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My story
Hi there! I'm Chelsea Gonzalez, a Tampa native and mother of three. With a knack for multitasking and a passion for patient care, I bring energy and dedication to Gruber PlasticSurgery.
I graduated in 2021 fromHills borough Community College, where I earned the institution its CAAHEP accreditation in surgical technology. I am NBSTSA certified and trained in several disciplines, including cardiovascular/thoracic surgery and breast, plastic, and cutaneous oncological surgery.
Fun Fact About Me: When I'm not assisting in theOR or changing the music on Sonos, you can find me at a little league baseball game or petting my Wildling kitten, Bagheera.
Awards & certifications
CAAHEP
2021
NBSTSA
2021
Awards
- 2024
- Newsweek Top Doctor - Plastic Surgery
- 2024
- Castle-Connolly Top Doctor - Plastic Surgery
- 2023
- RealSelf Top100 Doctor
- ReaSelf Verified Doctor
- 2017 -2024
- RealSelf Top Docs
- 2020
- American Registry - America’s Most Honored Doctors
- 2014
- VitalsTop Ten Doctor in the State - Plastic Surgeon Specialist
- 2012-2017
- American Registry - Most Compassionate Doctor
- 2011-2017
- American Registry - Patient Choice Award
- 1992 -2000
- Carle Cancer Center Research Grant
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- 1998
- Chrysalis Program
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
- 1996
- Outstanding Speaker Award
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- 1995
- Monsanto Research Award
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- 1995
- Graduate College Conference Award
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- 1992
- Graduation with Honors
University of California at Berkeley
Publications and Presentations
- DonaldH. Lalonde, Meegan Gruber, et al. (2024)
- “New Frontiers in Wide Awake Surgery.” Plast. Recon.Surg. V153, N6
- Meegan M.Gruber and Thomas T. Tung (2005)
- Anatomic Variability and Internal Topography of the Human Tibial Nerve
- Meegan M.Gruber and Christine J. Cheng (2004)
- Characteristics of Metacarpal Fractures that Result in Extensor Lag
- Thomas C.Manning, Laurie A. Rund, Meegan M. Gruber, Francesca Fallarino, Thomas F.Gajewski,and David M. Kranz (1997)
- Antigen Recognition and Allogeneic Tutor Rejection in CD8+TCR Transgenic/RAG-/-Mice
- Meegan M.Gruber and David M. Kranz (1996)
- Bispecific Single Chain Antibodies in Breast Cancer Immunotherapy
- David M. Kranz,Meegan Gruber, and Erik R.Wilson (1995)
- Properties of Bispecifc Single Chain Antibodies Expressed in Escherichia coli
- Meegan M.Gruber and David M. Kranz (1995)
- Susceptibility of Breast Cancer Cells to Lysis Mediated by a Bispecific Single Chain Antibody and Cytotoxic T Cells
- Meegan Gruber, Beth A. Schodin, Erik R. Wilson, and David M. Kranz (1994)
- Efficient Tumor Cell Lysis Mediated by a Bispecifc Single Chain Antibody Expressed in Escherichia coli
Lectures
- 2024 American Society of Plastic Surgeons - National Meeting
- ”ABC’s of Anesthesia in Body Contouring - How far can we go with as little as possible."
”Tips and Tricks of Expert Fat Grafting in Breast Reconstruction”
”What is Lipedema?” - 2023 American Society of Plastic Surgeons - National Meeting
- ”ABC’s of Anesthesia and Body Contouring”
- 2022 American Society of Plastic Surgeons - National Meeting
- ” New Trends in Abdominoplasty”
- 2022 American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Spring Meeting
- “Advances in Awake Liposuction”
- 2021 American Society of Plastic Surgeons - National Meeting Boston, MA
- “Advances in BBL techniques”
“Advances in Liposuction”
“Extreme Abdominal Lipo” - 2021 American Society of Plastic Surgeons Spring Meeting
- “Awake Surgery”
- 2020 Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons
- “Awake Liposuction”
- 2019 WPS Retreat Nashville, TN
- “Advances in Awake Liposuction”
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
- Tampa Bay Area Plastic Surgeons
Education
- 2000 - 2005
- Residency- Washington University / Barnes-Jewish Hospital - Combined
Program in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Program Director – Keith Brandt, MD - 1992 - 2000
- MD/PhD -University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Medical Scholars Program
College of Medicine/Department of Biochemistry
Thesis Title: “Development of a Novel Antibody Molecule for Redirected T Cell Immunity to Tumor Cells: The Bispecific Single Chain Antibody.”
Principal Investigator – David M. Kranz, PhD - 1997
- Postdoctoral Research - Stanford University
Principal Investigator – Alan Krensky, MD
Division of Immunology and Transplant Biology, Department of Pediatrics - 1988 - 1992
- Undergraduate -University of California at Berkeley
BA - Department of Molecular and Cell Biology
BA - Department of Ethnic Studies
Board Certifications
- 2016
- American Board of Plastic Surgery 10 year Re-certification
- 2006
- American Board of Plastic Surgery
Medical Licenses
- 2017 - present
- State of Florida
- 2005 - 2017
- State of Oregon
- 2000 - 2005
- State of Missouri
Active Status
- 2021- Present
- Owner / Plastic Surgeon
Gruber Plastic Surgery Tampa, FL
Previous Positions
- 2017 - 2021
- Plastic Surgeon
Artistic Liposuction and Plastic Surgery
Tampa, FL
- 2016 - 2017
- Medical Director, Plastic Surgeon
Athenix Medical Group
Portland, OR
- 2008 - 2015
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Providence Medical Group
Portland, OR
- 2005 - 2008
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Silverton Hospital
Silverton, OR
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