The UAB Department of Otolaryngology welcomed Natalie Derise, M.D., to the faculty as an assistant professor in October 2024.
Derise earned her Bachelor of Science in biological engineering from Louisiana State University (LSU) at Baton Rouge and her doctorate from the LSU Health Sciences Center. Prior to joining the faculty, Derise completed her residency in the UAB Department of Otolaryngology and her fellowship for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Washington.
Derise shares what she is most excited about in this new role.
What is your primary area of expertise within your field?
Derise: I am trained in the full breadth of facial plastic surgery, encompassing both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. This comprehensive foundation allows me to approach each case with a versatile skill set and deep understanding of the intricate balance between function and aesthetics. I’m driven by the challenge to blend art and science, combining precise surgical skills with an artistic eye to create results that look natural, yet transformative. Facial plastic surgery offers a unique space where anatomy, aesthetics, and empathy converge, allowing me to help patients regain confidence, heal from trauma, or simply feel more at ease in their own skin.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Derise: My inspiration to pursue a career in facial plastic surgery first sprouted from my upbringing in Louisiana. Growing up surrounded by the vibrant culture and strong sense of community of Lafayette, Louisiana, I came to appreciate how personal identity and expression are shaped by our shared experiences and interactions. Our faces, as the most visible part of who we are, play a crucial role in forming connections and fostering understanding among people.
The ability of facial plastic surgery to restore, enhance, or transform someone’s appearance—and in turn, their confidence and relationships—deeply resonates with me.
This career allows me to pursue my passion for helping people feel empowered in their own skin, enabling them to fully engage with the world and the people around them.
What aspects of your new role here are you most excited about?
Derise: Returning to a teaching role in the department where I completed my residency, I am most looking forward to propagating the mentorship that had such a profound impact on my training. I find it a privilege to have the opportunity to shape and guide the next generation of surgeons.
What are your goals for making an impact through both your teaching and patient care in this role?
Derise: Ultimately, it is the ability to connect with patients on a deeply personal level, listen to their stories, and support them through their journeys that truly inspires me. This career path aligns with my desire to not only enhance physical features but also to positively impact the lives and well-being of those I have the privilege to treat. I look forward to sharing in this experience with my patients and residents at the wonderful UAB Hospital.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Derise: Geaux Tigers!