Biographical summary
Brian Rinker, M.D., is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in advanced hand surgery, breast reconstruction, reconstructive microsurgery and aesthetic procedures. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with additional subspecialty qualifications in hand surgery.
Dr. Rinker received his medical degree from Yale University and completed training in general surgery at New York University Medical Center, followed by residency training in plastic surgery and a fellowship in hand surgery. His background combines expertise in plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and upper extremity care, allowing him to treat both functional and aesthetic concerns with highly specialized surgical techniques.
His clinical expertise includes hand and upper extremity surgery for such conditions as peripheral nerve injuries, tendon disorders, compression neuropathies and complex reconstructive challenges following cancer treatment or trauma. Dr. Rinker also specializes in reconstructive surgery of the face, trunk and extremities, including advanced breast reconstruction using microsurgical procedures such as the DIEP flap.
"I believe the best outcomes start with understanding what matters most to each patient," says Dr. Rinker. "I don't see a divide between aesthetic and functional procedures. In all cases we use our experience and techniques to improve lives for our patients. I feel enormously grateful to have been given the opportunity to transform lives in this way."
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Rinker is recognized internationally for his contributions to plastic surgery and hand surgery, through research, education and surgical innovation. He is actively involved in training future surgeons at Mayo Clinic.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Rinker enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and supporting the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Procedures performed
Interests
- Aesthetic surgery of the face and body
- Microsurgery
- Breast surgery
- Gender affirmation surgery
- Peripheral nerve surgery
- Hand surgery
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2002
Fellow - Hand SurgeryNew York University Medical Center
- 2001
Residency - Plastic SurgeryNew York University Medical Center
- 1999
Residency - General SurgeryNew York University Medical Center
- 1996
MDYale University School of Medicine
- 1992
BA - ChemistryDartmouth College
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2004
Hand SurgeryAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery
- 2003
Plastic SurgeryAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2017
Award for Most Impactful and Interesting Article in Hand for Calendar Year 2016Hand Journal
- 2016
Founders Award for Best Member Paper PresentedAnnual Meeting, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2016
Glancy Award - Faculty AdvisorSoutheastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2015
Best Paper SessionAnnual Meeting, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- 2015
Best of the Regional Societies SessionAnnual Meeting, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2014
Outstanding Paper of the MeetingCombined Meeting, American Society for Peripheral Nerve, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery
- 2013
Award for Outstanding Contributions to Peripheral Nerve ResearchRANGER
- 2013
Glancy Award - Faculty AdvisorSoutheastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2013
Best Breast Paper for Calendar Year 2012Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- 2011
Professional Student Mentored Research Fellowship - MentorCenter for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Kentucky
- 2009
Sumner L. Koch, MD Award for Most Outstanding Paper PresentedAnnual Meeting, American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- 2008
Dean's Patient Satisfaction AwardUniversity of Kentucky
- 2006
Teaching AwardDepartment of Surgery, University of Kentucky
- 2006
1st Place - Faculty AdvisorAOA Student Research Competition, University of Kentucky
- 2006
Glancy Award Runner Up - Faculty AdvisorSoutheastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2005
Glancy Award - Faculty AdvisorSoutheastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2001
IRPS Resident Research AwardNew York University
- 1998
ValedictorianNortheast Bradford High School
- 1998
National Merit ScholarshipNational Merit Scholarship Corporation
- 1996
Cum LaudeYale University
- 1996
Alpha Omega AlphaYale University
- 1992
Magna Cum LaudeDartmouth College
- 1992
Phi Beta KappaDartmouth College
- 1992
Tucker Foundation Service AwardDartmouth College
- 1992
Merck Student Research AwardDartmouth College
- 1990
Rufus Choate ScholarDartmouth College
- 1988
Thomas J. Watson ScholarshipThomas J. Watson Memorial Scholarship Program
Professional memberships
- 2018 - present
MemberAmerican Association of Plastic Surgeons, Membership Committee
- 2017 - 2018
MemberResearch and Education Committee, American Association of Plastic Surgeons
- 2016 - 2019
TrusteeSoutheastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2016 - 2018
MemberInstitute for Arts in Medicine Committee, University of Kentucky
- 2016 - present
MemberSelection Committee, Zwischenberger Rounsavall Fund for Innovation in Surgical Research and Education, University of Kentucky
- 2016 - present
Oral Board ExaminerAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery
- 2015 - 2018
Program DirectorPlastic Surgery Residency, University of Kentucky College of Medicine
- 2015 - 2018
MemberGraduate Medical Education Committee, University of Kentucky College of Medicine
- 2015 - 2018
MemberEducation Committee, Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky
- 2015 - 2018
MemberEducation Committee, Plastic Surgery Research Council
- 2015 - 2018
MemberResident Competition Committee, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2015 - present
ChairmanResearch Grant Committee, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2013 - 2018
MemberClinical Competencies Committee, University of Kentucky College of Medicine
- 2013 - 2016
JudgeResident Jeopardy, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2013 - 2015
MemberScientific Program Committee, American Association of Plastic Surgeons
- 2012 - 2016
MemberPublic Education Committee, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2012 - 2014
MemberResearcher Education Committee, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2012 - 2014
MemberResearch and Education Committee, American Association of Plastic Surgeons
- 2012 - present
MemberAmerican Association of Plastic Surgeons
- 2011 - 2016
MemberResearch Grant Committee, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2011 - 2013
MemberFinance Committee, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2011
FacultyWomen's Health Update, Center for the Advancement of Women's Health, University of Kentucky
- 2010 - 2018
MemberScientific Program Committee, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2010 - 2017
MemberSurgical Value Analysis Team, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center
- 2010 - 2012
MemberClinical and Evidence Based Research Committee, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2009 - 2018
Medical DirectorHand Surgery Service, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center
- 2009 - 2018
MemberScientific Program Committee, Plastic Surgery Research Council
- 2009 - 2012
MemberResident Competition Committee, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2009
MemberPractice Plan Committee, Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky
- 2008 - 2009
PresidentKentucky Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2008
MemberTask Force for 1st Start Surgeries, University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center
- 2007
MemberResearch Committee, Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky
- 2007 - present
FellowAmerican College of Surgeons
- 2006 - 2018
Course DirectorHand and Upper Extremity, Surgery Elective, University of Kentucky
- 2005 - 2008
Secretary/TreasurerKentucky Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2005 - present
MemberAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand
- 2005 - present
MemberSoutheastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2004 - present
MemberAmerican Association for Hand Surgery
- 2004 - present
MemberAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons
- 2004 - present
MemberPlastic Surgery Research Council
- 2003
DiplomateAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery
- 2003 - present
MemberAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery
- 2003 - present
MemberKentucky Society of Plastic Surgeons
Publications
Research activities