LOS ALTOS, Calif. - s4story -- Dr. Harry Mittelman, a Holocaust survivor, U.S. Air Force veteran, medical innovator, educator and longtime Bay Area facial plastic surgeon, has announced his retirement after 52 years of patient care and service to the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Mittelman was born in 1941, while his Jewish parents were fleeing Nazi persecution during the Holocaust. His parents had escaped their home near Warsaw, Poland, in search of safety, but were later imprisoned by Soviet authorities and forced to work in a steel plant. As an infant, Dr. Mittelman was placed in a nursery until his mother was able to regain custody after the war.

The family eventually made its way to the United States by way of Venezuela, arriving in Kansas City when he was nine years old.

He entered school two years behind his age group, but quickly caught up, skipped grades and earned multiple university scholarships. He attended Washington University in St. Louis, followed by medical school at the University of Kansas.

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After completing his residency, Dr. Mittelman served as a major in the U.S. Air Force at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He later returned to the Bay Area, opened his private practice in 1974 and joined the clinical faculty at Stanford University.

Throughout his career, Dr. Mittelman became known for innovation. He helped advance office-based laser surgery and participated in developing medical uses for sealed-off laser technology. A company he helped establish was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson. He also designed and patented the Mittelman Extended Chin Implant and Mittelman Pre-Jowl Implant, both of which became widely used in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Mittelman lectured nationally on laser technology and techniques to improve facial cosmetic surgery outcomes. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery recognized his contributions with the F. Mark Rafaty Memorial Award and the William K. Wright Award. He was also formally recognized for his leadership as Chair of the Academy's Emerging Issues and Ethics Committee.

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For approximately 20 years, he also served as a fellowship director, training surgeons who wanted to specialize in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

"Having been born during the Holocaust, at a time when very few Jewish families could safely bring children into the world, I have often reflected that I may be among the youngest living Holocaust survivors," Dr. Mittelman said.

Now 85, Dr. Mittelman is retiring with gratitude to his patients, staff, colleagues and family. He plans to spend more time with his wife, four children and 10 grandchildren, while continuing to enjoy golf.

For additional information, visit www.mittelmanplasticsurgery.com.