Michael A. Howard, MD

4.9 
1016 ratings  Read Reviews
Northwestern Medicine logoNorthwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Plastic Surgery

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Practice Website

Practice Focus Areas

Education

Medical Education:
MD, Emory University School of Medicine - 1997
Residency:
MedStar Health/Georgetown University - 2003
Fellowships:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - 2004

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Plastic Surgery - Plastic Surgery (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Clinical Assistant Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:
Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:
Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:
Grayslake Ambulatory Surgery Center
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital
Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.9
4.9 

1016 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

91 Reviews

Reviews from Patients

91 Reviews

April 22, 2024

5.0

My appointment ran smoothly. I was happy with Dr. Howard and his staff of assistants. He was personable, nice and answered my questions.

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April 15, 2024

5.0

He had a cyst on his face and he removed it

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April 12, 2024

5.0

Dr. Howard has been very helpful with what I need and will need to get through my diagnosis.

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April 07, 2024

5.0

No one better

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April 06, 2024

5.0

Very caring and amazingly skilled

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April 05, 2024

5.0

He listened, cared, counseled, and supportive at the initial visit and then pre, during and post surgery was very attentive and supportive.

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April 05, 2024

5.0

Professional and knowledgeable! It appears he loves what he does and is confident. Makes one feel safe and assured that I picked the right person to do what needs to be done.

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April 04, 2024

5.0

Dr Howard was thorough, understood our concerns, shared options in a clear and no-pressure way.

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March 29, 2024

5.0

He is very skilled and kind and has great bedside manner

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March 23, 2024

5.0

He sincerely apologized for the delay and told me he wanted to give me all the time I needed. He was kind and attentive as I shared my issue and explained my options and the cost for each.

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March 21, 2024

5.0

Dr. Howard explained my options and I found his manner comforting. He was not dismissive of any of my questions.

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March 19, 2024

5.0

Very professional and empathetic at the same time.

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March 19, 2024

5.0

He is the best.

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March 19, 2024

5.0

Very caring and amazing skills

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March 18, 2024

5.0

He is pleasant and great at what he does.

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March 18, 2024

5.0

Skilled and efficient

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March 12, 2024

5.0

He does great work!

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March 06, 2024

5.0

I’ve had a great experience under Dr. Howard’s care. He and his team are very responsive when I have concerns. I trust his opinion.

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March 04, 2024

5.0

Great bedside manner. Took his time explaining everything. Was also very direct about my health situation which I appreciated.

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March 01, 2024

5.0

Dr. Howard was very personable and thoroughly answered all of my questions.

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February 23, 2024

5.0

Great job with the reconstruction he did for me. And a very caring, compassionate surgeon. He gave me great confidence in what he would be doing.

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February 15, 2024

5.0

Easy to talk to and he answered any questions and explained things in common terms.

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February 13, 2024

5.0

Very skilled

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February 12, 2024

5.0

Dr. Howard is kind, personable and listens. I appreciate that I don't feel rushed and we are able to thoroughly discuss all my concerns.

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February 08, 2024

5.0

Doctor cares about his patients

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February 05, 2024

5.0

I considered 3 plastic surgeons for this work. Dr Howard was one of 2 my PC doctor recommended who I interviewed. I had never had any plastic surgery before, so did not know what to expect. After meeting Dr Howard, I felt at ease. He did a great job setting my expectations about and during the procedure. He spoke to me in a clear, respectful and user-friendly way, never condescending. He took the time to listen to my concerns. Very approachable doctor all around and would highly recommend to others needing similar work.

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February 05, 2024

5.0

Very professional, caring, understanding, listener, and truthful. He will answer all of your questions and he will answer and address his concerns about your health before going forward. Dr Michael Howard is an honest and trustworthy doctor in his field of practice.

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February 02, 2024

5.0

Thoughtful and kind, very attentive and caring. Expert at what he does

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February 02, 2024

5.0

Two separate surgeons I trust recommended him. Very personable and clearly cares about each patient’s experience.

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February 02, 2024

5.0

Felt very well cared for and respected. Felt Dr Howard listened to me, answered my questions well and is very knowledgeable in his field

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January 30, 2024

5.0

I have faith in Dr. Howard’s abilities.

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January 26, 2024

5.0

Dr. Howard is wonderful and so easy to talk with and ask questions to. He truly makes you feel like a person not just another surgery.

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January 22, 2024

5.0

Great rapport builder, Thorough, active listening, excellent communication and obviously outstanding surgeon.

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January 20, 2024

5.0

Kind, caring, & excellent surgeon

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January 10, 2024

5.0

Very knowledgeable, gave me options and explained very well what to expect. Answered all my questions.

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December 30, 2023

5.0

Fantastic doctor. Very competent

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December 29, 2023

5.0

Great bedside manner, easy to talk to. Very professional and he made my overall experience great. I felt comfortable at Lake Forest.

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December 29, 2023

5.0

Excellent credentials Skilled surgeon

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December 26, 2023

5.0

He was experienced, understood my situation, and gave sound advice.

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December 22, 2023

5.0

I would definitely recommend Dr Howard to others as he is polite, professional, and took the time to explain the treatment plan. Dr Howard is wonderful! Genuinely cares for his patients.

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December 22, 2023

5.0

Great talented and professional team. They delivered!

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December 19, 2023

5.0

See above. He is simply an elite professional in his field.

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December 19, 2023

5.0

He is very caring and makes sure everything is correct before proceeding.

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December 18, 2023

5.0

He’s experienced and very good.

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December 16, 2023

5.0

Skilled, caring, communicative, talented, and ab le to execute on projected plan for reconstruction. I feel safe with this plastic surgeon and his team.

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December 13, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard is an excellent doctor. He cares for his patients, is very honest and has a comforting bed side manner.

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December 12, 2023

5.0

Takes time to answer all questions.

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December 10, 2023

5.0

Dr Howard is very nice, well educated, listens to you, and did a great job for mt surgery. He is a breath of fresh air and I am very thankful for his reconstructive skills.

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December 05, 2023

5.0

Very happy and grateful to have had such a great doctor like Dr. Howard through my cancer treatment.

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December 04, 2023

5.0

Very professional

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December 01, 2023

5.0

Service and expertise

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November 28, 2023

5.0

One of the best in his field. Came highly recommended by my surgeon Dr [name], who’s opinion, I regard in the highest.

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November 18, 2023

5.0

Wonderful bedside manner

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November 14, 2023

5.0

He is kind and compassionate, and always gives me options. I received excellent post op care after my last surgery.

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November 11, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard has made me feel complete again. My surgery went smooth, my recovery was minimal and he explained the whole process along the way. Plus he has a great bedside manner.

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November 10, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard is very kind, professional, friendly and extremely knowledgeable! Very impressed with how Dr. Howard approaches Healthcare! Dr. Howard loves his professional work as a physician and he genuinely cares about people! Facing reconstructive breast surgery after having undergone a double mastectomy, I feel that I am in safe hands with Dr. Howard! I’m very grateful!

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November 10, 2023

5.0

Excellent human being and as a doctor he is the best.

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November 07, 2023

5.0

See above. He's easy to converse with, he takes notes and review them at the beginning of each appointment. I love the way he follows up.

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November 06, 2023

5.0

He is a very skilled surgeon with great bedside manner.

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November 06, 2023

5.0

Professional, friendly,compassionate

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November 06, 2023

5.0

He’s awesome!!! He’s an artist! He takes extra time and answers all my questions. I highly recommend him.

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November 06, 2023

5.0

He is great and all the staff is wonderful. Kerrie is great!

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November 04, 2023

5.0

Excellent doctor.

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November 03, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard is friendly and thoroughly reviewed my records. He listened to all questions and responded in detail. I feel very comfortable with him as my surgeon and would recommend him to others.

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October 30, 2023

5.0

He is an artist! He took a lot of time to explain the procedure and I couldn’t be happier with the results!

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October 24, 2023

5.0

Empathy, integrity and professionalism in his work and interactions

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October 23, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard is a very skilled surgeon. He has made me feel better about myself through his knowledge and experience. Great bedside manner too!

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October 21, 2023

5.0

He is kind and helpful. He has helped all 3 of my girls.

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October 20, 2023

5.0

Did a super job on my reconstruction. Caring doctor and kind. Put me at ease when we talked and helped me to make decisions. Gave me time to ask questions and understand.

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October 20, 2023

5.0

Amazing doctor!!!

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October 15, 2023

5.0

He’s awesome!!!

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October 11, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard is knowledgeable and friendly, and he explained everything well.

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October 03, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard is great and I am blessed to in his care.

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October 02, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard was very pleasant and informative to me, he is very straightforward. His staff was great also.

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October 02, 2023

5.0

Great bedside manner. Competent and thorough

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October 01, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard was thorough in his explanation and thoughtful as he answered our questions.

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September 27, 2023

5.0

He does a great job and makes you feel comfortable

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September 20, 2023

5.0

Very nice man and explained everything to me so I would understand

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September 19, 2023

5.0

Very likely, he gave me a very comforting and positive approach as a patient going into the surgery.

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September 18, 2023

5.0

Very personable and knowledgeable.

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September 15, 2023

5.0

He is kind and patient. Great sense of humor too. He put me at ease.

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September 11, 2023

5.0

Friendly, professional and very clearly explained everything for me

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September 11, 2023

5.0

Dr. Howard is an excellent physician

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September 09, 2023

5.0

Very professional explained every aspect of procedure answered all questions

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September 07, 2023

5.0

I have not yet had the surgery but am confident that Dr Howard understands what I’d like done and am also confident that he will do an excellent job.

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September 07, 2023

5.0

He was nice and informative.

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September 07, 2023

5.0

Because of the above, he cares about his patients and their health goals.

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September 06, 2023

5.0

Knowledgeable, friendly, approachable, helpful, great plastic surgeon. I'm so lucky

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September 06, 2023

5.0

I always recommend Dr. Howard. He is the best plastic surgeon. Dr. Howard although extremely busy will take the time and listen to his patients and always suggests well-rounded healthcare for me.

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September 01, 2023

5.0

Great Dr

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September 01, 2023

5.0

The best!

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Disclosures

Industry Relationships

Ownership or Investment Interests

Faculty member had an ownership or investment interest in the following companies

  • EO2 Concepts

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.