About Steven J. Montante, MD
Dr. Steven J. Montante is a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures in Richmond, Virginia. He grew up in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, and as a 4th grader at Luzerne Avenue Elementary, he developed a keen interest in science that quickly blossomed into a desire to pursue a career in medicine. From that time forth, he set his sights on achieving his dream. Dr. Montante attended the Scranton Preparatory School, where he studied Latin, classical Greek, literature, and science. While at the Jesuit prep school, his passion for science and artistry was born. Since leaving the school, he has continued to follow their motto of being “born for higher things”. After his formative years at Scranton Prep, Dr. Montante attended another Jesuit institution, the University of Scranton. As an undergraduate student, he majored in biology with a concentration in the cellular and molecular levels. He participated in several research projects that involved applying molecular techniques to answer various question concerning animal population biology. Although science was his major area of focus, Dr. Montante also developed an interest in philosophy, studying the works of Plato and Nietzsche. While at the university, Dr. Montante was chosen for a research fellowship at the well-known Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Scranton with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Philosophy. In 1991 following his undergraduate education, Dr. Montante transitioned to medical school at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, which is among the top 20 medical schools in the U.S. Showing great potential in science and clinical coursework, he received the Dr. Richard J. Behan Prize for Outstanding Performance in Surgery. Dr. Montante also took part in several research projects in one of the laboratories affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh’s world-renowned solid organ transplant program. Dr. Montante then attended the Medical College of Virginia at the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1995, joining the Plastic Surgery Residence Program, which was founded by Dr. I. Kelman Cohen, MD. To delve deeper into the understanding of wound healing biology, Dr. Montante served as a research fellow of Dr. Cohen and Dr. Dorne Yeager, PhD, the director of the Wound Healing Lab at VCU. He conducted biologic dressing technologies research and published several research articles in peer-reviewed journals on the topic of wound healing biology. Dr. Montante completed his training under Dr. Austin Mehrhof, with an emphasis on post weight loss body contouring, facial surgery, and hand reconstruction. Since the completion of his training in 2003, Dr. Montante has been committed to honing his surgical skills. He started as an associate at Plastic Surgery Associates of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. He then became part of the faculty at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Division of Plastic Surgery. While at VCU, he was very involved with resident education, serving as the Assistant Program Director of the Plastic Surgery Residency Program. He was also very involved in improving patient experience and safety in surgery as well as medical informatics. Seeking a new challenge, Dr. Montante progressed to Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio. At SOMC, Dr. Montante was instrumental in establishing a breast reconstruction service as part of a comprehensive breast cancer treatment program. As the sole plastic surgeon, Dr. Montante brought his extensive experience to provide complex reconstructive and aesthetic surgery to a small community. In 2014, Dr. Montante returned to Richmond to continue his practice. In July of 2017, Dr. Montante and Shelly opened Montante Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics to provide excellence in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery to the Greater Richmond community. Dr. Montante performs a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, with added expertise in facial rejuvenation surgery and body contouring after weight loss. He has considerable experience with oncoplastic techniques for breast reconstruction and hand surgery.
