About Dr. Dobratz and Dr. Dougherty

Eric Dobratz, MD

As a facial plastic surgeon I have dedicated all of my focus and training on patients who desire procedures for their face or neck.  I am devoted to providing my patients with beautiful and natural results.  I want all of my patients to be well informed and educated about their options.  I will take time to discuss all of your concerns and help to develop a plan together with you. - Eric Dobratz, MD

Dr. Eric Dobratz is the Director of EVMS Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in EVMS Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. He is also Board-certified in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Dobratz has a highly specialized practice where he focuses exclusively on plastic surgery of the face, head and neck. He has double board certifications from the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Dobratz is thrilled to be in practice at EVMS, where he completed his medical school training and received the honor of being elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. After medical school, he completed an internship in General Surgery and Residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Dobratz trained with a highly recognized facial plastic surgeon at the University of Virginia, Dr. Stephen Park, where he developed his skills in performing facial plastic surgery. During this time, Dr. Dobratz was also recognized for his research in tissue engineering; he was the first resident to be awarded the distinguished Leslie Bernstein Research Grant, through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Through this research, Dr. Dobratz was able to begin to develop a new technique to produce injectable tissue engineered cartilage for reconstruction of facial deformities.

Upon completion of his residency training, Dr. Dobratz was awarded a prestigious fellowship position with one of the nations’ leading facial plastic surgeons, Dr. Peter Hilger. Under the mentorship of Dr. Hilger and his team of facial plastic surgeons at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Dobratz honed his skills in the latest techniques in rhinoplasty, cosmetic surgery, and facial reconstruction, including the repair of congenital facial deformities and reconstruction after resection of facial skin cancers.

Dr. Dobratz considers it a privilege to help people desiring cosmetic or reconstructive surgery of the head and neck achieve their personal goals. He works with his patients to achieve their best possible results, focusing on creating a “non operated” look, providing patients with a refreshed and revitalized appearance.

William Dougherty, MD

Dr. William Dougherty is a Facial Plastic Surgeon in EVMS Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Dougherty’s specialized practice focuses on exclusively on plastic surgery of the head, neck and face.

Dr. Dougherty is a Kentucky native with strong Virginia ties. He graduated the University of Virginia and completed medical school at the University of Kentucky, where he was honored as the valedictorian of his graduating medical school class. After medical school, he returned to UVA and completed a five-year residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. While at UVA, he trained under a highly-regarded facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Park. Dr. Dougherty’s strong interest in facial plastic surgery led him to pursue additional fellowship training at Oregon Health Sciences University, one of the oldest and most prestigious facial plastic surgery fellowships in the country. While studying in Portland under internationally-renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Tom Wang, Dr. Dougherty mastered the latest techniques in facial fillers/botox, rhinoplasty, facelift, browlift, eyelid surgery, facial paralysis treatment, cleft lip/palate surgery, and facial reconstruction.

Dr. Dougherty believes that surgical consultations require a collaborative approach with his patients through honest and open communication. He encourages active participation from his patients in determining the goals of their surgery or minimally-invasive treatment. Dr. Dougherty’s goal with any facial procedure is to provide a natural, refreshed appearance for the patient, avoiding an “operated” look.

Dr. Dougherty’s professional interests include all aspects of facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He is the director of the Facial Nerve Center at EVMS, which focuses on caring for patients with facial paralysis from Bell’s palsy, tumors, and other conditions. Rehabilitation of patients with facial paralysis is one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. Dr. Dougherty is also passionate about delivering humanitarian medical care abroad as a cleft lip and palate surgeon. He has traveled in the past to India, Kenya, and Peru and is planning an upcoming cleft medical mission trip to Ethiopia.