Dr. Joseph Lopez earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Lopez received his plastic surgery training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and specialty training in Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery at the  Craniofacial, Oral, and Dental Center at the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital.  He then completed a second fellowship in Head & Neck Surgical Oncology at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, becoming the first pediatric craniofacial surgeon in the United States with additional training in cancer surgery. 

 

As a pediatric head and neck cancer surgeon, Dr. Lopez treats patients with benign tumors such as maxillofacial or dental cysts, vascular anomalies, and facial/neck congenital lesions. He also treats children and young adults with malignant tumors such as sarcomas, salivary tumors, neuroblastoma, and melanoma.

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Dr. Lopez also specializes in pediatric thyroid surgery including in young children with predisposition to thyroid cancer like Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2, Familial Adematous Polyposis, or PTEN Hamartoma Tumor syndrome. Dr. Lopez leverages the use of the latest technology in computerized-surgical planning, intraoperative radiotherapy and imaging, and autofluorescence technology to optimize outcomes in all patients. 

 

With a deep passion for improving the lives of children with craniofacial anomalies and cancer, over the course of his training, Dr. Lopez has sought to acquire the multidisciplinary skills necessary to treat children with aforementioned conditions. Furthermore, his expertise in research methodology and innovation has equipped him to find novel treatments for children with such complex conditions. Frustrated with the fragmented treatment options of children with head and neck cancer as well as craniofacial anomalies, Dr. Lopez seeks to apply his unique training and background to build the premier, holistic center for children within the areas of his medical expertise.