ABOUT

Dr. De La Cruz, a Filipino American, entered college at the age of fifteen and received his Bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, where he graduated summa cum laude, majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology. He successfully balanced his studies with volunteer work at the Texas Mental Health & Mental Retardation Center in Lubbock, Texas.

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Following four years of medical school training in Houston at the University of Texas, where he earned the Frank Webber Prize in medical research, Dr. De La Cruz spent the next several years in California, where he successfully completed a rigorous training in general surgery at Loma Linda University. During his third year as a surgery resident, he developed the “Celtic cross technique” for immediate umbilical reconstruction, which was published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, one of the world’s leading international journals in reconstructive surgery. Dr. De La Cruz was subsequently double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and by the American Board of Surgery.

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With the aim of further refining his surgical skills and knowledge, as well as his interest in hand surgery since he was a child (after undergoing a finger replant himself), Dr. De La Cruz pursued further training in Hand and Microsurgery at Oregon Health Sciences University under the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. There, he acquired extensive experience in microsurgery, and learned to be more meticulous and precise with his surgical dissections. He finished the program with flying colors, and performed more than nine hundred procedures during his training.

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Dr. De La Cruz pursued further training in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the Georgia Health & Sciences University (formerly known as Medical College of Georgia), where he honed his skills in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. At the Georgia Health & Sciences University, he refined his techniques in breast reconstruction (Free TRAM, DIEP free flaps), craniofacial surgery, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction and fat grafting, breast augmentation (breast implant surgery), facelift, rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation with BOTOX®/dermal fillers, and other aspects of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. With over nine years of surgical training, Dr. De La Cruz also served as Chief Surgery Resident in Plastic Surgery, and scored 94th percentile nationally on the 2010 Plastic Surgery Inservice Examination.

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As sculptor and painter, Dr. De La Cruz blends art and plastic surgery to create natural, beautiful results for his cosmetic surgery patients.  Under the tutelage of a world renowned French sculptor, Philippe Faraut, Dr. De La Cruz further honed his skills in advanced body sculpting.

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Every year Dr. De La Cruz volunteers his time to help indigent children in the Philippines.  There he performs life-changing cleft lip and cleft plate surgeries as well as breast reconstruction in breast cancer patients.  Because of his humanitarian efforts, Dr. De La Cruz received multiple awards including the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital "Helping Hands Award", the "We Are One" Award in Stockholm, Sweden; and the Global 7 "Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award."  He recently received a Congressional Recognition by The United States Congress for his humanitarian efforts.

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Professional Education

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Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Residency

 

• 94th percentile nationally, Plastic Surgery Inservice Examination

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• Medical College of Georgia

       Augusta, GA

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General Surgery Residency

 

• Loma Linda University School of Medicine

       Loma Linda, CA

 

Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship

 

• Oregon Health & Sciences Univ. School of Medicine

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• Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, and Department of Orthopedics

       Portland, Oregon

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Education

 

• University of Texas Medical School Houston, TX

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• Medical Doctorate

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• Frank C. Webber Prize for Medical Research

       Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX

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• Bachelor of Science in Cellular & Molecular Biology

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• Minor in Biochemistry Summa Cum Laude Graduate

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Licensure & Certification

 

• Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

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• Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery

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• Medical Board of Georgia

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• Texas Medical Board

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• Medical Board of California

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• United States Medical Licensing Examination Steps 1, 2 & 3

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• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certified

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• Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Certified

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Awards & Distinctions

 

• "Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award" by Global 7/Houston international Trade Development Council, 2018

• Congressional Recognition Award by The United States Congress 2018

• "We Are One" Humanitarian Award in Stockholm Sweden, 2017

• "Helping Hands Award" awarded by St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 2016

• 94th percentile, 2010 Plastic Surgery Inservice Examination

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• Judge, Miss Teen World 2011

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• TV Show Guest at Latina Spice, 2012

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• Former Chief Resident in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Georgia Health Sciences University

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• Surgical Residency Advisory Council, Loma Linda University

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• General Surgery Residency Review Committee, LLUMC

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• Frank C. Webber Prize for Medical Research, University of Texas Medical School Research Convention

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• Summa Cum Laude Graduate, Texas Tech University

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• President’s Honor Roll & Dean’s List, Texas Tech University

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• Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society

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• Golden Key National Honors Society

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• Texas Tech University Department of Biological Sciences Honors

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• Texas Mental Health & Mental Retardation Center Award of Excellence

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Publications

 

De La Cruz E, Delacruz BP (2024) Reducing Risks in Large Volume Liposuction: The Role of Oral Anticoagulants in Preventing Thromboembolism. Journal of Hematology & Thromboembolic Disease.12:593.

 

De La Cruz E. Lipoplasty in the Overweight Patient. Clinics in  Plastic Surgery. 2024 Jan;51(1):29-43. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2023.06.010. Epub 2023 Aug 8. PMID: 37945074.

 

Emmanuel De La Cruz MD, PLLC. “Celtic Cross Technique for Immediate Umbilical Reconstruction” Book Chapter  pp323-328 Adult Umbilical Reconstruction 2017

 

Kevin P Lally, Emmanuel De La Cruz & Hasen Xue.  The Role of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Interleukin-10 in Protecting Murine Neonates from Escherichia coli Sepsis.  Journal of Pediatric Surgery Vol 35 No.6 June 2000 p852-855

 

Emmanuel De La Cruz MD,  Raffat Jaber MD, Arnold Tabuenca MD, & Victor Joe MD.  The “Celtic Cross” Technique for Immediate Umbilical Reconstruction Post-Laparotomy and Surgical Ablation of the Umbilicus. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery.  January 2009

 

Emmanuel De La Cruz MD, and Robert Orfaly MD.  Incidence of Non-Union Post-Intercarpal Arthrodesis Using the Circular Plate in Wrist Arthritis.  Abstract submission to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 2008 Annual Meeting.

 

Emmanuel De La Cruz MD, Harry Intsiful MD, & Mabel Gamboa MD.  Squamous cell carcinoma arising from a tattoo.  Submitted to the Annals of Plastic Surgery.

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Presentations & Research

 

 

4D VASER Hi-Def Liposculpture in Men:  New Advances & Techniques.  Key Note Speaker and International Plastic Surgery Faculty (invited by Dr. Foad Nahai, Professor of Plastic Surgery Emory University & Honorary President of Aestheticstanbul).

AESTHETICSTANBUL 2021. November 2022.  Istanbul, Turkey.

 

 

Surgical Pearls in High Definition Liposuction:  International Plastic Surgery Faculty.  June  9 to 11, 2022 TD ABS Meeting 2022.  Cartagena, Colombia

 

Use of Renuvion in High Definition Liposuction:  International Plastic Surgery Faculty.  June  9 to 11, 2022 TD ABS Meeting 2022.  Cartagena, Colombia

 

The Art of Sculpting and Vector-Based Liposuction:  Key Note Speaker and International Plastic Surgery Faculty.  TD ABS Meeting 2020.  Cartagena, Colombia

 

Correction of Contour Irregularities using Combination Therapy with VASER and Renuvion:  Key Note Speaker and International Plastic Surgery Faculty.  TD ABS Meeting 2020.  Cartagena, Colombia

 

The Art of Sculpting and Vector-Based Liposuction:  High-definition Liposuction Expert Panelist.  American Society of Plastic Surgeon’s The Meeting 2020

 

 

 

Prevention of Murine Neonatal Sepsis Using TNF-alpha and IL-10. Presented at The University of Texas Medical School Research Conference in  Houston, TX  1998. 

 

High Frequency Ventilation for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Randomized Prospective Trial.  Presented at Loma Linda University Medical Center Research Day 2002.  Loma Linda,  CA.  An Ongoing Clinical Trial.

 

Adhesion Prevention: The Use of Seprafilm.  General Surgery Grand Rounds Presentation,  Loma Linda University Medical Center.   Loma  Linda, CA.  2003.

 

The Role of Carotid Stent/Angioplasty in Carotid Stenosis. General Surgery Grand Rounds Presentation,  Loma Linda University Medical Center.   Loma  Linda, CA.  December  2004.

 

The Role of Neurectomy in Ilioinguinal/Iliohypogastric Nerve Syndrome. General Surgery Grand Rounds Presentation, Loma Linda University Medical Center.  Loma Linda, CA  April  2005; Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Surgery Conference,  October  2006

 

Role of Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery in Venous Stasis Ulcer. General Surgery Grand Rounds Presentation,  Loma Linda University Medical Center.   Loma  Linda, CA.  December  2005.

 

Radiation-Induced Cancer Risks from Pediatric Computed Tomography. Pediatric Surgery Grand Rounds Presentation, LLUMC March  2006.

 

Indications for and Timing of Tracheostomy.  Trauma & Surgical Critical Care Grand Rounds Presentation. Loma Linda, CA  June  2006; Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Trauma Conference, September  2006

 

Pulmonary Metastasectomy: Current Indications.  VA Surgical Oncology Grand Rounds.  Loma Linda, CA   July  2006

 

The “Celtic Cross” Technique for Immediate Umbilical Reconstruction.  General Surgery Grand Rounds Presentation, Loma Linda University Medical Center.  May 2007.

 

Reconstruction of the Traumatic Amputated Thumb.  Hand Surgery Conference, Oregon Health & Sciences University.  July 2007.

 

Hand Fractures & Dislocations. Hand Surgery Conference, OHSU. July 2007.

 

Acute Infections of the Hand.  Hand Surgery Conference, Oregon Health & Sciences University, August 2007.

The Use of Seprafilm for Prevention of Tendon Adhesions Post-Flexor Tendon Reconstruction.  OHSU Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Conference: Clinical Research Proposals.  August 2007

 

The Surgical Management of Kienbock’s & Presier’s Disease.  OHSU Hand Surgery Conference, November 2007.

 

Thumb Reconstruction with Toe-to-Thumb Transfer.  OHSU Plastic Surgery Conference, December 2007.

 

 

The Surgical Management of  Congenital Hand Anomalies.  OHSU Hand Surgery Conference.   January 2008.

 

Management of Median Nerve Injuries.  OHSU Hand Surgery Conference. March 2008

 

Recurrent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  OHSU Hand Surgery Conference. April 2008

 

The Surgical Management of Cerebral Palsy.  OHSU Hand Surgery Conference.  May 2008

 

Incidence of Non-Union Post-Intercarpal Arthrodesis Using the Circular Plate in Wrist Arthritis.  Abstract submission to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 2008 Annual Meeting.

 

Distraction Lengthening: Its Role in Hand Surgery.  OHSU Hand Surgery Conference. June 2008

 

Benign & Malignant Skin Lesions. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. July 2009.

 

Nasal Reconstruction with Local Flaps. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. September 2010

 

Nasal Fractures and Its Treatment. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. July 2009.

Craniofacial Genetics & Dysmorphology. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. September 2009

 

Lattisimus Dorsi for Breast Reconstruction. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. September 2009

 

Breast Reconstruction with TRAM & DIEP Free Flaps. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. September 2009.

 

Rhytidectomy (Facelift). Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. December 2009.

 

Hair Restoration with Hair Transplant. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. December 2009.

 

Breast Reduction:  Techniques & How to Avoid Complications. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. December 2009

 

Nasal Reconstruction. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. February 2010

 

Vascular Anomalies. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. March 2010

 

Scalp & Calvarial Reconstruction. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. May  2010

 

Secondary Rhinoplasty. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. August 2010.

 

Abdominoplasty Techniques.  Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. September 2010

 

Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture October 2010

 

Liposculpture. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. September 2010

 

Breast Augmentation: The Dual Plane Technique. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. December 2010.

 

Zygomatic & Maxillary Fractures. Medical College of Georgia Facial Trauma Conference & Lecture. January 2010

 

Vertical Mastopexy (Breast Lift). Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. January 2010

Facial Anatomy:  Its Importance in Facial Plastic Surgery. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. June 2010.

                                                                  

BOTOX & Dermal Fillers. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. June 2010

 

Facelift with SMAS Flaps. Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. July 2010

 

Surgical Management of Pressure Sores   Medical College of Georgia Plastic Surgery Conference & Lecture. May 2011

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