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Title Institute & Department Chairman
Department Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Both Adults and Children & Adolescents
Languages English, German
Surgeon Yes
Locations Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Department of Pediatric Plastic Surgery
  • Health and Wellness
  • Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+) Health
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Septoplasty
View all 5 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Adult and Pediatric Facial Trauma
  • Aging Body
  • Aging Skin or Painful Skin
  • Benign Maxillofacial Tumors
  • Benign Skull Base Tumors
  • Benign Tumors of the Head
  • Benign Tumors of the Neck
  • Birth Defects
  • Cleft Lip
  • Cleft Palate
  • Craniofacial Disorders
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Dentofacial Deformities
  • Dermabrasion
  • Eagle Syndrome
  • Entropion
  • Excess Skin after Weight Loss
  • Eyelid Tumors
  • Facial Aging
  • Facial Nerve Disorders
  • Facial Nerve Paralysis
  • Head and Neck Masses
  • Head and Neck Trauma
  • Head and Neck Tumors
  • Lipoma
  • Malignant Tumors of the Head
  • Mastectomy Defects
  • Maxillofacial Deformities
  • Moebius Syndrome
  • Moles
  • Nasal Cavity Cancer
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Nasal Fractures
  • Nasal Obstruction
  • Nasal Polyps
  • Nasal Valve Collapse
  • Nose Deformity
  • Nose or Nasal Problems
  • Nosebleed
  • Parotid Gland Problems
  • Parotid Tumors
  • Pediatric Birthmark
  • Pediatric Craniofacial Disorders
  • Pediatric Head and Neck Cancer
  • Ptosis
  • Salivary Gland Diseases
  • Sinusitis
  • Skull Base Lesions
  • Vascular Malformations
View all 49 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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Biography

About Francis Papay, MD

Frank Papay, MD, has been appointed Chairman of the Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Papay has been a member of Cleveland Clinic's professional staff since 1992. He also serves as Section Head of Craniofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is an Professor of Surgery in Cleveland Clinic's Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University.

In his new role, Dr. Papay plans to design and establish a world-class multidisciplinary approach to patient-oriented care relating to complex dermatological diseases, plastic surgical reconstruction, aesthetic surgery and services. The Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute will provide the Cleveland Clinic Health System with value-added subspecialty care that focuses on all aspects of dermatology, human form and function and aesthetic rejuvenation.

Dr. Papay has been recognized as a Top Doc in plastic surgery by Cleveland magazine and Castle Connolly. Dr. Papay has served as President of the Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons, elected Chair of the American Society of Plastic Surgery's Ethics Committee, President of the Plastic Surgery Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Executive Committee Member of the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northern Ohio.

Dr. Papay has published over 100 scientific papers, abstracts and book chapters and holds five medical device patents. He has served as the Board Examiner of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Finalist Judge for the collegiate inventors' competition from the National Inventors Hall of Fame and invited section reviewer of several plastic surgery scientific journals.

Dr. Papay is currently completing his Executive Doctor of Management degree at the Weatherhead School of Management.

His clinical research interests include utilization of bone substitutes in cranofacial reconstruction, nasal valve function in rhinoplasty, facial plastic surgery and pediatric craniofacial anomalies and recently transfacial approaches for neuromodulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion for cluster and migraine headaches.

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
1992

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Primary Children's Hospital
Craniomaxillofacial/Ped Pla Su
Salt Lake City, UT USA
1992

Residency - Cleveland Clinic
Plastic Surgery
Cleveland, OH USA
1991

Residency - Cleveland Clinic
Otolaryngology
Cleveland, OH USA
1989

Medical Education - Northeast Ohio Univ. Col. of Med.
MD
Rootstown, OH
1984

Undergraduate - Ohio University
Chemistry/Zoology
Athens, OH USA
1975

Graduate School - Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Biomedical Engineering
Cleveland, OH USA

Additional Training

  • Craniomaxillofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Intermountain Craniofacial Center, Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, 1991-1992.Residency Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, 1989-1991.FellowshipGeorge and Grace Crile Traveling Surgical Fellowship, Maxillofacial Reconstruction, University of Basel Kantonsspital, Basel, Switzerland, March 1991 - May 1991.ResidencyOtolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 1985-1989.PreceptorshipFacial Plastic Surgery, New Orleans Facial Plastic Surgical Center, New Orleans, LA Calvin Johnson, MD - Director, February - May 1988.InternshipGeneral Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 1984-1985.Flexible Surgical InternshipRiverside Methodist Hospital,1983-84.

Professional Highlights

  • Surgical Team – First American Face Transplant – Total Lefort III maxillary zygomatic microvascular composite tissue allograft reconstruction
  • First Robotic Endoscopic Nerve Interpositional Graft: Pudendal Nerve – Sural Nerve Graft
  • First Endoscopic Repair of Skull Base CSF leaks
  • Fulcrum Spreader Graft for Internal Valve Nasal Collapse
  • Bone Anchored Facial Suspension for Facial Nerve Paralysis
  • Maxillary approach for neuromodulation of Sphenopalatine ganglion and Cluster/Migraine Headache

Certifications

  • Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  • Plastic Surgery

Specialty Interests

breast surgery, craniomaxillofacial, facial cosmetic, pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery, plastic surgery, rhinoplasty

Awards & Honors

  • George and Grace Crile Traveling Surgical Fellowship Award, 1989
  • Hall of Fame – Elyria High School, 2010
  • Innovation Award, Cleveland Clinic 2008, 2010, 2011
  • American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons – Best Clinical ASPS Journal Publication 2011 “First U.S. Near-Total Human Face Transplantation: A Paradigm Shift for Massive Complex Injuries” – 2nd Co-author
  • Best Design Poster, 1st Place, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, 2007
  • Kauffman Fellow Scholarship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurial Studies, 2007
  • Golden Scalpel Award, Plastic Surgery Teaching Award, Cleveland Clinic 1996
  • Ohio Valley Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Society Resident Research Award, 1990
  • A-O Synthes Maxillofacial International Scholarship, 1990
  • American College of Surgeons (Ohio Chapter), Surgical Research Award - Honorable Mention, 1990
  • Northeastern Ohio Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Research Award - 1st place, 1989
  • American Rhinologic Society Resident Essay Award - Honorable Mention, 1989
  • Student Leadership Award, Ohio State Medical Association, 1983
  • Outstanding Young Men in USA, Member National Jaycees, 1982
  • Melvin E. Jones Research Foundation Memorial Scholarship, 1981
  • Honor's College, Ohio University
  • National Honors Society, 1971
  • Best Doctors, Best Doctors, Inc. 2001 - present
  • Best Doctors, Plastic Surgery, Northeastern Ohio Live Magazine, 2001-present
  • Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, Marquis Who’s Who Publications
  • Who’s Who in Healthcare, Marquis Who’s Who Publications
  • Who’s Who in America, Marquis Who’s Who Publications
  • Guide to America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumers’ Research Council of America
  • America’s Best Doctors, Castle Connelly

Innovations & Patents

  • US Patent 6,423,019 Cranial Remodeling Headpiece
  • US Patent 6,460,207 Anti-SIDS Pediatric Headrest
  • US Patent 6,517,542 Modular Bone Anchoring System
  • US Patent 6,594,839 Surgical Headrest
  • US Patent 6,800,087 Blancett System for Temperature Regulation of Patient Patent Applications:US Patent App #20100143413 Apparatus and Method for Treating Neuromuscular Defect
  • US Patent App #20100185258 Surgical Guide & Method for Guiding therapy Delivery Device into the Pterygopalatine Fossa
  • US Patent App Iontophoretic Negative Pressure Wound Healing Device Surgical Innovation:Craniofacial Surgeon/Team Member-America's First Face Transplant
  • Robotic Endoscopic Repair of Pudendal Nerves during Radical Prostatectomy
  • Transnasal Endoscopic Repair of Sphenoid Sinus CS7 Leaks
  • Fulcrum Spreader Graft for Nasal Valve Repair
  • Trans Buccal Gingival Approach to Spenopalatine Ganglia

Memberships

  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons.
  • Fellow, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
  • Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Fellow, (Honorary) American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
  • Member, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
  • Member, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons.
  • Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
  • Member, American Association of Plastic Surgeons.
  • Member, International Society of Craniofacial Surgery.
  • Member, Ohio Valley Society for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
  • Member, American Cleft Palate - Craniofacial Association.
  • Member, Northeast Ohio Medical Society (executive committee).
  • Member, Professional Fellow, Weatherhead School of Business, Case Western Reserve
  • Member, Tissue Engineering Society.
  • Member, Robin Anderson Society (Plastic Surgical Alumni), Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
  • Member, A-O Maxillofacial Fellowship Alumni.
  • Member, Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (surgical representative –past)
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Francis Papay, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 1/9/2024, Dr. Papay has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Papay receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:

  • XII Medical, Inc.

Royalty Payments. Dr. Papay receives or has the right to receive royalty payments for inventions or discoveries commercialized through the companies shown below:

  • Ion-Vac, Inc.
  • XII Medical, Inc.

Right to Future Distribution of Cleveland Clinic Financial Interest. Dr. Papay may receive future financial benefits from the Cleveland Clinic for inventions or discoveries commercialized through the companies shown below:

  • XII Medical, Inc.
  • Ion-Vac, Inc.

Equity Dr. Papay owns stock or stock options in the following companies for activities as a founder, inventor, discover, developer:

  • Unify Medical
  • XII Medical, Inc.
  • Ion-Vac, Inc.
  • BrainX Community, LLC

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

97 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.8 out of 5
Explains 4.8
Listens 5
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.8

19 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2024

Provided excellent care and every aspect of experience was top notch. We are so thrilled to have found Dr. Papay!

Reviewed on Feb 9, 2024

I am so pleased that I found Dr. Papay as my surgeon! He's everything you want in a surgeon.

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2024

Both the Dr and nurse very knowledgeable and pleasant

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2024

Dr Papay is extremely knowledgeable and provides comprehensive compassionate care

Reviewed on Dec 19, 2023

I was very well taken care of by Dr. Papay and his team. Very impressed with care and follow up.

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

I just love Dr. Papay and his staff!

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

I can't say enough about how much I love Dr. Papay and all the PA's and nurses. And all the staff. I gladly drive 1 1/2 hours for my appointments.

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

I feel so glad that I chose Dr. Papay as my surgeon.

Reviewed on Sep 5, 2023

Dr. Papay is kind and knew exactly what he wants to do to help my problem, if my insurance allows it. He is very knowledgeable about his specialty and I feel that I wouldn't have anything to worry about if he performed my surgery. He put me at ease and had lots of ideas of how this situation could be handled with the least amount of risk and scarring, which I really appreciate.

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2023

Doctor Pompay was kind and understanding examining me. A man of compassion and empathy in regards to my situation.Reached out to help me Wrote a couple of perscriptions for me and gave me references to another plastic surgeon.A great doctor In my book.

Reviewed on Aug 9, 2023

I felt that my issue was treated as minor, or inconsequential. When I had questions that I thought were important, Dr. Papay would say things like "look, at least it's not cancer". This made my treatment feel trivial.

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2023

Dr Papay and his PA were very attentive and knowledgeable and helped me to understand outcomes

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2023

Phenomenal care provided by Dr Papay and his team.

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2023

Dr. Papay and Evalina are the best. Coming from out of town. I have been late to an appt. Twice. They are always quick to still fit me in quickly.

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2023

Dr. Papay and NP were amazing. They made my daughter very comfortable.

Reviewed on May 16, 2023

He is the most personable doctor I have met. I received outstanding care from Dr Papay.

Reviewed on May 10, 2023

Dr. Papay reviewed what was going on and made good suggestions. Very caring

Reviewed on May 10, 2023

Dr. Papay does a great job. He cares that the patient is satisfied.

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2023

Dr Pappay is wonderful

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