EVMS Facial Plastic Surgery - William Dougherty MD Featured

Dr. William Dougherty is a Kentucky native with strong Virginia ties. He graduated the University of Virginia and completed medical school at the University of Kentucky, where he was honored as the valedictorian of his graduating medical school class. After medical school, he returned to UVA and completed a five-year residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. While at UVA, he trained under a highly-regarded facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Park. Dr. Dougherty’s strong interest in facial plastic surgery led him to pursue additional fellowship training at Oregon Health Sciences University, one of the oldest and most prestigious facial plastic surgery fellowships in the country. While studying in Portland under internationally-renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Tom Wang, Dr. Dougherty mastered the latest techniques in facial fillers/botox, rhinoplasty, facelift, browlift, eyelid surgery, facial paralysis treatment, cleft lip/palate surgery, and facial reconstruction.

Dr. Dougherty believes that surgical consultations require a collaborative approach with his patients through honest and open communication. He encourages active participation from his patients in determining the goals of their surgery or minimally-invasive treatment. Dr. Dougherty’s goal with any facial procedure is to provide a natural, refreshed appearance for the patient, avoiding an “operated” look.

Dr. Dougherty’s professional interests include all aspects of facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He is the director of the Facial Nerve Center at EVMS, which focuses on caring for patients with facial paralysis from Bell’s palsy, tumors, and other conditions. Rehabilitation of patients with facial paralysis is one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. Dr. Dougherty is also passionate about delivering humanitarian medical care abroad as a cleft lip and palate surgeon. He has traveled in the past to India, Kenya, and Peru and is planning an upcoming cleft medical mission trip to Ethiopia.