Kawamoto Award for Best Member’s Paper, American Society of Craniofacial Surgery
- 2013
-
The Marchac Award for Best Member’s Paper, International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons (ISCFS)
- 2013
-
The Kawamoto Award for Best Member’s Paper, American Society of Craniofacial Surgery (ASCFS)
- 2003
-
Medical Staff Caring for Children Award, Children’s Hospital
* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.
Research interests
Image-based outcome studies for craniosynostosis and complex craniofacial procedures as well as device design for cleft and craniofacial care
Hopper RA, Nguyen AN, Massenburg BB, Lee A, Mercan E. Direct Remodeling of Occipital Bullet Deformity in Sagittal Synostosis Improves Two-Year Posterior Morphology After Modified Pi Procedure. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2023 Jun 27. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010898. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37399527
Breakey RWF, Mercan E, van de Lande LS, Sidpra J, Birgfeld C, Lee A, Schievano S, Dunaway DJ, Jeelani NO, Hopper RA. Two-Center Review of Posterior Vault Expansion following a Staged or Expectant Treatment of Crouzon and Apert Craniosynostosis. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2023 Mar 1;151(3):615-626. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000009925. Epub 2022 Nov 22. PMID: 36730425
Massenburg BB, Mercan E, Shepard E, Birgfeld CB, Susarla SM, Lee A, Ellenbogen RG, Hopper RA. Morphometric Outcomes of Nonsyndromic Sagittal Synostosis following Open Middle and Posterior Cranial Vault Expansion. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2023 Apr 1;151(4):844-854. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010008. Epub 2022 Dec 9. PMID: 36729760
Nguyen AN, Purnell CA, Mercan E, Lee A, Birgfeld CB, Susarla SM, Ellenbogen RG, Hopper RA. Cranial Shape Changes in Nonsyndromic Unilateral Lambdoid Synostosis after Open Posterior Vault Remodeling. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2023 Jul 1;152(1):155-165. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010228. Epub 2023 Jan 24. PMID: 36727694
Massenburg BB, Susarla SM, Kapadia HP, Hopper RA. Subcranial Midface Advancement in Patients with Syndromic Craniosynostosis. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America, 2022 Aug;34(3):467-475. doi: 10.1016/j.coms.2022.01.002. Epub 2022 Jul 2. PMID: 35787822
Purnell CA, Evans M, Massenburg BB, Kim S, Preston K, Kapadia H, Hopper RA. Lefort II distraction with zygomatic repositioning versus Lefort III distraction: A comparison of surgical outcomes and complications. Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery. 2021 Oct;49(10):905-913. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2021.03.003. Epub 2021 Apr 28. PMID: 33965326
Liu MT, Kurnik NM, Mercan E, Susarla SM, Purnell CA, Hopper RA. Magnitude of Horizontal Advancement is Associated With Apnea Hypopnea Index Improvement and Counter-Clockwise Maxillary Rotation After Subcranial Distraction for Syndromic Synostosis. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2021 May;79(5):1133.e1-1133.e16. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2020.12.037. Epub 2020 Dec 30. PMID: 33515505