Biographical summary
Antonio J. Forte, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., is a microvascular plastic and reconstructive surgeon with clinical interests and deep experience in microsurgical treatment of lymphedema and migraine surgery.
As an expert in treating lymphedema after breast cancer, Dr. Forte offers an innovative procedure called Lymphovenous Bypass Surgery, which can treat lymphedema that results from cancer treatment. People travel to Mayo Clinic in Florida from throughout the United States and abroad for this outpatient procedure, which uses specialized microsurgery techniques to help patients' affected limbs drain fluid more efficiently, reduce swelling and improve their function and quality of life.
Dr. Forte also specializes in occipital and supraorbital nerve decompression for migraines associated with trigger sites. The decompression surgery addresses nerve-related migraine trigger points. Individuals who undergo migraine surgery often report a reduction in the frequency, severity and duration of their migraine headaches.
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Forte is also devoted to research. He is constantly looking to improve outcomes and promote efficiencies in physicians and nurses' workflow by leveraging digital
technologies. In addition, Dr. Forte is studying how to objectively assess post-surgical pain using sensors and AI to analyze biomarkers. He is also working in the area of surgical device development and the discovery of individualized treatment algorithms that can lead to improved patient care.
Watch Dr. Forte's video on Lymphovenous Bypass Surgery for Lymphedema.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
- Breast reconstruction
- Cosmetic surgery
- Hand surgery
- Lymphovenous bypass
- Nerve decompression
Interests
- Migraine surgery
- Lymphatic surgery
- Hand surgery
- Peripheral nerve surgery
- Aesthetic surgery
- Breast surgery
- Hand rejuvenation
- Microsurgery
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2022
Certificate - Mastering Design ThinkingMassachusetts Institute of Technology
- 2022
Certificate - MIT Sloan Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation and ApplicationMassachusetts Institute of Technology
- 2022
Certificate - AI for EveryoneDeepLearning.AI
- 2017
PhD - Sciences/ Field: Clinical Surgery / Sub-Field: Plastic SurgeryUniversity of São Paulo Medical School
- 2015
Fellow - Hand and Microsurgery FellowshipThe Buncke Clinic
- 2014
Residency - Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryYale University School of Medicine
- 2009
Masters - PharmacologyFederal University of Ceara Medical School, Brazil
- 2006
MD - Magna cum Laude distinctionFederal University of Ceara Medical School, Brazil
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2018
Hand SurgeryAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery
- 2016
Plastic SurgeryAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2022
Best Breast Paper AwardAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2021
Plastic Surgical Nursing (PSN) Journal Awards - 3rd Best PaperAmerican Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses
- 2019
Florida Academic Mentoring ProgramMayo Clinic
- 2018
Harry J Buncke Society MembershipThe Buncke Clinic
- 2017
Publons Peer Review Award 2018 - Gold MedalPublons
- 2017
Physician Engagement AwardMayo Clinic in Florida
- 2016
Physician's Recognition AwardAmerican Medical Association
- 2014
6th EPSRC Best Poster AwardEuropean Plastic Surgery Research Council
- 2014
ASPS Best Craniomaxillofacial Presentation AwardAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2014
Who's Who in America 2015, 69th editionMarquis Who's Who in America
- 2014
The New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons Resident's Night 2014 Research Award - 3rd PlaceNew York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2014
Best Clinical Research - 17th Annual Yale Plastic Surgery Research AwardYale University School of Medicine
- 2014
Scholarship Award for Best InService Exam Score - Yale Plastic SurgeryYale University School of Medicine
- 2013
Physician's Recognition AwardAmerican Medical Association
- 2013
Best Clinical Research - 16th Annual Yale Plastic Surgery Research AwardYale University School of Medicine
- 2013
Most-read Journal Article in 2012 by Plastic SurgeonsMedscape Website
- 2010
Scholarship Award for Best InService Exam Score - Yale Plastic SurgeryYale University School of Medicine
- 2008
Best Clinical Research - 11th Annual Yale Plastic Surgery Research AwardYale University School of Medicine
- 2007
National Council for Scientific and Technological Development ScholarshipNational Council for Scientific and Technological Development
- 2004
UNIBRAL ScholarshipGerman Academic Exchange Service
- 2004
Human Physiology ScholarshipFederal University of Ceara Medical School
- 2004
German Academic Exchange GrantGerman Academic Exchange Service
- 2002
Cardiovascular Surgery Research and Training Program ScholarshipFederal University of Ceara Medical School
- 2002
Berlin Biomedical Exchange Office ScholarshipBerlin Biomedical Exchange Office
- 2002
Scientific Initiation ScholarshipNational Council for Scientific and Technological Development
- 1999
Second Best Grade on Medical School Admission Exam out of 2500 candidatesFederal University of Ceara Medical School
Professional memberships
- 2023 - present
MemberPlummer Chart Subcommittee
- 2022
Advisory Council MemberMayo Clinic
- 2022 - present
Study Section MemberAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2021 - 2022
Search Committee memberMayo Clinic in Florida
- 2021 - 2022
Search Committee memberMayo Clinic in Florida
- 2021 - 2022
MemberClinical Research Operations Group
- 2020 - 2022
MemberAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2020 - 2021
MemberPlastic Surgery Research Council Committee
- 2020 - 2024
MemberPlastic Surgery Research Council Committee
- 2020 - present
AdvocateInnovation Advocates
- 2020 - 2021
Subcommittee MemberMayo Clinic in Florida
- 2019 - 2024
MemberPlastic Surgery Research Council Committee
- 2019 - present
Active MemberAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- 2019 - present
Active MemberAmerican Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM)
- 2019 - present
Active MemberSoutheastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2019 - present
Active MemberPlastic Surgery Research Council
- 2018 - 2020
MemberPlastic Surgery Specialty Council, Mayo Clinic Specialty Councils, Mayo Clinic Clinical Practice Committee
- 2018 - present
Candidate MemberAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)
- 2017 - 2020
MemberDepartment of Surgery Clinical Trials Committee
- 2016 - 2018
Subcommittee MemberInternational Activities Subcommittee
- 2016 - present
Local MemberGreater Jacksonville Society of Plastic Surgery
- 2014 - 2015
MemberACGME Program Evaluation Committee, The Buncke Clinic
Publications
Research activities