About Dr. Kunkel

People often ask me why I went into plastic surgery. I remember the deciding factor very clearly. When I was in my third year of medical school I spent one month with the plastic surgery service. One day the plastic surgery residents and staff physician were working on a 10-year-old boy who had lost an ear as a result of a severe burn. The plastic surgeons did an operation where they took a part of his rib, carved it into shape of an ear, and implanted it in his scalp where the ear used to be. I thought, "Great! I want to be able to help people like this." Now I am a plastic surgeon, and I am fortunate to be able to do what I love to do.

-Kelly R. Kunkel, M.D.

Who is Dr. Kunkel?

Dr. Kunkel grew up in Fort Worth. He attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with honors. Dr. Kunkel received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He recognized early during his medical school years that he wanted to become a plastic surgeon. During his fourth year of medical school Dr. Kunkel went to Basel, Switzerland to study with one of the pioneers of facial reconstructive surgery techniques. Dr Kunkel completed a residency in surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch hospitals (where he also won an award as the Outstanding Surgery Intern), then moved to Seattle to study burn surgery at the University of Washington. He then completed his plastic surgery training at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon, where the program director was one of the innovators in bone growth and regeneration. Dr. Kunkel moved back to Fort Worth in 1994 to begin his private practice of plastic surgery. He is currently certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Kunkel was recognized by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine as one of the area’s best plastic surgeons for 7 consecutive years and has also been listed by Texas Monthly Magazine in its Texas Super Doctors for 5 consecutive years. He was also named a HealthCare Hero by the Fort Worth Business Press.

Dr. Kunkel is a member of many professional societies, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, Fort Worth Plastic Surgery Society, Fort Worth Surgical Society, and the Tarrant County Medical Association.

In addition to his plastic surgery practice, Dr. Kunkel believes in service to the community. Currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Branch YMCA, Dr. Kunkel has also served on the Boards of the Tarrant County Medical Society, Women's Haven of Tarrant County, and Leadership Fort Worth. He has served on numerous hospital committees, ensuring quality health care for people living in North Central Texas. Dr. Kunkel has also represented local plastic surgeons as an officer in the Fort Worth Plastic Surgery Society and North Texas Specialty Physicians.

Hospital Affiliations:

Andrews Women's Hospital
Baylor All Saints Medical Center
Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital
Plaza Day Surgery
USMD Hospital at Fort Worth