MD
Chief of Surgical Services, City of Hope Chicago
I enjoy meeting new people, I encourage asking questions and I always welcome a new challenge. Your safety will always be my primary concern. I take pride in making a personal commitment to each and every one of my patients. Communication is also extremely important to me, and it will remain that way even after we have reached a common goal.
Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery
As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at City of Hope Chicago, Dr. Aaron Pelletier performs complex procedures that help improve appearance, reduce scarring and disfigurement, as well as rebuild or replace removed or injured body parts that may occur as a result of cancer and its treatment. He is skilled in performing reconstruction procedures for the head and neck, breast, chest and abdominal wall, as well as the pelvis and extremities.
“I am thrilled to work at a hospital devoted to cancer care, as it brings me full circle with my first true interest in medicine," says Dr. Pelletier, Chief of Surgical Services at City of Hope Chicago. "Personally, as a plastic surgeon, there is nothing more fulfilling than helping a patient complete his or her battle with cancer.”
“City of Hope places an emphasis on well-rounded, comprehensive and centralized care for each individual person,” adds Dr. Pelletier. “In making an effort to individualize treatments and incorporate all components of health and well-being, the process of fighting cancer becomes a more cohesive and less intimidating experience.”
Dr. Pelletier’s personal philosophy is that neither the patient nor the surgeon crosses a finish line until both are on the same page. He says, “There can be many options and many steps in reconstructive surgery, so I place a priority on clear and informative communication to establish realistic expectations, and I try to involve my patients along every step of the way. In the end, it is a matter of trust that can only be earned by caring. So the better I understand my patients, and the more I enable them to understand my role in their care, the more likely we are to achieve a successful outcome.”
Dr. Pelletier earned a medical degree from the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine. He completed a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency, and was a Zaccone Family Fellow of Reconstructive Microsurgery and Breast Surgery.
Before pursuing a medical degree, Dr. Pelletier completed a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Dr. Pelletier is a board-certified plastic surgeon. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. He has served as co-investigator for multiple research initiatives and as a research technician at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Additionally, his work has been published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery and Current Reconstructive Surgery.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Pelletier devotes his time to his family. He and his wife, who is also a physician, have three beautiful daughters and a golden retriever. Whether it be a walk to the park, a bike ride along the lake, or camping and hiking in the mountains, the Pelletier family enjoys being outdoors. Dr. Pelletier also enjoys skiing and playing tennis and golf.