The Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery is pleased to welcome Dr. Shaina W. Gong as the incoming 2026-2027 fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) fellowship program.
Dr. Gong joins the practice after completing her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston). Over the next twelve months, she will train directly under Dr. Edward Buckingham and Dr. Erin Smith, gaining hands-on experience in both surgical and non-surgical facial plastic procedures.
Dr. Gong's Path to Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Gong's interest in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery took shape during her residency at UTHealth Houston, where she assisted on numerous nasal septal reconstructions and rhinoplasties.
She observed how small adjustments in suture technique or graft placement could change both the function and appearance of the nose, a lesson that shaped how she now approaches every case.
That training left her with a clear view of what the specialty demands, including:
- Close attention to fine surgical detail alongside a broader view of facial harmony
- Balancing functional outcomes, like nasal breathing, with aesthetic results
- Patience with a craft that develops through graduated responsibility and hands-on experience
An Artist's Approach to Surgical Precision
Before medicine, Dr. Gong spent years developing her skills as a visual artist, working across pencil, oil, and other mediums. Dr. Gong views her artistic and surgical training as closely related disciplines. Both require careful observation, a willingness to earn mastery step by step, and the ability to move between fine detail and overall composition. She has said that her artistic background helps her envision reconstructive outcomes, while her surgical training gives her the tools to bring those outcomes to life for her patients.
A Special Interest in Ethnic Rhinoplasty
As an Asian American surgeon, Dr. Gong has a particular interest in ethnic facial plastic surgery. During residency, she conducted research using photogrammetric analysis to help characterize the ideal East Asian nose, work that reflects her broader interest in preserving a patient's ethnic identity while helping them meet their aesthetic goals.
Dr. Gong is also fluent in Mandarin, which she hopes will help her connect with and serve patients seeking a surgeon who understands both their cultural background and their aesthetic priorities.
What Dr. Gong Will Focus on During Her Fellowship
During her fellowship at the Buckingham Center, Dr. Gong plans to build on the mentorship of Dr. Buckingham and Dr. Smith while expanding her experience across both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. She has also expressed interest in learning more about practice management, to eventually build a practice of her own that serves patients of all ages through both surgical and in-office treatments.
Dr. Buckingham has directed the AAFPRS fellowship program at the Buckingham Center since 2014, mentoring one surgeon each year through a competitive, twelve-month training program that includes exposure to a full spectrum of facial plastic surgery cases.
Meet Dr. Gong at the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery
Dr. Gong's fellowship year gives patients of Dr. Buckingham, Dr. Smith, and Dr. Frey the benefit of an additional trained surgeon involved in their care, one who brings a distinct artistic sensibility to facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. To learn more about our team or to schedule a consultation with the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, contact our Austin, TX office today.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.
