Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo has been a partner at Long Island Plastic Surgical Group since 2010. She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and MD from George Washington School of Medicine, where she graduated with distinction. Dr. Ruotolo received her general surgery and 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.
Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo is a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in pediatric craniofacial surgery. She treats patients with conditions such as cleft lip and palate, protruding ears, syndactyly (fused digits), ear reconstruction for microtia, and craniosynostosis (premature closure of skull sutures resulting in abnormal skull and facial shape). Dr. Ruotolo also specializes in facial trauma in children and adults, including orbital, zygomatic and mandible fractures, as well as cranioplasty (skull reconstruction) after craniotomy.
Dr. Ruotolo’s mission to help children also extends outside of the medical field, as she serves on the board of Child Abuse Prevention Services, Long Island’s leading non-profit resource on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. 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.
Dr. Ruotolo is also actively involved in volunteer medical missions and has traveled abroad to treat adults and children in developing countries around the word. 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 has authored numerous publications and has given extensive presentations on pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgery throughout the United States. She also is a member of the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, the Medical Society of the State of New York and the Nassau County Medical Society.
If you have questions and would like to email Dr. Ruotolo directly please contact her at rruotolo@lipsg.com.
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 and Awards
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
2014-2018 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 Craniofacial Surgery
American Medical Association
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Fellow-American College of Surgeons
American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association
Medical Society of the State of New York
Nassau County Medical Society
Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons
Pediatric Neurofibromatosis Clinic of Long Island
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
Plainview Hospital
South Nassau Communities Hospital
Southside Hospital
St. Francis Hospital
Syosset Hospital
Winthrop-University 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
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
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 18th, 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
Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo has been a partner at Long Island Plastic Surgical Group since 2010. She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and MD from George Washington School of Medicine, where she graduated with distinction. Dr. Ruotolo received her general surgery and 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.
