Michelle Hardaway, M.D., F.A.C.S. – Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Michelle Hardaway has over two decades of experience as a leader in the aesthetic plastic surgery field. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Hardaway has the extensive education and commitment to patient safety and care required to deliver the highest quality results.
Dr. Hardaway graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed her residencies at premiere medical institutions including North Shore University Hospital and Nassau County Medical Center. She has served in top leadership roles including Chief of Plastic Surgery and Director of the Burn Center at Detroit Receiving Hospital.
With her keen artistic eye, Dr. Hardaway achieves natural, harmonious outcomes tailored to enhance each patient’s unique beauty. Her expertise across the spectrum of plastic surgery allows her to develop truly customized treatment plans combining surgical procedures and nonsurgical options to meet patients’ goals. Dr. Hardaway’s devotion to patients shows through her compassionate care and the satisfaction of her many clients.
Education
Dr. Hardaway graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine, completing her medical degree. She went on to pursue her residency training in general surgery at North Shore University Hospital, an affiliate of Cornell Medical Center in New York.
To further advance her skills, Dr. Hardaway also completed a burn fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Fellowships provide intensive training in a subspecialty beyond the initial residency. Completing a burn fellowship gave Dr. Hardaway advanced expertise in treating burn injuries and scars.
She then went on to complete her plastic surgery residency at Nassau County Medical Center in New York. Her rigorous residency training focused on comprehensive management of complex reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery procedures.
Dr. Hardaway laid a strong educational foundation through her medical school training at Wayne State, general surgery residency at North Shore University Hospital, burn fellowship at Wayne State University, and culminated with her plastic surgery residency at Nassau County Medical Center. This extensive education prepared her for a successful career as a leading plastic surgeon.
Training
Dr. Hardaway completed her medical degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. She then embarked on her surgical training, starting with an intensive 5-year general surgery residency at North Shore University Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.
After completing her general surgery residency, Dr. Hardaway pursued advanced specialty training in plastic and reconstructive surgery. She was accepted into the prestigious plastic surgery residency program at Indiana University School of Medicine. During her 3 years at Indiana, Dr. Hardaway received comprehensive training in all aspects of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. She served as chief resident during her final year.
Through her successive residencies and fellowship training at highly respected institutions, Dr. Hardaway has gained expertise across the entire spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures. Her rigorous surgical training prepared her to provide the highest level of care for her cosmetic and reconstructive patients.
Faculty Appointments
Dr. Hardaway has held faculty appointments at prestigious institutions, which speaks to her expertise and qualifications as a plastic surgeon. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at Wayne State University School of Medicine, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, her current faculty appointment.
She previously held a position as Assistant Professor of Surgery at Wayne State University in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Her faculty appointments at a major medical school demonstrate her capabilities as an experienced academic plastic surgeon.
Teaching plastic surgery residents allows Dr. Hardaway to stay closely connected with advancements in the field while imparting her knowledge to the next generation of surgeons. Patients can feel confident knowing Dr. Hardaway received excellent medical training herself, pursues ongoing education, and gives back to her profession through instruction of residents.
Hospital Appointments
Dr. Michelle Hardaway has held several leadership and staff positions at major hospitals and medical centers in Detroit and New York throughout her distinguished career.
After completing her residency training in general surgery at North Shore University Hospital in New York, Dr. Hardaway served as an attending surgeon, where she gained critical experience in complex surgical procedures and postoperative care.
Upon returning to Detroit, Dr. Hardaway was appointed Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Detroit Receiving Hospital. In this prestigious role, she oversaw the entire department, managed staff, set policies and standards, and ensured optimal patient outcomes. Her leadership elevated the department and helped train the next generation of plastic surgeons.
In addition to her chief position, Dr. Hardaway held the role of Director of the Burn Center at Detroit Receiving Hospital. As director, she provided compassionate, expert care to burn patients from across the region. She worked with a multidisciplinary team and supervised all operations of this specialized intensive care unit.
Today, Dr. Hardaway remains affiliated with major hospitals in Detroit including Harper University Hospital, Detroit Medical Center, Grace Hospital, and more. Her appointments over the years demonstrate her unwavering dedication to patient care and advancement of the field of plastic surgery.
Board Certifications
When choosing a plastic surgeon, it is crucial to select someone who is board certified in plastic surgery. Dr. Michelle Hardaway is board certified in both plastic surgery and general surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
Her dual board certifications demonstrate her extensive surgical training, expertise, and commitment to pursuing the highest credentials available. As a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Hardaway has undergone rigorous written and oral examinations to assess her medical knowledge, judgment, technical skill, and patient care abilities in plastic surgery.
Additionally, her board certification in general surgery provides her with a strong surgical foundation and ability to manage complex cases and patients safely. General surgery training focuses heavily on wound healing, scars, infection control, and postoperative care – all directly relevant to plastic surgery procedures and outcomes.
When you choose a board certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Hardaway, you can feel confident you are selecting a highly qualified surgeon with the skills and training to deliver excellent aesthetic results. Her dual board certifications set her apart as a preeminent expert in both plastic surgery and general surgery.
Hospital Affiliations
Dr. Hardaway is affiliated with some of the top hospitals and medical centers in the Detroit metro area, bringing her expertise in plastic and reconstructive surgery to leading institutions. She has privileges at the following major hospitals:
- Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak – As Michigan’s largest hospital, Beaumont offers advanced specialty care and is a major teaching and research hospital. Dr. Hardaway’s affiliation provides Beaumont patients access to her skills in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries.
- Providence Hospital, Southfield – Part of Ascension Michigan, Providence is a teaching hospital focused on compassionate care. Dr. Hardaway’s affiliation here expands patients’ access to her aesthetic expertise.
- St. John Hospital
- Detroit Medical Center Hospitals (Harper, Grace, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Receiving Hospital and Hutzel Hospital).
Dr. Hardaway’s affiliations with these major hospitals and medical centers ensure more patients across Michigan can benefit from her outstanding surgical skills and experience. Her hospital privileges reinforce her reputation as a leading plastic surgeon in the Detroit metropolitan region.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Hardaway has been recognized with numerous honors and distinctions that highlight her exceptional talents and contributions in the field of plastic surgery. These include:
- The Patients Choice Award (2010, 2011) – This honor from Vitals.com is based on patient reviews recognizing the top doctors in various specialties for providing outstanding care. Dr. Hardaway was given this award in back-to-back years, demonstrating how highly patients regard her clinical excellence.
- Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2011, 2013) – Dr. Hardaway received this honor from Vitals.com for two years in recognition of her warmth, friendliness, and dedication to delivering a positive patient experience. Her compassionate approach puts patients at ease.
- Top 10 Doctor – Metro Detroit (2013) – Hour Detroit magazine named Dr. Hardaway one of the top 10 doctors in metro Detroit across all specialties. This distinction acknowledges her surgical skills and expertise within the plastic surgery field.
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2012-2020) – For almost a decade running, Dr. Hardaway has been selected as one of Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors based on nominations from peers highlighting her exceptional clinical talents and dedication to patients.
- Hour Detroit Top Docs (2011-2020) – For 10 consecutive years, Dr. Hardaway has been named one of Hour Detroit’s Top Docs, an annual list recognizing leading doctors in the metro Detroit region across various specialties. Her consistent selection over the past decade is a testament to her mastery as a plastic surgeon.
- RealSelf Top Doctor – Dr. Hardaway’s consistently positive patient reviews earned her distinction as a Top Doctor on RealSelf, the leading online community for cosmetic treatments. This honor reflects her focus on delivering outstanding care and achieving beautiful natural results for her patients.
Memberships
Dr. Hardaway holds memberships in several prominent medical societies that demonstrate her dedication to pursuing excellence in plastic surgery. She is an active fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), which signifies her commitment to high standards in surgical education and optimal patient care. As an FACS member, Dr. Hardaway adheres to a professional code of ethics and must pursue ongoing continuing medical education to uphold her fellowship.
Additionally, Dr. Hardaway maintains membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the leading body representing board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. She also belongs to the American Burn Association, American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society, Detroit Medical Society, and other state and local medical groups. Her affiliations allow Dr. Hardaway to stay connected to the broader medical community and pursue collaborative education opportunities that inform her practice.
Through her memberships in premier plastic surgery societies and engagement with fellow medical professionals, Dr. Hardaway shows her dedication to delivering the highest quality patient care and surgical outcomes. Her active participation helps elevate the standards and innovation in the field of plastic surgery.
Aesthetic Philosophy
Dr. Hardaway’s aesthetic philosophy is grounded in achieving natural looking results that complement each patient’s unique facial features and body contours. Her goal is always to create beautiful enhancements that appear seamless rather than obvious.
During a consultation, Dr. Hardaway takes the time to understand her patients’ concerns and aesthetic objectives. She educates them on options that will address their needs while suiting their anatomy and bone structure. Her artistic eye and meticulous techniques aim to deliver results that look and feel entirely natural.
Whether performing facial rejuvenation, breast enhancement, or body contouring, Dr. Hardaway strives for subtle improvements that restore a refreshed, youthful appearance. Her focus is on helping patients look like the best version of themselves. She avoids overdone results in favor of enhancing what is already beautiful.
Dr. Hardaway’s comprehensive experience allows her to combine procedures for complete aesthetic revitalization. Her skill in both surgical and non-surgical treatments provides patients options to address all areas of concern. By developing customized plans, Dr. Hardaway helps patients fully achieve their cosmetic goals through natural-looking outcomes designed just for them.
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Curriculum Vitae
Education:
- B.S., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- M.D., Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Training:
- General Surgery Residency: North Shore University Hospital, Cornell Medical Center, Manhasset, NY,
- Burn Fellowship: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI,
- Plastic Surgery Residency: Nassau County Medical Center, East Meadow, NY
Faculty Appointments:
- Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery, Wayne State University, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – present appointment
- Assistant Professor of Surgery, Wayne State University, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – past appointment
Previous Hospital or other Professional Appointments:
- Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit, MI
- Director of Burn Center, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit MI
Associations
Major Professional Societies:
- American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- American Society of Plastic Surgery
- American College of Surgeons
- American Burn Association
- Michigan State Medical Society
- Detroit Medical Society
- Michigan Academy of Plastic Surgery
- University of Michigan Alumni Association
- National Medical Association
- American Medical Association
- Oakland County Medical Society
- Wayne State University Alumni Association
Board Certification:
- Board Certified: Plastic Surgery
- Board Certified: General Surgery
Hospital Affiliations:
- Beaumont Hospital
- Providence Hospital
- St. John Hospital
- Detroit Medical Center Hospitals (Haper, Grace, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Receiving Hospital and Hutzel Hospital).