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Christopher Michael Runyan, MD, PhD

  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Cosmetic Surgery
  • Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Cleft and Craniofacial Center
AboutConditions & TreatmentsLocationsCredentialsInsurancesResearch InterestsBack to Top

About

Practicing Specialties

Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryCosmetic SurgeryPediatric Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryCleft and Craniofacial Center

Languages

EnglishVietnamese

Biography

My clinical passions include optimizing long-term outcomes for children with cleft and craniofacial differences, using emerging technologies including 3D printing and tissue engineering for facial reconstruction and working with multidisciplinary care teams to provide comprehensive care for complex conditions. These include syndromic craniosynostosis, hemifacial microsomia, Treacher Collins syndrome, atypical facial clefts, complex airway conditions, facial paralysis and other craniofacial conditions.

I was drawn to plastic and reconstructive surgery while completing an eight-year MD/PhD physician-scientist training program in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I studied errors which occur during developmental biology. Over half of all birth defects involve the face or hands, conditions which are treated by plastic surgeons.

After completing residency training in Ohio and a craniofacial fellowship at New York University, I joined the Wake Forest Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department in 2016. I came because of the tremendous opportunity to participate in cutting-edge clinical care and research in an idyllic location to raise our family with four daughters.

Within this team environment, we are distinctly positioned to provide complex reconstructions, from microsurgical jaw-in-a-day reconstruction to cutting-edge craniofacial distraction osteogenesis procedures. As a craniofacial surgeon, I'm uniquely qualified to provide a holistic approach to facial reconstruction and aesthetic improvements.

This includes expertise in orthognathic surgery, which allows for moving facial bones including the chin, lower jaw, upper jaw, cheeks or skull to improve craniomaxillofacial relationships, breathing and facial balance. I also have expertise in facial soft tissue surgeries, including cleft repair, face and neck lift procedures, rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty.

In assessing facial improvements, I balance the contributions of both the bony foundation and skin appearance. I frequently use aesthetic techniques for reconstruction and vice versa, including fat grafting, bone grafting and augmentation, dermabrasion and computerized surgical planning.

One advantage of an academic medical center is a systematic focus on achieving the safest outcomes through experience, education and innovation. I’m grateful to be able to serve as program director and an educator to the next generation of plastic and reconstructive surgeons, in leadership roles within our state, regional and national societies, and through ongoing international mission work in Eastern Europe and Vietnam.

Every day, I consider it a privilege to care for patients, teach students and young doctors, and to share Wake Forest innovations and expertise with our international friends.

Conditions and Treatments

Acne ScarringBlepharoplastyBotulinum Toxin (Botox)BurnsCleft Lip and Cleft PalateCongenital AnomaliesCraniofacial DeformitiesCraniofacial MalformationCraniosynostosisCystsDistraction OsteogenesisEar ReconstructionFaceliftFacial FracturesFacial Nerve InjuriesFacial Reconstruction SurgeryFacial TraumaFat TransfersFused DigitsGiant Congenital NevusGynecomastiaHemangiomasJaw DeformitiesJaw SurgeryLaser Skin ResurfacingLower Extremity TraumaMicrotiaMolesNeurofibromatosis (NF)Orthognathic SurgeryOtoplastyPlagiocephalyPolydactylyRhinoplastySeptoplastySkin CancerSkin LesionsSyndactylyTissue ReconstructionVascular Malformations

Ratings and Reviews

Locations

Credentials

Board Certifications

American Board of Plastic SurgeryAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck

Residencies

University of Cincinnati Hospital, Plastic Surgery, 2015

Fellowships

New York University School of Medicine, Craniofacial Surgery, 2016

Education

University of Cincinnati Hospital, MD, 2009

Positions

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Winston-Salem), Associate ProfessorWake Forest University School of Medicine, Associate Professor, Pediatrics (Winston-Salem)Vice Chair, Wake Forest University School of MedicineDirector, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Winston-Salem)

Accepted Insurance

This chart is a list of the most common health insurance plans we accept. This list is subject to change. Please check your individual plan to confirm their participation and the coverage allowed.

Due to the different physician groups and hospitals within the Wake Forest Baptist system, physician services and hospital services are billed separately. Please remember that health insurance coverage varies, so some services may not be covered.

If you don’t see your plan or you have questions, please call our Customer Service Center at 877-938-7497. We will do our best to work with you and your plan.

Key

WFUHS - Wake Forest University Health Sciences (professional services)
NCBH
- North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Includes Davie)
LMC
- Lexington Medical Center
CHC
- Cornerstone Healthcare
Wilkes
- Wilkes Regional Medical Center
HPR
- High Point Regional
N/A
- Not applicable to services provided at facility and/or CHC
NC
-Not Contracted, very low to no volume for facility and/or CHC


Wake Forest Baptist Health Managed Care/MA Contracts - April 2024

AETNA CONNECTED NC ACA/Exchange: Accepted at all locations

AETNA NC PREFERRED+: Accepted at all locations

AETNA (PPO & HMO): Accepted at all locations

AETNA MEDICARE: Accepted at all locations

AETNA WHOLE HEALTH: Accepted at all locations

ALIGNMENT HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Accepted at all locations

AMBETTER OF NC: Accepted at all locations

AMERIHEALTH CARITAS NEXT ACA/Exchange: Accepted at all locations 

BCBSNC (PPO & HMO): Accepted at all locations

BCBS HIGH PERFORMANCE (NATIONAL NETWORK): Accepted at all locations

BLUE LOCAL WITH ATRIUM HEALTH: Accepted at all locations

BLUE MEDICARE: Accepted at all locations

BLUE VALUE: Accepted at all locations

CAROLINA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and CHC (not applicable to services provided at LMC, Wilkes and High Point)

CIGNA: Accepted at all locations

CIGNA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and High Point (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC and Wilkes)

CIGNA HEALTHSPRING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, LMC, CHC and High Point (not applicable to services provided at Wilkes)

CIGNA LIFESOURCE (TRANSPLANTS): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point) 

CRESCENT PPO (ASHEVILLE): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

DEVOTED HEALTH (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE): Accepted at all locations

DIRECT NET:
Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, LMC, Wilkes and High Point (not contracted, very low to no volume for CHC)

FIRST HEALTH NETWORK: Accepted at NCBH, LMC, Wilkes and High Point (not contracted, very low to no volume for WFUHS and CHC)

FIRSTCAROLINACARE (PINEHURST, NC): Accepted at NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for WFUHS, LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

GATEWAY HEALTH ALLIANCE (VIRGINIA): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point) 

HEALTHGRAM (formerly PRIMARY PHYSICIAN CARE): Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and LMC (not contracted, very low to no volume for CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

HEALTHTEAM ADVANTAGE: Accepted at all locations

HUMANA CHOICECARE: Accepted at all locations

HUMANA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Accepted at all locations

LIBERTY ADVANTAGE (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

MAGELLAN (BEHAVIORAL HEALTH): Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and CHC (not applicable to services provided at LMC, Wilkes and High Point)

MEDCOST: Accepted at all locations

MEDCOST ULTRA: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, LMC, Wilkes and High Point (not applicable at CHC)

PHCS/MULTIPLAN: Accepted at NCBH, CHC, LMC and High Point (not contracted, very low to no volume for WFUHS and Wilkes)

OPTUMHEALTH (TRANSPLANTS - APPLICABLE TO NCBH/WFUHS ONLY): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

PREFERRED CARE OF VA INC: Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

SOUTHERN HEALTH SVCS (COVENTRY-PPO ONLY): Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and CHC (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, Wilkes and High Point)

TWIN COUNTY (VIRGINIA): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, CHC and High Point (not applicable to services provided at LMC and Wilkes)

UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (WFUHS ONLY): Accepted at WFUHS (not applicable for services provided at NCBH, LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

UNITED HEALTHCARE: Accepted at all locations

UNITED HEALTHCARE ESSENTIALS ACA/EXCHANGE: Accepted at all locations

UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE: Accepted at all locations

VA CCN: Accepted at all locations

WELLCARE (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE): Accepted at all locations

 

LMC ONLY: Contracts specific to support Lexington employer groups, low volume
NATIONAL PROVIDER NETWORK/MEDICAL RESOURCES

 

CHC ONLY: Contracts specific to support CHC
TRICARE


Key 

WFUHS - Wake Forest University Health Sciences (professional services)
NCBH - North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Includes Davie)
LMC - Lexington Medical Center
CHC - Cornerstone Healthcare
Wilkes - Wilkes Regional Medical Center
HPR- High Point Regional
N/A - Not applicable to services provided at facility and/or CHC
NC - Not Contracted, very low to no volume for facility and/or CHC

Research Interests

Bone RegenerationCleft Lip and PalateCraniosynostosisDistraction OsteogenesisPierre Robin Sequence

Publications