About Chet L. Nastala, MD
Dr. Nastala grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he developed his love for art, music, and science that ultimately led to his career choice in plastic surgery. His academic achievements earned him admission to Harvard University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, completing a thesis in biochemical sciences. Though he studied music, played piano and was captain of the Harvard golf team, his passion was science and research. Through his summer work in the cardiovascular laboratories he developed his skills and a keen interest in surgery. He entered Duke University Medical School, which offered a unique opportunity to pursue surgical research during medical school, and allowed him to present internationally in Stockholm on immunology and virology. His post-graduate training took him to The University of Pittsburgh to complete a nine-year training program in Surgery, Surgical Oncology Research and a Plastic Surgical Fellowship. Specializing in Reconstructive Microsurgery, Dr Nastala achieved numerous teaching awards including the Charles C Moore teaching award by the senior class. Dr Nastala moved to Texas in 1998 to join the faculty of University of Texas at the San Antonio Health Science Center. He served the community by providing microsurgical reconstruction to trauma victims all over South Texas, achieved national accreditation for the plastic surgical training program, mentored residents, and ultimately became both the residency director and head of plastic surgery, with responsibility for teaching, research, and administration. By developing the breast reconstruction program, he focused his interest on breast cancer care. Dr Nastala joined PRMA in 2002, focusing his efforts on developing one of the best breast reconstruction practices in the country, building on the solid foundation of the work begun by Dr. Pisano and Dr. Ledoux. Within several years, the practice grew to one of the busiest practices in Texas, now serving many out-of-state patients. He has served as President of the San Antonio International Society of Plastic Surgeons and is proud to be a key member of one of the most unique groups in the country. They are leaders in the field dedicated to providing superior clinical care, pioneering innovative techniques, performing research and publishing results in journals and current textbook chapters to educate other physicians in their field. They continue to develop and improve the results of the DIEP flap and improve patient outcomes. Few plastic surgeons in single or small group practices are able to provide the kind of microsurgical breast reconstruction performed at PRMA. In my opinion, there is no group of surgeons so supremely talented, humble, giving, and dedicated to the core mission of autologous breast reconstruction, as the surgeons of PRMA.
