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Dr. Fletcher Experience & Education

Dr. James Fletcher, MD

Education

High School
St. Louis University High, St. Louis, MO
1983-1987

University
St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
1987-1991
B.A. Biology
Graduated Magna cum laude

Medical School
St. Louis University School of Medicine
1991-1995
Doctor of Medicine
Graduated Cum laude

Residency
Brown University -- Rhode Island Hospital        
General Surgery
6/95 – 6/98
Brown University -- Rhode Island Hospital
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
6/98 - June 2001

Hand/ Upper Extremity & Microvascular Fellowship
Duke University Department of Orthopedic Surgery
07/01/2001 to 06/30/2002

Employment History
Regions Hospital Staff -2002-present
Assistant Professor University of Minnesota Department of Surgery
Assistant Professor University of Minnesota Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Board Certification
  • American Board of Plastic Surgery  (Certificate No. 6878)  Nov 12, 2005
  • Recertification 2015 – expires Dec 31, 2025
  • Subspecialty of Surgery of the Hand (Certificate No. 579)   Aug 5, 2006
  • Recertification 2015 – expires Dec 31, 2026
Licensure
  • State of Florida, ME 126152, 2015 to present
  • State of Minnesota, 44541 July 2002 to present
  • State of Rhode Island, 1999 to 2001 (allowed to expire)
  • State of Wisconsin, July 2002 to 2013 (allowed to expire)
  • DEA BF7740360, active
Appointments
  • University of Minnesota Assistant Professor, Plastic Surgery, July 2002
  • University of Minnesota Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Surgery, Dec 2006
  • Chief, Division of Hand Surgery Regions Hospital
  • Program Director, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Minnesota, 2012
  • Graduate Medical Education Committee, 2002
Invited Lectures
  • “Pediatric Brachial Plexus Injuries” – Pediatric Grand rounds, 2003
  • “Crush Injuries of the Upper Extremity” – Occupational Medicine Conf,, St. Paul, MN 2003
  • “Soft Tissue Considerations” – Geriatric Trauma Symposium, Sept 2006, St. Paul, MN
  • “Use of the VAC Device in the Management of Orthopedic Wounds” – Clinical Orthopedic Society,  Oct 2006, Minneapolis, MN
  • “Traumatic Upper Extremity Reconstruction” – Clinical Orthopedic Society,  Sept 2007, Minneapolis, MN
  • “Distal Radius Fractures" – Geriatric Trauma Symposium, Oct 2009, St. Paul, MN
  • “Lawnmower Injuries” – Pediatric Trauma Summit, Oct 2011, St. Paul, MN
  • Proctor Clinical Skills Assessment/James House Lectureship and clinical case presentations, 2010-2016
  • University of Minnesota Surgical Grand rounds, Update on Facial Transplantation, 2013
  • Carpal Fractures, Let us Lend You a Hand, Update on hand surgery, 2015
Professional Society Memberships
  • American Society Plastic Surgery
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons
  • Plastic Surgery Research Council
  • American Society for Surgery of the Hand
  • American Association of Hand Surgery
  • American Society Peripheral Nerve
  • American Society Reconstructive Microsurgery
  • American Council Academic Plastic Surgeons
  • Minnesota Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Philippine Minnesota Medical Association
  • American Association Plastic Surgeons
  • AOA
Present Research
  • PI - Use of silicone gel implants for breast reconstruction
  • PI - Use of pyrocarbon joint implants in the hand
  • PI - Optimal timing of soft tissue reconstruction of the lower extremity
  • PI – SPY technology for assessment soft tissue injury
  • PI – Laproscopic harvest rectus muscle
  • PI – Multidisciplinary approach to the complex abdominal wall patient    
  • PI – Use of suture anchors for abdominal wall reconstruction
  • PI – Oseocutaneous calcaneal flap coverage lower extremity wounds
  • Grant for Clinical outcome in carpal tunnel surgery from Regions hospital, $25,000 awarded 2014.    
  • Grand for thumb arthroplasty outcomes from Regions Hospital, $25,000 awarded 2015
Publications
  • Fletcher, JW, Matuschack, G, Modulation of E. Coli Induced Tumor Necrosis Factor and Interleukin-1 Expression by Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury:  Liver/Lung Interactions, Chest, suppl., 1993.
  • Weinzweig, J, Fletcher, JW Linburg, R. “Flexor Tendonitis Due to Gout in a Patient with Known Rheumatoid Wrist” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Dec 2000;107(7):1570-1.
  • Watson, K, Weinzweig, J, Fletcher, J, “Recurrent Myxoma of the Hand” J Hand Surg 2000;25A:772–775.
  • Fletcher, J, Blake, D, Zienowicz, R, Edstrom, L, Weiss, A, Akelman, E, Sullivan, P,  “Office-Based Operatory Experience:  an Overview of Anesthetic Technique, Procedures and Complications.  Rhode Island Medical Journal, 2001.
  • Fletcher, J, Edstrom, L, Weinzweig, J. “Craniofacial Conference Case Presentation – Fibrous Dysplasia”  Plastic Surgeons Forum, March-April, 2001,
  • (http://www.plasticsurgery.org/psf/ps/psf/home/gndrounds/mar01/index.htm)
  • Sullivan, P, Fletcher, J, “Rationale for Submucous Resection of Hypertrophied Inferior Turbinates in Rhinoplasty: An Evolution”  Discussion,  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2001.

  • Sullivan, P, Fletcher, J, “The Importance of Nasal-to-Cervical Relationship to the Profile and  Rhinoplasty Surgery”  Discussion, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2001.

  • Patel JC. Fletcher JW. Singer D. Sullivan P. Weinzweig J. An anatomic and histologic analysis of the alar-facial crease and the lateral crus. [Journal Article] Annals of Plastic Surgery. 52(4):371-4, 2004 Apr.

  • Koenig SJ. Toth AP. Martinez S. Fletcher JW. Goldner RD. Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the brachial artery caused by an osteochondroma, mimicking biceps rupture in a weightlifter: a case report. [Case Reports. Journal Article] American Journal of Sports Medicine. 32(4):1049-53, 2004 Jun.

  • Wang HT. Fletcher JW. Erdmann D. Levin LS. Use of the anterolateral thigh free flap for upper-extremity reconstruction.  Journal of Hand Surgery - American Volume. 30(4):859-64, 2005 Jul.

  • Low complication rate associated with raising mature flap for tibial nonunion reconstruction.
    Will RE; Fleming ME; Lafferty PM; Fletcher JW; Cole PA.
    Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection & Critical Care. 71(6):1709-14, 2011 Dec.

  • Objective structured assessment of technical skill in upper extremity surgery.
    VanHeest A. Kuzel B. Agel J. Putnam M. Kalliainen L. Fletcher J.
    Journal of Hand Surgery - American Volume. 37(2):332-7. 337.e1-4, 2012 Feb.

  • Ateriebigbi, K, Fletcher, J, Barta, J., Hill, B., Cole, P, Staged Calcaneus Osteocutaneous Filet Flap for Salvage of Transtibial Amputation: A Technical Trick, Journal Orthopedic Trauma, 2014.

  • WRIST Study Group: Chung KC, Kim HM, Haase SC, Lawton J, Ozer K, Waljee JF, Nellans K, Malay S, Shauver MJ; (HealthPartners Institute for Education and Research – Kalliainen L, Fletcher J, Heinrich C, Ward C, Hill BW).  Reflections One Year into the 22 Center NIH-funded WRIST Study.  A Primer on Conducting a Multicenter Clinical Trial.  J Hand Surg 2013;38A:1194–1201

  • Kamaldeen Aderibigbe, James W Fletcher, Ruth J Barta, Brian W Hill, Peter A Cole, Staged calcaneus osteocutaneous filet flap for salvage of transtibial amputation.  Foot Ankle Int, 2014, Jan 18-35(1): 71-9. Epup 2013 Oct 18.

  • Sieber D, Lacey A, Fletcher J, Kalliainen L., Cost Savings Using Minimal Hand Draping For Routine Hand Procedures. Minn Med. 2014 Sep;97(9):49.

Book Chapters
  • Fletcher, JW, Patel, J, Frostbite, Plastic Surgery Secrets ,ed. Weinzweig, J Hanley and Belfus, 1999, pp395-8
  • Fletcher, J, DIP Arthritis, Arthritis and Arthroplasty – The Hand, Wrist and Elbow.  Saunders, Sept. 2009
  • James W. Fletcher; Detlev Erdmann; L.Scott Levin. Local and distant flaps in recalcitrant carpal tunnel surgery. Atlas of Hand Clinics 2002;7(2):295-307.
  • Fletcher, J., Ligament Reconstruction Tendon Interposition Arthroplasty of the Thumb CMC Joint, Video content Volume 6., Plastic Surgery, Peter Neligan. 2012
Presentations
  • Fletcher, JW, Weinzweig, J, Spangenberger, A, Zienowicz, R, Poster Presentation -- “Effects of Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Variations on Perfusion in Primates”, Brown University/Lifespan Research Symposium, Nov. 10, 1999.
  • Fletcher, JW, Patel, J, Watson, K, Weinzweig, J, “The Finger Extension Test – A Reliable Indicator of Carpal Pathology”, Twenty-Seventh Annual Meeting of the New England Hand Society, Dec 03. 1999, Sturbridge.
  • Patel, J, Fletcher, JW, , Watson, K, Weinzweig, J, “The Finger Extension Test – A Reliable Indicator of Carpal Pathology”, ASSH Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 2000.
  • Fletcher, JW, Edstrom, LE, “Nerve Compression at the Wrist due to an Accessory Slip of the Palmaris Longus Muscle”, Twenty-Seventh Annual Meeting of the New England Hand Society, Dec 03. 1999, Sturbridge, MA.
  • Fletcher, JW, Weinzweig, J, Spangenberger, A, Zienowicz, R, Poster Presentation -- “Effects of Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Variations on Perfusion in Primates”  Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons,  Laconia, NH.
  • Fletcher, JW, Patel, J, Watson, K, Weinzweig, J, “The Finger Extension Test – A Reliable Indicator of Carpal Pathology”, Research Council, Seattle, Washington.
  • Fletcher, JW, Weinzweig, J, Spangenberger, A, Zienowicz, R, Poster Presentation -- “Effects of Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Variations on Perfusion in Primates”,  Poster, Research Council, Seattle, Washington.
  • Fletcher, JW, Kim, C, Spangenberger, A.,, Weinzweig, J.  “Wrist Kinematics During the Finger Extension Test” Poster Presentation, Brown University/Lifespan Research Symposium, 2000.
  • Kim, C, Fletcher, JW, Spangenberger, A, Weinzweig, J  “The Effect of Joint Leveling Procedures In The Finger Extension Test” Poster Presentation, Brown University/Lifespan Research Symposium, 2000.
  • Fletcher, JW, Weinzweig, J, Spangenberger, A, Zienowicz, R, Poster Presentation -- “Effects of Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Variations on Perfusion in Primates”, ASPS Annual Scientific Meeting, LA, California. Oct. 2000.
  • Fletcher, JW, Kim, C, Spangenberger, A.,, Weinzweig, J.  “Wrist Kinematics During the Finger Extension Test” Twenty-Eighth Annual Meeting of the New England Hand Society, Dec 4. 2000. Sturbridge, MA.
  • Kim, C, Fletcher, JW, Spangenberger, A, Weinzweig, J  “The Effect of Joint Leveling Procedures In The Finger Extension Test”  Twenty-Eighth Annual Meeting of the New England Hand Society, Dec 4. 2000. Sturbridge, MA.
  • Fletcher, JW, Edstrom, L.  “The Use of Networking with Digital Imaging in an Academic Plastic Surgery Department”  Tortola, Bahamas. 2001
  • Fletcher, J, Kim, C, Spangenberger, A, Weinzweig, J,  “The Effect of TGF-β and PDGF on an Impaired Model of Wound Healing” - Poster, PSEF Senior Residents Conference, March 29-31, 2001, Providence, RI.
  • Fletcher, JW, Kim, C, Spangenberger, A, Weinzweig, J.  “Wrist Kinematics During the Finger Extension Test”  -  PSEF Senior Residents Conference, March 29-31, 2001, Providence, RI.
  • Fletcher, J, Blake, D, Zienowicz, R, Edstrom, L, Sullivan, P, ”The use of Anesthetic Blocks as an Adjuvant to Sedation as an Effective and Safe Method for Aesthetic Surgery of the Trunk and Abdomen in an Office Based Setting.  The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aesthetic Meeting, NY, NY, May 7, 2001.
  • Fletcher, JW, Kim, C, Spangenberger, A, Weinzweig, J.  “Wrist Kinematics During the Finger Extension Test”  Northeastern Society Plastic Surgery Meeting, Mystic, CT, June, 2001.
  • Kim, C, Fletcher, JW, Spangenberger, A, Weinzweig, J  “The Effect of Joint Leveling Procedures In The Finger Extension Test” Northeastern Society Plastic Surgery Meeting, Mystic, CT, June, 2001.
  • Patel, J, Fletcher, J, Kim, C, Minitti, G, Spangenberger, A, Weinzweig, J, Sullivan, P.  “  The Lower Lateral Cartilages,  An Anatomic and Histologic Apprasial” Northeastern Society Plastic Surgery Meeting, Mystic, CT, June, 2001.
  • Serleth, H, Dries, D. Fletcher, J., “Laproscopic Harvest of Rectus Muscle for Free Tissue Transfer”,  Laproscopic Society, MN Society of Plastic Surgery Mar 2012 -  
  • Prashant Upadhyaya, Marie Obst, David Dries, James Fletcher, MD  “Ventral Hernia repair, a Team approach.” Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Symposium, Washington DC, June 2012
  • Matthew Sherrill, MD, James Fletcher, MD , “Lower Extremity Soft Tissue Reconstruction as Related to Microbiology” MN Society of Plastic Surgery Mar 2012 -  .  
  • Robert G Neumann, MD, Hans J Serleth, MD, David Dries, MD and James W Fletcher, MD , “Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Harvest Technique of Rectus Abdominis Muscle Free Flap for the Traumatized Lower Extremity”, Society of Laparoscopic Surgery annual meeting (Boston - September 2012).
  • Vidas Dumasias, MD, James Fletcher, MD, “Use of SPY for Perforator Location in Lower Extremity Propeller Flaps, 15th International Course on Perforator Flaps, NYC, Nov. 2013.  Poster Presentation
  • Ruth Barta, MD,  James Fletcher, MD “Operative and literature review of the calcaneal osteocutaneous filet foot flap”, Healthpartners Institute for Medical Research Day, Sept 18, 2013
  • Ruth Barta, MD,  James Fletcher, MD “Operative and literature review of the calcaneal osteocutaneous filet foot flap”, Healthpartners Resident Research Showcase, Oct 3, 2013.
  • Chung, Kevin, Et Al.  A First Year Update and Reflection of the 21 Center NIH-funded Wrist and Radius Injury Surgical Trial (WRIST).  68th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, October 3-5, 2013 in San Francisco, CA
  • Sieber D, Lacey A, Kalliainen L, Fletcher J. “Cost savings using minimal draping for routine hand procedures.” - 2014 American association of hand surgery annual meeting, January 8-11, 2014 Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Kauai, Hawaii.
  • David Dries, MD, James Fletcher, MD, “Damage Control Technique for Reconstruction of Abdominal Fistulas and Large Abdominal Wall Hernias”  Minnesota Surgical Society Annual Meeting, April, 14, 2014.
Honors & Awards

State of Missouri Academic Scholarship
St. Louis University 1987 - 1991

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
St. Louis University 1990 – 1991

Alpha Sigma Nu
National Jesuit Honor Society
St. Louis University  1991

Alpha Epsilon Delta
Premedical Honor Society
St. Louis University  1990

Alpha Omega Alpha
Honor Medical Society
St. Louis University School of Medicine  1995

Merck and Lange Scholastic Award  
St. Louis University School of Medicine  1995

Departmental Award
Surgery
St. Louis University School of Medicine  1995

Brown University School of Medicine
Department of Surgery
Outstanding Intern Award  1996

“Best Doctors”
Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine 2012

“Best Doctors for Women”
Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine 2013

“Best Doctors”
Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine 2013

“Best Doctors”
Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine 2014

“Best Doctors”
Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine 2015

“Best Doctors”
Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine 2016

Positions Held
  • Elected Social Chairman, St. Louis University School of Medicine  1991 – 1993
  • Elected Class President, St. Louis University School of Medicine  1993 – 1995
  • Online Education Committee, Plastic Surgery Education Network for Hand Curriculum
  • Steering Committee Perioperative Improvement Process, Regions Hospital
  • Graduate Medical Education Committee 2002-present
  • Co-Director Hand Surgery, Regions Hospital 2013
  • Program Directory Plastic Surgery Residency, University of Minnesota, 2013
Humanitarian Work
  • People to People, Relief mission to Haiti  1987
  • People to People, Relief mission to Haiti  1990
  • Common Hope Medical Mission to Guatemala, 2004
  • Philippine Medical Mission, Cadiz, 2010
  • Philippine Medical Mission, Alaminos, 2012
  • Philippine Medical Mission, Catarman, 2014
  • Philippine Medical Mission, Marivelles, 2016
Dr. Fletcher Experience & Education