Jonathan S. Weyerbacher, MD

Jonathan Weyerbacher, MD, MPH, is a pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeon focused on helping children with cleft and other craniofacial conditions. He performs surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates and provides ongoing care to support speech, facial development and overall function. Dr. Weyerbacher also works with neurosurgeons on procedures for craniosynostosis and treats complex wounds, facial injuries, and other congenital differences.

His journey into health care started during his master’s degree in public health studies at Saint Louis University, where connecting with patients inspired him to pursue a medical degree. Dr. Weyerbacher completed surgical training at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where he found pediatric plastic surgery the most rewarding way to make a lasting difference for children and families. Building on this passion, he completed an independent plastic surgery residency at the University of California, Davis in Sacramento, followed by a pediatric craniofacial and plastic surgery fellowship at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. His first year of practice was at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania, where he helped run the cleft lip and palate clinic. Outside of work, Dr. Weyerbacher loves spending time outdoors with his wife and their dogs, mountain biking, cycling, trail running, open water swimming, skiing, and fly fishing.

The services Dr. Weyerbacher provides include:

• Cleft lip and palate care across childhood, including initial repairs, bone grafting, and speech surgeries
• Cleft rhinoplasty
• Jaw correction for children with cleft or congenital differences
• Cranial vault reconstruction for craniosynostosis
• Treatment of facial injuries and trauma
• Removal of benign growths (lumps and bumps)
• Correction of ear deformities
• Reconstruction of complex wounds requiring skin grafts or flaps
• Removal of extra fingers or toes
• Repair of fused fingers

• MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's

• Spandau DF, Chen R, Wargo JJ, Rohan CA, Southern D, Zhang A, Loesch M, Weyerbacher J, Tholpady SS, Lewis DA, Kuhar M, Tsai KY, Castellanos AJ, Kemp MG, Markey M, Cates E, Williams AR, Knisely C, Bashir S, Gabbard R, Hoopes R, Travers JB. Randomized controlled trial of fractionated laser resurfacing on aged skin as prophylaxis against actinic neoplasia. J Clin Invest. 2021 Oct 1;131(19):e150972. doi: 10.1172/JCI150972. PMID: 34428179; PMCID: PMC8483749.

• Firriolo JM, Xue Y, Weyerbacher JS, Saldana GM, Garfinkel A, Garcia TC, Arzi B, Wong GB. Biomechanical Performance of Biodegradable Screw Fixation in Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis. J Craniofac Surg. 2023 Oct 1;34(7):2228-2231. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009691. Epub 2023 Sep 4. PMID: 37665084.

• Weyerbacher J, Jacobson L, Saxe J. Do contradictions in TQIP measures affect perceptions of quality. An analysis of TQIP definitions on quality outcomes for placement of ICP monitoring at a single level one trauma center. Am J Surg. 2019 Mar;217(3):509-511. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.10.033. Epub 2018 Oct 28. PMID: 30553457.

• Harrison KA, Romer E, Weyerbacher J, Ocana JA, Sahu RP, Murphy RC, Kelly LE, Smith TA, Rapp CM, Borchers C, Cool DR, Li G, Simman R, Travers JB. Enhanced Platelet-Activating Factor Synthesis Facilitates Acute and Delayed Effects of Ethanol-Intoxicated Thermal Burn Injury. J Invest Dermatol. 2018 Nov;138(11):2461-2469. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.04.039. Epub 2018 May 30. PMID: 29857067; PMCID: PMC6996586.

• Sahu RP, Harrison KA, Weyerbacher J, Murphy RC, Konger RL, Garrett JE, Chin-Sinex HJ, Johnston ME 2nd, Dynlacht JR, Mendonca M, McMullen K, Li G, Spandau DF, Travers JB. Radiation therapy generates platelet-activating factor agonists. Oncotarget. 2016 Apr 12;7(15):20788-800. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.7878. PMID: 26959112; PMCID: PMC4991492.

Everyone knows that the one thing we do when we are happy is smile and smiling is infectious and helps us all. I believe everyone has the right to smile and that is why I am so invested in helping children, especially with cleft deformities, gain that ability to have a bright and healthy smile.