Biography
Ian Chow, MD is a board-eligible plastic and reconstructive surgeon, fellowship-trained in hand and upper extremity surgery. His areas of specialization include management of all conditions of the hand, wrist, and forearm, with special emphasis on microvascular upper and lower extremity reconstruction and limb salvage.
Through his training, Dr. Chow has had extensive experience with upper and lower extremity nerve reconstruction, including the management and reconstruction of the brachial plexus, other peripheral nerve injuries throughout the body, and the management of neuropathic pain following amputation. He is proud to offer a variety of procedures under WALANT (wide-awake local anesthetic with no tourniquet) to maximize patient comfort and return to function while minimizing the risk of general anesthesia.
His practice philosophy is to work with the patient in developing a treatment plan that is best suited to their goals and desires while providing care in a safe, ethical, and evidence-focused fashion.
Dr. Chow received his undergraduate degree in economics from Northwestern University, graduating cum laude, then matriculating to Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine for his medical degree as a member of the Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME). He completed a research year while in medical school, performing basic science research under an Armed Forces in Regenerative Medicine (AFIRM) grant studying tissue engineering while also performing clinical outcomes research. After Dr. Chow graduated from medical school (summa cum laude with an additional honor in research, magna cum laude in scientia experimental), he went on to complete his plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
He completed his hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery fellowship at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, North Carolina, under the direction of Dr. R. Glenn Gaston, a former graduate of the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center's fellowship program. During his fellowship, Dr. Chow was awarded the Daniel Lewis Blue Collar Award in recognition of being the hardest-working fellow of his fellowship class, and he looks forward to working tirelessly for his patients to help them achieve the best possible outcomes possible.
Dr. Chow is an avid researcher with over 27 peer-reviewed publications and 50 presentations on the local, regional, and national stages. He has received numerous awards for his research work and has written multiple book chapters, including work on the management of wrist arthritis and the ideal treatment algorithms for patients undergoing trans-radial amputation.
Dr. Chow is passionate about education and is excited to be joining as faculty of IHTSC's training program for specialization in hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery. He recently traveled to Madrid, Spain, to work with Dr. Paco Piñal, a world-renowned expert in thumb reconstruction, to learn more about free tissue transplantation.
Dr. Chow is excited to move back to the Midwest after completion of his post-graduate medical training, and he is excited to make Indiana his home. Outside of work, Dr. Chow enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, and wine. A self-avowed nerd, he also enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction.
More About Dr. Chow
When did you know you were going to be a healthcare provider?
I knew I wanted to be a physician since I was ten years old. I lived with my elderly grandparents, and I went with them to doctor’s appointments to help translate and provide information to both of my working parents.
My grandparents often had a difficult time understanding their medical problems and how medications were going to treat those problems. Seeing their quality of life gradually decline as I grew up motivated me to pursue a career in healthcare.
Hand surgery was a perfect fit for me as a specialty because it gives me the opportunity to diagnose and work with patients to understand their diagnosis while pursuing treatments that improve their quality of life and help them get back to activities that are important to them.
How would you describe your approach to patient care?
My approach is always patient-centric. I believe that every problem doesn't need to be managed operatively—or at all.
My goal is to give every patient an accurate diagnosis, discuss potential treatment options, and answer questions to help them decide which treatment plan will best fit their lifestyle and goals. The most important thing to me is that patients walk away satisfied. I want every patient to understand the cause of their upper extremity condition and feel empowered. After all, they are the most important member of their care team.
What do you want patients to know about you, your medical career, or your specialty?
Patients don't often realize that nearly 20% of all hand surgeons did their residency training in plastic surgery and that some of the earliest innovators in hand surgery were plastic surgeons. Precise management of incisions, respect for soft tissues, and microsurgical techniques are some of the cornerstones of plastic surgery education, all of which are essential in hand surgery.
I believe that my training as a plastic surgeon both enhances and complements my training as a hand surgeon and only helps to serve my patients.
Education
Undergrad
Northwestern University
Medical School
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Residency
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Fellowship
OrthoCarolina: Hand, Upper Extremity & Microvascular Surgery