Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dr. Mark M. Urata is a board-certified plastic and maxillofacial surgeon uniquely qualified to lead the Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery. Certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery (2005-present) and the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (2007-present), Dr. Urata specializes in the most complex craniofacial anomalies, including craniosynostosis, syndromic reconstruction, and jaw deformities.

An accomplished author and speaker, Dr. Urata serves as an associate professor of plastic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and as a research assistant professor in the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology at the USC School of Dentistry. He trained for 18 years following his undergraduate education, earning his dental degree from the USC School of Dentistry and his medical degree from the USC Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Urata completed a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery, followed by general surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery at USC. He then pursued a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Urata recently received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the molecular mechanisms of cleft palate and is also involved in a large NIH-funded multi-center study aimed at defining potential facial patterns in autism. His expertise and dedication make him an invaluable member of the Saint John’s Cleft Palate Team.