Prabhat K. Bhama, M.D., MPH, FACS –
Double Board Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Otolaryngologist
Dr. Bhama was born and raised in Michigan. He completed his undergraduate and medical degree at the University of Michigan as a member of the Integrated Pre-Medical/Medical Program (Inteflex) which admitted only 35 students from around the country annually. He graduated with honors from medical school and then completed a 5 year otolaryngology – head and neck surgery residency at the University of Washington and affiliated hospitals focused exclusively on management of medical and surgical disorders of the head and neck. He also completed an additional 1 year intensive NIH funded research year in the Departments of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Biology at the University of Washington.
After residency, Dr. Bhama completed a two year fellowship in advanced facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Harvard Medical School and The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, where he trained at one of the busiest facial nerve centers in the country, and served as Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School. At that time, he also obtained a Master in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health. He is author on over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and has been an invited speaker internationally at surgical and medical conferences.
Prabhat K. Bhama, MD travels to Guatemala annually with HUGS Foundation, Inc. to perform pro-bono reconstructive surgery on patients born without ears (helpusgivesmiles.org). See Dr. Bhama’s Front Page story on the Herald. He holds an academic appointment as Clinical Instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Washington. He is double board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is one of the few teaching surgical faculty for the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health ACPSE accredited fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Bhama has been selected as a Seattle Magazine Top Doc for 2022, and has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for two years in a row.
See Dr. Bhama’s Front Page story on the Herald
Clinical Interests
Dr. Bhama performs reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the face, and has a particular interest in management of facial paralysis (facial nerve disorders), rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) and complex revision rhinoplasty, treatment of skin cancer and Mohs reconstruction, browlift/forehead lift, blepharoplasty, and maxillofacial trauma.
See Dr. Bhama’s interview on King 5 news to learn more about facial paralysis.
Post-graduate Training
- Residency (Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery) – University of Washington School of Medicine
- Fellowship (Advanced Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) – Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Education
- Medical School – University of Michigan Medical School, MD with honors (Inteflex program)
- Master of Public Health – Harvard School of Public Health
Board Certifications
- American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- American Board of Otolaryngology
Publications
Oral presentations
- American Association of Otolaryngologists of Indian Heritage. Oral Presentation. Bhama PK (presenter), Hillel AD, Merati AL, Perkel DJ. 2008
- American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting. Oral Presentation. Bhama PK (presenter), Hillel AD, Merati AL, Perkel DJ. 2008
- American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. Poster Presentation. Longstreet B, Bhama PK, Inglis A (presenter), Saltzman B, Perkins J. Improved airway visualization during direct laryngoscopy using self-retaining laryngeal retractors: A quantitative study. 2011
- Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section. Bhama PK (presenter), Davis GE, Bhrany AB, Lam DJ, Futran NF. The effects of intensive care unit staffing on patient outcomes following Microvascular free flap reconstruction of the head and neck: a pilot study. April 19, 2012
- Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section. Bhama PK (presenter), Weinberg J, Lindsay R, Hohman M, Cheney M, Hadlock T. Objective outcomes analysis following microvascular gracilis transfer for reanimation: A 10-year experience at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School. April 14, 2013
- 12th International Facial Nerve Symposium. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School. Bhama PK (presenter), Weinberg J, Lindsay R, Hohman M, Cheney M, Hadlock T. Objective outcomes analysis following microvascular gracilis transfer for reanimation: A 10-year experience at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School. June 30, 2013
- 12th International Facial Nerve Symposium. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School. Kozin E (presenter), Lindsay R, Bhama P, Hadlock T. Temporal bone fractures. July 1, 2013
- Grand Rounds – Nasal anatomy and function. Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation. Bethel, Alaska. April 7, 2015
- Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section. Lindsay R, Bhama P, Hohman M, Hadlock T. Prospective evaluation of quality of life improvement after correction of the alar base in the flaccidly paralyzed face. September 21, 2014
- Internal Medicine Continuing Medical Education Conference – Nasal Obstruction. Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group, Department of Internal Medicine. Mapunapuna Medical Office. Honolulu, Hawaii. September 15, 2017
- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Conference. Oral presentation on photography in rhinoplasty. October 26, 2017
- Grand Rounds – Surgical Management of Nasal Obstruction and Facial Paralysis. Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group. Moanalua Medical Center. Honolulu, Hawaii. August 3, 2018
- European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery Annual Conference. Oral Presentation: “Photography for Hair Restoration Surgery.” Regensberg, Germany. September 13, 2018
- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery International Symposium. Oral presentation: “Photography for the facial plastic surgeon.” Dallas, Texas. October 16, 2018
- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery International Symposium. Oral presentation: “Advanced techniques in Pre/Post and Intraoperative Photography.” Dallas, Texas. October 17, 2018
- Foundation for Facial Aesthetic Surgery – 26th Annual State-of-the-Art in Facial Aesthetics Conference. Oral presentations: “Advanced Pre/Post and Intraoperative Photography Techniques.” March 28, 2019
- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery International Symposium. Oral presentation: “Advanced techniques in Pre/Post and Intraoperative Photography.” April 4, 2019
- Grand Rounds – Human Papilloma Virus and Head and Neck Cancer. Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group. Moanalua Medical Center. Honolulu, Hawaii. July 12, 2019
- University of Washington Lesley Watson Facial Plastic Surgery Course. Oral Presentation: “Photography for Facial Plastic Surgery.” November 21, 2019
Book chapters
- Bhama PK, Doherty GM. Surgery for the Solitary Thyroid Nodule. In: Surgery of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands. Oertli D and R Udelsman (eds). Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2007.
- Bhama P, Weymuller EA. Assessment of reconstructive outcomes. In: Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Head and Neck. Neligan PC and FC Wei (eds). Quality Medical Publishing, Inc., 2009.
- Bhama P, Hillel AD, Weymuller EA. Quality of life after neck dissection. In: Neck Dissection. Ferlito A, Robbins KT, CE Silver (eds). Plural Publishing, Inc., 2009.
- Epstein JB, Schubert MM, Bhama P, Weymuller EA. Pain caused by cancer of the head and neck and oral mucositis. In: Bonica’s Management of Pain, 4th edition. Fishman SM, Ballantyne JC, Rathmell JP, (eds). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009.
- Norton SJ, Bhama PK, Perkins JA. Early detection and diagnosis of infant hearing impairment. In: Cumming’s Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, 5th edition. Mosby, 2010.
- Bhama PK, Sie K. Craniofacial Anomalies. In: Handbook of Pediatric Otolaryngology: A Practical Guide for Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders. Shapiro NL, (ed.). World Scientific Pub Co Inc (2011).
- Bhama PK, Bhrany AD, Moe KS. Facial Plastic Surgery. In: Golub JS, Schmitt NC, eds. Otolaryngology Surgical Instrument Guidebook. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing. 2011.
- Manning SC, Bhama PK, Culbertson MC. Epistaxis. In: Pediatric Otolaryngology, 5th edition. [scheduled for press 9/30/2013]
- Bhama PK, Hadlock TA. Microneurovascular Free Gracilis Muscle Transfer for Dynamic Facial Reanimation. In: Operative Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing. 2013 [scheduled for press 5/1/2014]
- Bhama PK, Adamson P, Kim A. Principles of Facial Aging. In: Facial Surgery: Plastic and Reconstructive, 2nd edition. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing. [in progress]
- Gliklich R, Bergmark R, Bhama PK. Evaluating Outcomes in Facial Plastic Surgery. In: Facial Surgery: Plastic and Reconstructive, 2nd edition. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing. [in progress]
- Ridgway JM, Bhama PK, Kim JH. Rehabilitation of Facial Paralysis. In: Cumming’s Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, 6th edition. 2015.
- Bhama PK, Hadlock TA. Management of the Paralyzed Face. In: Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 4th edition. Papel, I., ed. [in progress]
- Bhama PK, Cheney ML. Surgical Management of Maxillofacial Trauma. Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Operative Surgery. Fagan, J, ed. 2015.
Journal Articles
- Bhama PK., Chugh R, Baker LH, Doherty GM. Gardner’s Syndrome in a 40-year-old woman: successful treatment of locally aggressive desmoid tumors with cytotoxic chemotherapy. World J Surg Oncol. 2006 Dec 17; 4:96.
- Weymuller EA Jr, Bhama PK. Quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2007 Sep;7(9):1175-8.
- Bhama P, Hillel AD, Merati AL, Perkel DJ. A novel model for examining recovery of phonation after vocal nerve damage. Journal of Voice. 2011 May;25(3):275-82. Epub 2010 Feb 26.
- Longstreet B, Bhama PK, Inglis A, Perkins J. Improved visualization of the glottic and subglottic airway during direct laryngoscopy using self-retaining laryngeal retractors: a quantitative study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011 Aug;145(2):270-5. Epub 2011 Apr 26.
- Bhama PK, Manning CS, Cole B, Moe KS. Sinonasal and orbital myxoma involving the skull base in an infant. International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology Extra. Online 2011 Sep 26.
- Bhama PK, Jordan D, Davis GE. Treatment of organized hematoma of the sphenoid sinus with pre-operative embolization and endoscopic resection. Open Journal of Radiology. Online 2011 December.
- Bhama PK, Davis GE, Bhrany AD, Lam D, Futran NF. The effects of intensive care unit staffing on patient outcomes following microvascular free flap reconstruction of the head and neck: A pilot study. JAMA Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. 2013; 139 (1):37-42.
- Hohman MH, Bhama PK, Hadlock TA. Epidemiology of Iatrogenic Facial Nerve Injury: A Decade of Experience. Laryngoscope. 2014; 124 (1):260-5.
- Bhama PK, Bhrany AB. Ocular protection in facial paralysis. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013; 21(4):353-7.
- Bhama PK, Gliklich RE, Weinberg JS, Hadlock TA, Lindsay RW. Optimizing total facial nerve patient management for effective clinical outcomes research. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2014; 16(1): 9-14.
- Lindsay RW, Bhama PK, Weinberg JS, Hadlock TA. The Success of Free Gracilis Muscle Transfer to Restore Smile in Patients with Nonflaccid Facial Paralysis. Ann Plast Surg. 2014; 73 (2):177-82.
- Ginat D, Bhama P, Cunnane MB, Hadlock T. Facial reanimation procedures depicted on radiological imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2014; 35 (9): 1662-6.
- Bhama P, Weinberg J, Lindsay R, Hohman M, Cheney M, Hadlock T. Objective outcomes analysis following microvascular gracilis transfer for facial reanimation: a review of 10 years’ experience. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2014; 16(2); 85-92.
- Frigerio, A; Bhama PK, Tan OT. Quantitative three-dimensional assessment of port-wine stain clearance after laser treatments. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2013; 45(10):633-8.
- Bhama P, Hadlock TA. Contemporary Facial Reanimation. Facial Plastic Surgery. 2014; 30(2):145-151.
- Bhama PK, Patel SA, Khan U, Bhrany AD, Futran N. Head and neck free flap reconstruction in patients greater than eighty years of age. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2014; 30(8): 523-30. (co-first author)
- Bhama P, Park J, Shanley K, Hadlock T. Refinements in nasolabial fold reconstruction for facial paralysis. Laryngoscope. 124 (12): 2687-92.
- Lindsay RW, Bhama P, Hadlock TA. Quality of Life Improvement after Free Gracilis Muscle Transfer for Smile in Patients With Facial Paralysis. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2014; 16(6): 419-24.
- Lindsay RW, Bhama P, Hohman M, Hadlock TA. Prospective Evaluation of Quality of Life Improvement After Correction of the Alar Base in the Flaccidly Paralyzed Face. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2015; 17(2): 108-112.
- Iacolucci CM, Banks C, Jowett N, Kozin ED, Bhama PK, Barbara M, Hadlock TA. Development and validation of a spontaneous smile assay. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2015; 17(3):191-196.
- Banks CA, Bhama P, Park J, Hadlock C, Hadlock TA. Clinician-Graded Electronic Facial Paralysis Assessment: The eFACE. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015 Aug;136(2):223e-30e.
- Banks CA, Jowett N, Azizzadeh B, Beurskens C, Bhama P, Borschel G, Coombs C, Coulson S, Croxon G, Diels J, Fattah A, Frey M, Gavilan J, Henstrom D, Hohman M, Kim J, Marres H, Redett R, Snyder-Warwick A, Hadlock T. Worldwide testing of the eFACE Facial Nerve Clinical-Graded Scale. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2017 Feb;139(2):491e-498e.
- Wong K, Bhama PK, d’Amour Mazimpaka J, Dusabimana R, Lee LN, Shaye DA. Banana fruit: An “appealing” alternative for practicing suture techniques in resource-limited settings. Am J Otolaryngol. 2018 Sep-Oct; 39(5): 582-584
- Derakshan A, Lee L, Bhama P, Barbarite E, Shaye D. Assessing the educational quality of YouTube videos for facelifts. Am J Otolaryngol. 2019 March-April, 40 (2) 156-159.
- Bhama P. Lip reconstruction using the Gilles Fan Flap. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology. Accepted January 2020.
- Mayo J, Bhama P. Photography for Rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty Archive. Online.
Academic and Research Experience
- Electronic Media Subcommittee Member. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2018-present
- Foundation CME Committee Member. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2019-present
- AAFPRS Webinar CME Work Group. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2020-present
- Microtia (ear reconstruction) mission trip volunteer. Help Us Give Smiles, Inc. Quito, Ecuador. 3/2014, 2015
- Microtia (ear reconstruction) mission trip volunteer. Help Us Give Smiles, Inc. Antigua, Guatemala. 9/2016, 2017, 2018
- Reviewer: JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. 2013-present
- Reviewer: Head and Neck. 2012-present
- Reviewer: Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2011-present
- Reviewer: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2018
- Reviewer: Journal of Pediatrics. 2018
- Reviewer: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. 2019
- Reviewer: Laryngoscope. 2009-present
- Research Assistant: P53 mutations in patients with head and neck cancer. Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. University of Michigan Medical School. Ann Arbor, Michigan. PI: Carol Bradford, M.D., and Thomas Carey, Ph.D. 2005-2006
- Tropical and Rural Medicine Elective: Child Family Health International. Mumbai, India. 2003
- Summer Intern: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, Maryland PI: Robert Lederman, M.D. 2003
- Honors Premedical Academy: Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas. Mentor: Saleh M. Shenaq, M.D. 2000
- Michael E. DeBakey Summer Surgery Program: Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas. Mentor: Rafael Espada, M.D. 1999
- Primary Care Medicine Preceptorship: University of Michigan Medical School and Westshore Family Medicine. Ann Arbor and Muskegon, Michigan. Mentor: Michael Banka, M.D. 1999
Leadership/Volunteer Activities
- Ventilator Allocation Sub-Committee (During COVID-19 Pandemic). Alaska Native Medical Center. Anchorage, Alaska. March-July 2020
- Art of Medicine, Clinical Skills Intensive Clinician Patient Communication Courses. Faculty. Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group. 2019-2020
- Permanente Clinician Communication Center of Excellence. Faculty Member. The Permanente Foundation. 2019-2020
- Residency Interview Committee. University of Washington Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. Seattle, Washington. 2009-2010
- Martial Arts. Jae Hun Kim Tae Kwon Do Institute. Seattle, Washington. Kil’s Tae Kwon Do, Canton, Michigan. University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Schoolcraft College, Livonia, Michigan. 1986-2009
- Admissions Committee. University of Michigan Medical School. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2005-2006
- Founder/Co-chair. MedFitness Group. www.umich.edu/~medfit. University of Michigan Medical School. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2004-2006
- Student Reviewer. Simulated Patient Instruction Obesity and Nutrition Program. University of Michigan Medical School. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2003
- Co-captain/Vice-president/Scheduling Director. University of Michigan Intercollegiate Club Tennis Team. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2000-2002
- Volunteer. University of Michigan Hospitals. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 1997-2002
- Vice-President. Tennis Club. University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2000-2001
Honors and Awards
- People’s Choice Award for Best Grand Rounds. “Surgical Management of Nasal Obstruction and Facial Paralysis.” Hawaii Permanente Medical Group. Honolulu, Hawaii. 2018
- Resident Leadership Grant. American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Alexandria, Virginia. 2011
- Graduation with Distinction in Service (Cum Laude Operae Causa). University of Michigan Medical School. Ann Arbor, Michigan.2006
- Dean’s Annual Scholarship. University of Michigan Medical School. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2005
- Frank E. Robbins Scholarship for Inteflex Students. University of Michigan Medical School. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2005
- Ross Merit Scholarship. University of Michigan Medical School. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2002-2006
- University Honors. University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2001
- Class Honors. University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2001
- State of Michigan Competitive Scholarship. 1998, 2001
- Regents-Alumni Award. University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 1998
- Fairlane Town Center Scholarship for Musical Performance. Dearborn, Michigan. 1998
- Scholar Athlete for Men’s Tennis. Plymouth-Canton High School. Canton, Michigan. 1998
- All-State Saxophonist. Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association. 1995
Other Interests
Dr. Bhama is happy to return to the Puget Sound region with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs. He is committed to providing safe, high-quality care to his patients. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, road cycling, playing the saxophone, and also manages a photography business (pbhamaphotography.com).