Christian J. Vecler, MD

Dr. Vercler is a Professor in the Section of Plastic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Michigan Medicine, with a joint appointment in the Department of Neurosurgery. His clinical work focuses on pediatric plastic surgery and craniofacial conditions in both children and adults. He serves as Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Program Director of the Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship, and Director of the Craniofacial Anomalies Program at the University of Michigan.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Wheaton College, followed by his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Vercler completed general surgery training at Emory University, plastic surgery training at the Harvard Plastic Surgery Program, and a fellowship in Craniofacial Surgery at the University of Michigan. He is board-certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Vercler has published over 100 articles in medical journals and has a strong interest in medical ethics. He completed a fellowship in Clinical Ethics at the Emory University Center for Ethics and earned a Master of Arts in Bioethics from Trinity. He currently serves as Associate Director of Michigan Bioethics, was chair of the Pediatric Ethics Committee at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital for over a decade. He also chairs the Bioethics Committee of the Michigan State Medical Society and has previously served in leadership for ethics committees for numerous national professional organizations, including the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.