Mary Katherine Van Wert, MD
Hear From Our Patients
Dr. Mary Katherine Van Wert is a fellowship-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She brings a strong foundation in breast surgery, complex reconstruction, and evidence-based surgical care to the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery.
Dr. Van Wert completed her Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she focused on breast microsurgery. Previously, she completed her General Surgery residency at Ochsner Clinic Foundation, where she served as Chief Administrative Resident and was elected Ombudsman for the program. She also served as President of the Ochsner chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons. She earned her medical degree cum laude from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and graduated magna cum laude from Furman University.
Dr. Van Wert’s research spans breast surgery, reduction mammaplasty outcomes, soft tissue reconstruction, and surgical care in complex clinical settings, with publications in The Ochsner Journal, Annals of Plastic Surgery, and EPlasty.
Education and Certifications:
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Plastic Surgery – Omaha, NE
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency 2023 – 2026
Ochsner Clinic Foundation, General Surgery – New Orleans, LA
General Surgery Residency 2018 – 2023
- Board Certified General Surgeon, American Board of Surgery – October 2023
University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville, SC
Doctor of Medicine, Cum Laude – 2014 – 2018
Furman University – Greenville, SC
B.S. Health Sciences, Magna Cum Laude – May 2014
- Awards:
Phi Beta Kappa Society
Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society
Leadership & Professional Activities:
Ochsner General Surgery Chief Administrative Resident – 2022 – 2023
Ochsner Surgery Residency Ombudsman: Elected Representative – 2021 – 2023
Association of Women Surgeons, Ochsner Chapter: President – 2020 – 2023
Univ. of Queensland Medical School Resident Teaching Award: Recipient – 2020
The Resident’s Lounge Podcast: Guest Speaker, April 2020 Episode – 2020
Univ. of Queensland Surgical Skills Lab: Medical Student Instructor – 2018 – 2021
Medical School Leadership:
- Class of 2018 Student Government: Vice President – 2014 – 2018
- Trauma/Emergency Interest Group: Vice President
- Medical Roots Garden: President
USCSOMG Admissions Committee: Interviewer – 2017
Research Experience:
Multicentric Breast Abscesses in a Patient with COVID-19: A Case Report
- Authors: Mary Van Wert MD, Micheal Ghio MD, Caroline Graham PA-C, Dana Smetherman MD, Ronda Sanders MD, Ralph Corsetti MD
- Journal Publication: The Ochsner Journal 2021
Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients: A Single Institution Experience
- Authors: Mary K. Van Wert MD, Jaron Pettis MD, Bobby Nossaman MD, Brian Strollo MD
- Virtual Presentation: LA-ACS Annual Meeting 2021
- Authors: H. Harvak Hajebian MD, Salomon Puyana MD, Natalia Mejia BS, Mary K. Van Wert MD, Christopher R. Babycos MD, Michael T. Friel MD
- Journal Publication: Annals of Plastic Surgery, Vol 90, No. 6S, June 2023
The Outcomes of Reduction Mammaplasty in Adolescents versus Middle Aged Patients: A 3-Year Single Center Retrospective Analysis
- Authors: H. Harvak Hajebian BS, Salomon Puyana MD, MS, Mary K. Van Wert MD, Michael T. Friel MD, Christopher R. Babycos MD
- Virtual Presentation: Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2021 (October 2021)
- Authors: H. Harvak Hajebian BS, Igor Burko MD, Salomon Puyana MD, Mary K. Van Wert MD, Abigail Chaffin MD, David Jansen MD
- Online Publication: EPlasty, Surgery Learning Network, August 2022
Research Associate Project Participant in EM, Radiology, & Surgery (RAPPERS) – 2015 – 2018
Coordinator and Student Liaison
- Poster Presentation USCSOMG Student Research Day, April 2016