Reconstructive Surgery

Dr. Stephanie Caterson brings her extensive microsurgery experience and passion for breast reconstruction to ChristianaCare, where she developed the Center for Breast Reconstruction to be able to offer breast reconstruction to our community based on the individual goals and needs of each patient. 

Offering innovative surgical techniques at the time of breast cancer diagnosis helps the patient look and feel restored when treatment is over. Dr. Caterson specializes in microsurgical flap reconstruction using skin, fat, blood vessels, and sometimes muscle from other parts of the body to reconstruct one or both breasts lost in cancer treatment. These advanced flap techniques are offered to our patients along with numerous other implant-based procedures. To date, Dr. Caterson has performed breast reconstruction on thousands of patients, with more than 1,500 of those being microsurgical flap procedures.

Dr. Dorothy Bird joined the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team, expanding the microsurgical flap reconstruction program here at ChristianaCare. With the primary goal of restoring aesthetics, form, and function, Dr. Bird offers individualized reconstructive surgical treatment regimens to patients with cancer, traumatic injuries, and congenital conditions. These innovative, life-changing procedures help the patients return to their lives feeling whole again.

Dr. Bird is an expert microsurgeon who offers not only state-of-the-art breast reconstruction, but also head and neck reconstruction, limb/orthopedic reconstruction, complex wound reconstruction (traumatic or chronic), and lymphatic reconstruction.

Irfan Rhemtulla M.D. is the newest surgeon to the reconstructive plastic surgery team, who has dedicated training in microvascular surgery. He specializes in reconstruction of the entire body after life-altering events such as cancer and trauma. Dr. Rhemtulla’s interests lie in extremity reconstruction, limb salvage, breast cancer reconstruction, sarcoma reconstruction and trunk reconstruction.

As a member of many professional societies, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, Dr. Rhemtulla has also published over 20 peer-reviewed articles and has had his work selected to be presented at several national and international conferences.

Our team of compassionate advanced practice clinicians understands the profound impact that a new cancer diagnosis or life-changing trauma can have not only on the patient, but also their loved ones. 

Kerry Gregory, PA-C, is a highly accomplished physician assistant with 17 years of well-rounded experience, including management of breast cancer and breast reconstruction patients. She is also trained in state-of-the art professional nipple and areola 3-D tattooing techniques. 

John Przybylski Jr., PA-C, joins the team with over nine years of concentrated operating experience and surgical care. He has received many academic awards and is an adjunct teaching faculty member at Drexel University. 

Lisa Van Horn, PA-C, comes to us with extensive experience in the fields of dermatology and plastic surgery, having previously practiced in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This along with her graduate training in clinical counseling gives her a unique perspective when working with each patient.

Kristen Alesia, PA-C, is a compassionate board-certified advanced practice clinician. She provides care to patients and their families who are dealing with treatment and recovery from breast surgery and other general surgical procedures.