Johanna Riesel

Dr. Riesel completed her plastic and reconstructive surgical training at Harvard University before completing a pediatric craniofacial fellowship at SickKids. During her time at Harvard, she was a primary author and researcher on the landmark publication, the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery.
Her clinical interests are in cleft and craniofacial surgery, facial reanimation, general paediatric reconstruction, surgical education, and global surgery. Her research interests include improving outcomes in endoscopic strip craniectomies, optimizing surgeon performance in the operating room through emotion regulation, and improving access to high-quality surgical care in limited-resource settings. She has presented her research both nationally and internationally.

She also obtained a Masters in Medical Health Professions Education through Maastricht and New York University to further her interest in optimizing surgeon performance by studying surgeon fear in the operating room. Additionally, Dr. Riesel is proud to serve as the Director of the Wellness Program for the University of Toronto Plastic Surgery Residents and sits as a member of the Residency Program Committee.'

2023 – Best Poster Presentation, International Society of Craniofacial Surgery
2022 – University of Toronto Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Program Early Career Award
2020 – J.G. McCarthy Visiting Scholar Award, American Society of Craniofacial Surgeons
2018 – Best Surgical Innovation Pitch; Harvard Surgical Program in Innovation
2015 – First Place Essay; RAS of The American College of Surgeons
2014 – The Wakley Essay Prize; The Lancet