Juan Berner, MD, DPhil

Juan Berner, MD, is an assistant professor and medical director of microvascular reconstruction in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at The University of Texas at San Antonio. He specializes in complex reconstructive procedures for patients undergoing cancer treatment, with a focus on restoring form and function.

Dr. Berner earned his medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and completed his plastic surgery residency in England, where he obtained specialist certification from the Royal College of Surgeons and the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. He also completed advanced microsurgical fellowships in Newcastle upon Tyne and London, focusing on oncologic reconstruction. Before joining UT San Antonio, he practiced as a consultant plastic surgeon in the United Kingdom.

His clinical expertise includes microsurgical, or free flap, reconstruction, which uses a patient’s own tissue to achieve natural, long-lasting results after cancer surgery. He treats patients who need head and neck, sarcoma and breast reconstruction, offering individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s goals and needs. His reconstructive options include advanced procedures such as deep inferior epigastric perforator, or DIEP, flaps and profunda artery perforator, or PAP, flaps.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Berner is an active researcher dedicated to advancing cancer reconstruction. He holds a Master of Science in surgical science and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford. He has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed publications and received multiple awards for his contributions to the field. He is also frequently invited to speak at national and international meetings.

Dr. Berner is committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care while working closely with multidisciplinary teams to help patients restore confidence, function and quality of life after cancer treatment.