A surgeon’s reputation typically rests on outcomes measured in operating rooms and patient reviews. For Dr. Andrew Jacono, an equally important measure is the number of lives touched through humanitarian work that operates entirely outside the commercial practice of medicine.
Based in New York and dual board-certified in facial plastic surgery and head and neck surgery, Dr. Jacono has accumulated a humanitarian record that spans domestic abuse recovery programs and pediatric surgical missions across multiple continents. His work began taking shape after a formative experience in medical school, watching reconstructive surgery open new social possibilities for a child with a cleft lip and palate.
The FACE TO FACE Program
Dr. Andrew Jacono’s pro bono surgical work with domestic violence survivors flows primarily through the FACE TO FACE project of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. As the program’s senior advisor, he has performed facial reconstruction procedures for more than 100 survivors, donating both his time and expertise.
The 2011 documentary series Facing Trauma, broadcast on Discovery Fit & Health and later on the Oprah Winfrey Network, gave national visibility to this work. The show followed Dr. Jacono through surgeries for abuse victims and traumatic injury patients, documenting the medical and emotional dimensions of facial reconstruction.
Formal recognition came from several quarters. In 2006, the Center for the Women of New York presented him with a “Good Guy” Award. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy entered formal commendations into the Congressional Record. As chair of ABOUT FACE: MAKING CHANGES for nine years running, Dr. Jacono helped sustain an annual benefit dedicated to survivors of domestic violence.
Mission Work and Its Impact on Children
Dr. Andrew Jacono has operated on more than 750 children during international missions to Colombia, Ecuador, Thailand, Vietnam, and other destinations. Partner organizations include Healing the Children, the HUGS Foundation, and THAI Children. He performs cleft lip and palate repairs, microtia corrections, facial tumor removals, and burn scar revisions, addressing both functional impairments and the social stigma these visible conditions carry.
Fundraising expeditions have taken him up Kilimanjaro, Cotopaxi, and Elbrus. His faculty positions at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and North Shore University Hospital, paired with his Fellowship Director role at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, keep humanitarian medicine central to the surgical education he provides. Refer to this article for related information.
Follow for more about Dr. Andrew Jacono on https://www.youtube.com/c/drandrewjacono