Michael A. Howard, MD

Michael A. Howard, MD

4.9 
686 ratings  Read Reviews
Northwestern Medicine logoNorthwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Plastic Surgery

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HealthBeat

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Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy

Learn about the types of breast reconstruction surgery and its impact on mental health and self-esteem after mastectomy.

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Practice Focus Areas

  • Body Contouring
  • Brachial Plexus Reconstruction
  • Breast Aesthetic/Body
  • Breast Cancer Reconstruction
  • Reconstructive Microvascular Surgery
  • Reconstructive Surgery
  • Targeted Muscle Reinnervation

Education

Medical Education:
MD, Emory University School of Medicine - 1997
Residency:
MedStar Health/Georgetown University - 2003
Fellowships:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - 2004

Media

Meet The Doctor 1:57
Meet The Doctor
October 21, 2020

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Plastic Surgery - Plastic Surgery (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Health System Clinician, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:
Northwestern Medical Group
Physician Category:
Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.9
4.9 

686 Ratings

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Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

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100 Most Recent Reviews

August 31, 2021

5.0

I want to live to see my children grow up. To see my children have children. I feel that will happen.

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August 31, 2021

5.0

Very thorough, listened, diagnosed and his surgical skills are second to none.

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August 31, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard & the staff are wonderful

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August 28, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard is the best! He is very professional. He also made my nerves about my procedure go away by talking me through the process.

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August 27, 2021

5.0

He has a great personality & I trust his work from a friend recommendation

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August 27, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard is patient, kind and always takes the time to listen and explain your options.

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August 24, 2021

5.0

He has been my reconstructive surgeon for over 14 years. He is a talented and caring doctor.

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August 13, 2021

5.0

His manner and talent is perfect!

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August 13, 2021

5.0

Very competent & compassionate. Takes time to explain procedures.

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August 11, 2021

5.0

Great surgeon and awesome bedside manner! Was very patient in explaining the procedure and was realistic with explaining the outcome and what to expect.

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August 09, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard has a wonderful bedside manner. Easy to talk with & welcomes questions. I didnt feel rushed at all

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August 05, 2021

5.0

Very friendly and personable

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August 05, 2021

5.0

Concern for patient

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July 31, 2021

5.0

Attentive , caring and good at what he does

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July 28, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard spends an incredible amount of time asking questions and making you feel at ease.

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July 28, 2021

5.0

The doctor is amazing!

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July 27, 2021

5.0

He knew his stuff

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July 24, 2021

5.0

Dr went above and beyond to offer me care that had been lacking in my healthcare. I have hope for the first time for the best results. Dr. Patiently listened and answered all of our questions offering thorough explanations.

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July 24, 2021

5.0

Patient, caring

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July 20, 2021

5.0

He is very kind n compassionate n strives to address whatever a person’s concerns are.

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July 20, 2021

5.0

He is the best plastic surgeon with a heart of gold.

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July 14, 2021

5.0

He was very kind and personable. He was easy to talk to and had a pleasant way about him.

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July 11, 2021

5.0

He is excellent. He explains everything. He does fantastic work!

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July 02, 2021

5.0

Great surgeon and listens

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June 29, 2021

5.0

Knowledge, compassion, communication, thoroughnesss, expertise

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June 25, 2021

5.0

He gets the whole breast cancer thing. A true gem. Really no words, he’s just the best

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June 25, 2021

5.0

Great care

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June 22, 2021

5.0

I immediately loved Dr. Howard. He just seemed so genuine right from the start!

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June 22, 2021

5.0

Everyone in his office is caring and compassionate you never feel rushed.

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June 18, 2021

5.0

He does excellent work! I'm a very happy patient!

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June 15, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard was very kind and thoughtful. Dr. Howard throughly explained my options and the procedures available to me.

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June 11, 2021

5.0

he is a very talented surgeon!

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June 05, 2021

5.0

Professional demeanor excellent results

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June 01, 2021

5.0

Most excellent Doctor skills and extremely personable demeanor with patients.

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May 28, 2021

5.0

Thorough and caring

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May 25, 2021

5.0

He took time to answer my questions n to explain the process.

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May 25, 2021

5.0

He is kind, and listens to a patient’s needs.

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May 21, 2021

5.0

Doctor was very encouraging and very knowledgeable.

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May 19, 2021

5.0

Very knowledgeable and personable

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May 19, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard is the best.

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May 18, 2021

5.0

He is good at what he does.

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May 18, 2021

5.0

Skilled and compassionate surgeon

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May 18, 2021

5.0

He's great. In fact I had already recommended him to my sister after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a bilateral masectomy and reconstruction surgery.

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May 18, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard took his time explaining the procedure and answered my questions.

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May 18, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard is phenomenal. He is attentive, he listens, he treats me like a person, and he explains the treatment plan in a way that is easy to understand.

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May 17, 2021

5.0

Doctor Howard was very informative, and did an awesome job on the laceration.

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May 16, 2021

5.0

Excellent doctor always puts his patients first

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May 15, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard is the best out there and I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a plastic surgeon for breast augmentation.

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May 14, 2021

5.0

Extremely warm and funny, and very knowledgeable.

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May 13, 2021

5.0

Sincerely the most talented surgeon. Also truly cared about my comfort and outcome.

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May 11, 2021

5.0

His skill and heart.

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May 11, 2021

5.0

The doctor came recommended by the ER physician, they said I'll really like him and they were right! Dr Howard was phenomenal. Such a friendly demeanor, helped me understand in non-doctor terms what was happening to the nerves in my face and what my options were. I wish I needed him for more reasons but it's probably good that I don't. If I know anyone that needs his services I will absolutely recommend Dr Howard.

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May 09, 2021

5.0

Honest

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May 06, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard and his team are incredible. Very caring and professional with the much added bonus of having a great sense of humor

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May 04, 2021

5.0

Very straightforward and honest and gets to the point in a very easy way to understand.

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May 04, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard made me feel comfortable with the procedure

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May 04, 2021

5.0

Excellent care provided by the the whole team...Dr Howard is the nicest ,the most caring doctor! Thank you again!!

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April 30, 2021

5.0

I trust him

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April 30, 2021

5.0

I've already recommended him to others, including my sister. He makes me feel at ease and confident in his work.

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April 27, 2021

5.0

He is excellent and cares. He has been working very hard to find a resolution to my issue.

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April 27, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard was thorough, wanting to make sure I understood, patient and kind.

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April 27, 2021

5.0

He is very knowledgeable and kind. He gave me several options for my situation.

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April 27, 2021

5.0

Always made me feel comfortable and really listened to me.

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April 23, 2021

5.0

Wonderful surgeon and person.

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April 23, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard is gifted-by-God! Although this was my first experience with plastic surgery, based on my sister’s experience with liposuction, I’m glad I could not afford to have it done than to be diagnosed with breast cancer n have need of my fat tissues which replaced my breast tissue - Dr Howard did an outstanding job on my abdominal area - better than I could have hoped for! I’ve never had a flat tummy - it’s been with since birth - 68yrs ago! He was also very kind, expressed care n allowed me to ask questions then he provided explanations I could understand.

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April 20, 2021

5.0

My surgery was intense but I would and have recommended his services.

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April 19, 2021

5.0

I had an incision down the whole side of my face and you would only see the scar if I told you to look from it. He is warm, reassuring highly skilled!

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April 18, 2021

5.0

Because he cares.

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April 17, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard spends an incredible amount of time answering all of your concerns and making you feel very at ease. I would recommend him to anyone.

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April 16, 2021

5.0

He did NOT tell me what I wanted to hear, which upset me. But he took the time to discuss every aspect of the procedure and explained everything in detail. Including that I may have been given some information that was not exactly accurate. If I am able to have the procedure done, I want Dr. Howard to preform it.

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April 16, 2021

5.0

He takes the time to explain things to you. He treats you like a person not a patient or client. I’ve been seeing Dr Howard for a year and 7 months do to the severity of cancer on my face. From the first day to today he’s been my constant and so supportive. Not sure I could have handle this with another doctor. He’s my Angel.

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April 16, 2021

5.0

Attentive and helpful

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April 15, 2021

5.0

All around great

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April 06, 2021

5.0

Extremely skilled, takes time with and interest in patients, listens, asks questions, advises honestly.

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April 06, 2021

5.0

Caring listener. Easy to talk to talk to

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March 24, 2021

5.0

I like him. Will see how the scar works out. Smile.

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March 24, 2021

5.0

Very personable

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March 23, 2021

5.0

Patient care

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March 19, 2021

5.0

See comments above

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March 19, 2021

5.0

I didn’t expect certain aspects of pain but these were immediately addressed by Dr Howard . Would have also appreciated written post op instructions.

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March 19, 2021

5.0

Very easy to talk to. Tells you all he can and will do. Tells you cost and what our what insurance will cover. Most friendliest person in medical I've ever met.

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March 17, 2021

5.0

Dr Howard is am amazing surgeon who truly cares about his patients and their expectations and goals. He spends the time to listen to me and always addresses my concerns. I feel very fortunate to have Dr Howard as my surgeon.

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March 16, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard was amazing. He made me feel extremely comfortable. Not only is he kind hearted but also reminded me of my father. Very caring and ready to help and find a solution. I am very excited to continue my care with him.

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March 16, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard was very personable and made me feel at ease and ready for this important surgery!

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March 16, 2021

5.0

Very thorough and professional and explains things straight forward

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March 13, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard will guide you to the best treatment that is medically necessary and no more

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March 12, 2021

5.0

Thus far Dr. Howard has been very thorough. I will score him a ten if the results match the pre-surgical care.

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March 08, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard was late for my appt and made sure I understood he was behind schedule. His staff was very helpful and made sure I was comfortable. Once I saw Dr. Howard I immediately liked him and felt comfortable with him. He explained his rationale for postponing my procedure, I will definitely return to him and recommend him.

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March 06, 2021

5.0

Highly skilled and compassionate

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March 04, 2021

5.0

So knowledgable and respectful to yuh our needs.

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March 04, 2021

5.0

My son was extremely pleased as was my husband with the bedside manner expertise and professionalism of the doctor. They had complete confidence in him and would highly recommend him in the future.

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March 02, 2021

5.0

He gets your trust immediately. You know he has your interests at heart.

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March 02, 2021

5.0

He explains everything to you and gives you all the time you need for questions. He’s a wonderful doc.

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February 23, 2021

5.0

Dr. Howard is great. Very thorough, compassionate, and explains in detail, and helps you understand the next steps that is best for you. I recommend his office to my sister who just found out she has breast cancer and will be undergoing same treatment. Certainly a 10+ on the scale.

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February 22, 2021

5.0

He explained everything to me, answered all my questions and last he stated that my safety was of upmost concern.

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February 18, 2021

5.0

He’s good and makes you comfortable.

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February 16, 2021

5.0

He was very comforting and made my 8 year old laugh and feel at ease. He also was extremely knowledgeable.

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November 13, 2020

5.0

Great doctor!

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November 13, 2020

5.0

Patient and kind

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November 13, 2020

5.0

Great care

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