Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS

Page Updated: May 12, 2022

Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS

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Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgery. She has held the title of Vice President at Long Island Plastic Surgical Group since 2013 and has been a partner at the practice since 2010. In addition, she is currently the co-director of Cohen Children’s Hagedorn Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center.

Dr. Ruotolo received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and MD from George Washington School of Medicine & Health Sciences, where she graduated with distinction. She then went on to complete her plastic surgery training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and pursued specialty training in Pediatric Congenital and Craniofacial Surgery during a fellowship at Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

As a pediatric plastic and craniofacial expert, Dr. Ruotolo treats patients with a variety of conditions including cleft lip and palate, protruding ears, syndactyly (fused digits), congenital melanocytic and vascular lesions, and craniosynostosis (premature closure of skull sutures resulting in abnormal skull and facial shape). In addition, she also specializes in facial trauma in both children and adults, including orbital, zygomatic, and mandible fractures, as well as cranioplasty (skull reconstruction) after craniotomy.

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Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Acclaimed in the Media for Compassionate Care & Life-Changing Results

Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Distinguished Service to Children Award Recipient

Healthcare Hero Award Recipient

Dr. Ruotolo’s mission to help children also extends outside of the medical field, as she served for 10 years on the board of Child Abuse Prevention Services. In 2010, she was honored by the organization with the Distinguished Service to Children Award. During the same year, Dr. Ruotolo received the prestigious Healthcare Hero Award from Long Island Business News.

Throughout her career Dr. Ruotolo has participated in volunteer medical missions and has traveled abroad to treat adults and children in developing countries around the world. In 2007, she volunteered with Project Vietnam, which provides healthcare for children in rural parts of the Southeast Asian nation. Following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Dr. Ruotolo treated victims at the El Buen Samaritano Hospital in the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Ruotolo is pictured playing with Matteo DiMartino, a child born with a lymphatic malformation that developed while he was still in the womb. After a successful surgery, the family and Dr. Ruotolo were featured in Newsday. Learn more about Matteo’s story here

Meet Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo

Listen as Dr. Ruotolo talks about helping children who are born with deformities. She also finds it important to provide emotional support and education to the patient’s family.

5 Star Patient Rating

“My daughter was born with a surprise cleft in her soft palate. My husband and I had no idea what we were getting into, and we were honestly terrified. The hospital set us up with Dr. Ruotolo who put our minds at ease with her calm, confident demeanor. She came to the maternity ward the day after my daughter was born, brought a special bottle, and talked to us for an hour or more to make sure that we felt okay and that we were less overwhelmed.”

Real Patient Testimonial

Alessia’s Story of Recovery

Matteo’s Life-Changing Surgery with Dr. Ruotolo

Dr. Ruotolo has authored numerous publications and has given extensive presentations on pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgery throughout the United States. She is also a member of the International Society of Craniofacial Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, and the Medical Society of the State of New York. She is a long-standing member of the Nassau County Medical Society and was elected to the board in 2022.

If you have questions and would like to email Dr. Ruotolo directly please contact her at rruotolo@lipsg.com.

Education

1999: George Washington School of Medicine, Washington D.C. – Doctor of Medicine with Distinction
1994:Duke University, Durham, North Carolina – Bachelor of Science Cum Laude

Training

2006–2007: Fellow: Pediatric Congenital and Craniofacial Surgery; Medical City Children’s Hospital, TX
2005–2006: Chief Resident: Division of Plastic Surgery; Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PA
2003–2005: Resident: Division of Plastic Surgery; Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PA
2002–2003: Research Fellow: Craniofacial Biology Laboratory; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA
2000–2002: Resident: Department of General Surgery; Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PA
1999–2000: Intern: Department of General Surgery; Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, PA

Teaching

2008-present: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center
2006-2007: Medical Staff, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery – Medical City Dallas Hospital. Dallas, TX 75230

Honors & Awards

2021 Eddie and Ozzie Award, Best Single Article: An Overview of Cleft Lip and Palate
2019, 2020, 2021, New York Times, Super Doctors
2018 Woman of Distinction honor from Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, for extraordinary efforts in helping others
2017 The Doctor Chandler Award: NYS Troopers PBA, recognizing medical professionals who have shown extraordinary service to NYS troopers or their family members
2017 Exceptional Women in Medicine Award, Castle Connolly
2014-2021 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, NY Metro area
2013 Patients’ Choice Award
2011 Long Island Press Fortune 52 Honoree: Recognizing local women who make significant and unique contributions in their community or workplace
2010 Physician Healthcare Hero Award, Long Island Business News
2010 Distinguished Service to Children Award, CAPS (Child Abuse Prevention Services)
2010 Certificate of Recognition Nassau County Legislature, Volunteer mission to Haiti
2003 Junior Investigator Award, American Association of Pediatrics Conference, Plastic Surgery Section
1999 Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society
1998 Alec Horowitz Award for Exceptional Proficiency in Surgery, George Washington School of Medicine & Health Sciences
1997 Pathology Honor Society, George Washington School of Medicine & Health Sciences
1997 James Douglas Goddard Award, George Washington School of Medicine & Health Sciences
1994 Cum Laude, Duke University
1991-1994 Duke University Dean’s List with Distinction
1990-1994 National City Foundation Scholarship Award

Affiliations

American Board of Plastic Surgery
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Associates
International Society of Craniofacial Surgery
Medical Society of the State of New York
Nassau County Medical Society
Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons

Hospital Affiliations

Cohen Children’s Medical Center
Good Samaritan Hospital
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Mercy Medical Center
Nassau University Medical Center
North Shore University Hospital
NYU Langone Hospital Long Island
Plainview Hospital
Mount Sinai South Nassau Communities Hospital
South Shore University Hospital
St. Francis Hospital
Syosset Hospital

Board Membership

Vice President, Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, PC, 2013 – present
Executive Committee Member, Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, PC, 2013 – present
Partner, Board of Directors, Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, PC, 2010 – present
Board of Directors, Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS), 2010 – 2019

Research Interests

Velopharyngeal insufficiency in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Long term, post-surgical anthropometric growth patterns in single suture synostosis
Lip adhesion and nasal conformers as an alternative to NAM in cleft lip repair

Media Appearances

Anton Media Group Full Run – “Bouncing Back From Tragedy” August 21, 2020
Plastic Surgery Smart Brief, July 14, 2020
Cafe Mom – “After Family Dog Mauls 1-Year-Old’s Face, She Celebrates Birthday With Surgeon Who Saved Her” July 2020
People – “Toddler Attached by Pit Bull Celebrates Birthday with Surgeon Who Rebuilt Her Face: ‘Surreal’” July 2020
WPIX – “Girl Recovers From Dog Attack” July 2020
WABC – “Girl Recovers From Dog Attack” July 2020
WCBS – “Girl Recovers From Dog Attack” July 2020
Farmingdale Observer – “Baby Matteo Beats The Odds” March 2020
Massapequa Observer – “Baby Matteo Beats The Odds” March 2020
Newsday – “He’s His Mom’s ‘Miracle Baby:’ Doctors Save Boy Born with Dangerous Cyst” January 2020
Newsday – “Baby with Large Mass Has Life-changing Surgery” January 2020
News12 Long Island – “Massapequa Baby Successfully Undergoes Complicated, Lifesaving Surgery” January 2020
ABC7NY – “Long Island Boy Born with Rare Malformation Has Life-changing Surgery” January 2020
The Everymom “This Surgeon and Mom-of-Three Is Changing Kids’ Lives by Correcting Birth Defects” April 2019
Motherly “How to Cope When You Receive a Scary Medical Diagnosis for Your Child” March 2019
Fairy God Boss “#MakingTime: A Day in the Life of a New York Craniofacial Plastic Surgeon With Young Kids” March 2019
First Time Parent Magazine “About Face – Craniofacial Surgery Q&A” December 2018
Verizon FIOS – “Heroes on Our Island” September 2012, June 2014
Newsday – “Ellis’ Long Islander of the Week”
Garden City News – “Elected to the Board of CAPS”
News 12 Long Island – “Helping Haiti”
WLNY TV 10/55 – “Treating Wounds and Infections: Haiti Earthquake”
Verizon Fios1 – Push Pause “Mission:Haiti”
Image Magazine – “Prominent Surgeons Give Back”
Garden City Patch – “Garden City Doctors Heading to Haiti”
Blog Talk Radio – The Passions and Possibilities Project

Publications

An overview of cleft lip and palate. Alois, Corinne I. MS, PA-C; Ruotolo, Rachel A. MD, FACS. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants: November 6, 2020 – Volume Publish Ahead of Print – Issue -doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000721644.06681.06
The Double-Reverse Wedge Excision Technique: A Novel Approach to Reconstruction of Stahl’s Ear Deformity. Sinnott CJ, Boutros C, Davenport TA, Ruotolo RA. Plast Reconstr Glob Open. 2019. 7(7):e2313.
Use of Enzymatic Debridement for Necrotic Soft Tissue Infection in a Preterm Infant. Yukiko Miura, Jessica Huskey, Rachel A. Ruotolo, Renu Aggarwal. American Academy of Pediatrics, February 2016.
Book Chapters: Velopharyngeal Insufficiency. Richard E. Kirschner, Rachel A. Ruotolo. Current Reconstructive Surgery. Serletti and Losee. (in press)
Book Chapters: Surgical Management of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction. Richard E. Kirschner, Rachel A. Ruotolo. Cleft Lip and Palate, Berkowitz, 2nd edition.
Single Sutural Craniosynostosis: Surgical Outcomes and Long Term Growth. Jeffrey A. Fearon, MD, Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, and John Kolar, PhD. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal 123: 635, 2009
Cleft Lip Repair: A Unique Sutureless Skin Closure Technique. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS and Jeffrey A. Fearon, MD. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, March 2009.
Velopharyngeal Anatomy in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Analysis. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, Nestor A. Veitia, MD, Aaron Corbin, BS, Joseph McDonough, MS, Cynthia B. Solot, MA, CCC, Donna McDonald-McGinn, MS, Elaine H. Zackai, MD, Beverly S. Emanuel, PhD, Don LaRossa, MD, Raanan Arens, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal 43(4) 446-56, 2006.
Hybrid Constructs for Craniofacial Reconstruction: Sustained Gene Delivery Using Demineralized Bone Matrix Putty. James M. Smartt, MA, Ines C. Lin, BS, Elizabeth Kim, MD, Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, Nestor A. Veitia, MD, Timothy M. Crombleholme, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. Annals of Plastic Surgery, Vol 52, Number 6, June 2004, 592-597
Mesenteric Ischemia in the Elderly. RA Ruotolo and SRT Evans. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, August 1999.

Abstracts and Oral Presentations

Decreasing Recurrence After Keloid Excision with Sequential Triamcinolone Injections. Nicholas M. Kunda, MD, Tori Salorenzo, MS, Rachel Ruotolo, MD American Society of Plastic Surgeons(ASPS), October, 2020
Decreasing Recurrence After Keloid Excision with Sequential Triamcinolone Injections. Nicholas M. Kunda, MD, Tori Salorenzo, MS, Rachel Ruotolo, MD Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, Garden City, NY, at NESPS September 27, 2020
The Double-Reverse Wedge Excision Technique: A Novel Approach to Reconstruction of Stahl’s Ear Deformity. Sinnott CJ, Boutros C, Davenport TA, Ruotolo RA. Plast Reconstr Glob Open. 2019. 7(7):e2313. Annual American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) April 10^th, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona.
Use of Enzymatic Debridement for Necrotic Soft Tissue Infection in a Preterm Infant. Yukiko Miura, Jessica Huskey, Rachel Ruotolo, Renu Aggarwal Pediatrics, Feb 2016, 137 (Supplement 3) 473A
Cleft Lip and Palate: Diagnosis and Management During the Pre- and Post-natal Period. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD. Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of NY February 18^th, 2016
A Staged Approach for the Treatment of Facial Hemihypertrophy and Lower Facial Paralysis. M. M. Melendez, R. L. Simpson, M. Dobryansky, R. A. Ruotolo. ACPA, Puerto Rico, April 5, 2011
Single Sutural Craniosynostosis: Surgical Outcomes and Long-Term Growth. Jeffrey A. Fearon, MD and Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS. ASPS, Baltimore, MD, October 29, 2007
Single Sutural Craniosynostosis: Surgical Outcomes and Long-Term Growth. Jeffrey A. Fearon, MD and Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD. ICFS, Brazil, September 2007
Variations on a Bandeau. Jeffrey A. Fearon, MD and Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS. ACPA, Broomfield, Colorado, April 27, 2007
Cleft Lip Repair: A “Suture-Less” Skin Closure. Jeffrey A. Fearon, MD and Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS. ACPA, Broomfield, Colorado, April 25, 2007
Alar Wing Graft: Tip Rhinoplasty Technique for the Cosmetic Patient. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, Jesse A. Goldstein, MD, Don LaRossa, MD. Ivy Society, Pittsburgh, PA, June 3, 2006
Velar Motion and VPI Treatment Outcomes in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, C. Francisco Espinel, MD, Cynthia B. Solot, MA, CCC, Donna M. McDonald-McGinn, MS, Elaine H. Zackai, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. Ivy Society, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2, 2006
Velar Motion and VPI Treatment Outcomes in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, C. Francisco Espinel, MD, Cynthia B. Solot, MA, CCC, Donna M. McDonald-McGinn, MS, Elaine H. Zackai, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. ACPA conference in Vancouver on April 8, 2006.
Lip Adhesion and Nasal Conformers: Staging Cleft Lip Repair to Optimize Outcome. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD,, FACS, C. Francisco Espinel, MD, Don LaRossa, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. First Annual Whitaker Lectureship in Philadelphia, PA, May 19, 2006
Lip Adhesion and Nasal Conformers: Staging Cleft Lip Repair to Optimize Outcome. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, C. Francisco Espinel, MD, Don LaRossa, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. ACPA, Vancouver on April 5, 2006
Velar Motion and VPI Treatment Outcomes in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, C. Francisco Espinel, MD, Cynthia B. Solot, MA, CCC, Donna M. McDonald-McGinn, MS, Elaine H. Zackai, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. Senior Resident’s Conference, Arlington, VA on March 23, 2006
Soluble Mediators Produced by Fetal Dural Cells and Calvarial Osteoblasts Stimulate Proliferation and Inhibit Osteodifferentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. David Yan, M.D., David S. Cabiling, B.A. , Shushan Jacob, M.D., Rachel A. Ruotolo, M.D., F.A.C.S., Nestor A. Veitia, M.D., Hyun-Duck Nah, D.M.D., Ph.D., and Richard E. Kirschner, M.D. PSRC, Toronto, Canada, May 20, 2005
Management of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in 22q11.2 Deletion (Velocardiofacial) Syndrome: Optimizing Surgical Outcome. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, Cynthia B. Solot, MA, CCC, Don LaRossa, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. Ivy Society, Valley Forge, PA, April 16, 2005
Speech Outcome After Surgical Management of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Richard Kirschner, MD, Cynthia Solot, MA, CCC, Rachel Ruotolo, MD, FACS, Jason Catanzaro, Donna McDonald-McGinn, MS, Elaine Zackai, MD, Don LaRossa, MD. ACPA, Myrtle Beach, SC, April 8, 2005
Velopharyngeal Dysfunction in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: Do Aberrant Carotid Arteries Preclude Surgical Intervention? Rachel Ruotolo, MD, FACS, Cynthia Solot, MA, CCC, Don LaRossa, MD, Richard Kirschner, MD. ACPA, Myrtle Beach, SC, April 7, 2005
Velopharyngeal Anatomy in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Three Dimensional Cephalometric Analysis. Cynthia B. Solot, Richard E. Kirschner, Rachel A. Ruotolo, Ranaan Arens. 2004 SENTAC annual meeting, December 5, 2004
Velopharyngeal Anatomy in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Analysis. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, Nestor A. Veitia, MD, Aaron Corbin, BS, Joseph McDonough, MS, Cynthia B. Solot, MA, CCC, Donna McDonald-McGinn, MS, Elaine H. Zackai, MD, Beverly S. Emanuel, PhD, Don LaRossa, MD, Raanan Arens, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. American Association of Pediatrics, New Orleans, October 2003
Influence of Dural Signaling on Fetal Osteoblast Proliferation and Differentiation. Nestor A. Veitia, Rachel A. Ruotolo, Ines Lin, Elizabeth Kim, Miguel Sena-Esteves, Elisabeth H. Javazon, Hyun-Duck Nah, and Richard E. Kirschner. Oral presentation at the Plastic Surgery Research Council, Las Vegas, NV, April 26, 2003 and at the AAPS, Baltimore, MD, May 5, 2003
Influence of TGF-β Isoforms on Fetal Dural Cell and Calvarial Osteoblast Differentiation. Kim EM, Ruotolo RA, Veitia NA, Lin I, Nah HD, Kirschner RE. Plastic Surgery Research Council, Las Vegas, NV, April 26, 2003
Influence of Dural Signaling on Fetal Osteoblast Proliferation and Differentiation. Nestor A. Veitia, Rachel A. Ruotolo, Ines Lin, Elizabeth Kim, Miguel Sena-Esteves, Elisabeth H. Javazon, Hyun-Duck Nah, and Richard E. Kirschner. Plastic Surgery Research Council, Las Vegas, NV, April 26, 2003
Velopharyngeal Anatomy in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Analysis. Rachel A. Ruotolo, MD, FACS, Nestor A. Veitia, MD, Aaron Corbin, BS, Joseph McDonough, MS, Cynthia B. Solot, MA, CCC, Donna McDonald-McGinn, MS, Elaine H. Zackai, MD, Beverly S. Emanuel, PhD, Don LaRossa, MD, Raanan Arens, MD, and Richard E. Kirschner, MD. ACPA 60th anniversary conference, Asheville, NC, April 11, 2003