Although plastic surgery offers a wide array of cosmetic benefits, procedures can also be used to correct medical and physical conditions that may otherwise have a detrimental impact on an individual’s life. Our own Dr. E Philip Gutek has witnessed the impact of these surgeries first-hand as a participant in medical mission trips.
“I’ve been on 9 trips,” he says. “I’ve been to Romania seven times, India once and Ecuador. I take care of children who would not otherwise be taken care of—working with cleft lips and paletes, and a lot of burn injuries.”
Dr. Gutek is preparing to return to Romania in August, a country that holds a special place in his heart. “There’s an orphanage in Romania and I have a special child there that I’m taking care of,” he says. “Elaina is 8 years old and is Romano, which is another name for a gypsy. She was left somewhere and picked up by the orphanage.”
Through visits and regular updates, Dr. Gutek keeps in touch with Elaina, checking in on her well-being and learning more about her. He says “she does handstands, rides a skateboard and listens to Michael Jackson and dances. She draws pictures for me, and I take her a set of clothes when I go.”
Romania is also the site of Dr. Gutek’s first medical mission trip, an unexpected opportunity that left him seeking more opportunities in which to give back.
“I was working at a hospital, and one of the nurses needed someone to go to Romania,” he says. “Once you go on one of these mission trips, you keep thinking when you can go back.”
Dr. Gutek’s philanthropic work hasn’t only been noticed by the grateful patients he’s helped. He was recently honored with a Humanitarian Award for Service from the Medical Missions Foundation in recognition of his continuing service to those in need.
While stateside, Dr. Gutek continues his work at Associated Plastic Surgeons. A Canada native, Dr. Gutek trained in Kansas City at Saint Luke’s Hospital before returning to Canada to work with a general practitioner. He returned to Kansas City to complete training, and has been practicing here since 1977.
Although Dr. Gutek is experienced in a variety of plastic surgery procedures, he specializes in rejuvenation face lifts using a harmonic scalpel. He also enjoys the challenges presented by reconstructive surgery, and is also particularly interested in a newer technology called slim lipo, in which a laser is used to melt fat cells through small incisions.
“That’s one of the exciting things about plastic surgery,” he says. “It’s constantly evolving. Like with face lifts—they’re much less radical now, more diagnostic. We do less during the procedure, but I think we do a better job.”
Every day at the clinic brings a different challenge or situation, something Dr. Gutek says is one of the many benefits of his career.
“I enjoy everything about my job even though I’ve been in practice for a long time,” he says. “I’m eager for the next day and excited to make people feel good about themselves.”
The medical mission trips are also one of Dr. Gutek’s passions, and something he plans to continue for the foreseeable future. He “particulary likes” going to Ecuador, and is planning a trip next year to Honduras.
