Dr. John W. Polley, MD
Beginning in August, 2024, Dr. John W. Polley will be joining Gallatin Valley Surgical Arts in Bozeman, Montana.
Dr. Polley is an internationally renowned board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He brings to the practice his extensive experience in cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery for both children and adults. Particular areas of special interest include cosmetic surgery, individuals born with cleft lip, palate and other congenital or acquired facial problems, reconstruction following trauma and craniomaxillofacial surgery.
Dr. John Polley is a graduate of Northwestern University in Illinois, where he earned both his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine degrees. While at Northwestern he was a Phi Beta Kappa member and a Marcy Scholar recipient. He completed both his general surgery and plastic surgery residencies at Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI. He also spent time training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, TX. Following his residencies, Dr. Polley enhanced his plastic surgery training by completing three fellowships; 2 in craniomaxillofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan. His third fellowship was in cosmetic surgery at the Institute for Aesthetics and Reconstructive Surgery in Nashville, TN.
Dr. Polley spent two and a half decades practicing plastic surgery in Chicago. Ten years at the University of Illinois at Chicago as the Director of Craniofacial Surgery, followed by 15 years as Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. During that time, he also was an attending plastic surgeon at Cook County Hospital and the Westside VA in Chicago. In 2014, Dr. Polley moved his practice to Michigan in 2014 where he practiced at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI.
Dr. Polley has been extensively involved in research and teaching throughout his career. He has invented numerous medical devices and holds several US patents on medically related items. He has published over 134 peer review articles in scientific journals. Dr. Polley has lectured and operated throughout the world and has volunteered on over a dozen surgical mission trips, mostly in Central America. Throughout his career, Dr. Polley’s commitment has been to achieve the best possible care and results for his patients by individualizing their treatment plan, whether their problems are major or minor. His commitment has resulted in him receiving numerous accolades and awards including:
- “Top Doctor” in Chicago Magazine for over the past decade
- “America’s Top Doctor” by Castle Connolly Press Ltd.
- The National Patient Communication Award
- The Outstanding Teacher Award by the Osler Institute
- 5 year recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Award from Spectrum Health Dept of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Polley has also been a member of the following professional organizations:
- American Association of Plastic Surgeons
- American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
- American Society of Craniofacial Surgeons
- American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Association of Academic Chairmen of Plastic Surgery
- Chicago Committee on Trauma
- Chicago Medical Society
- Chicago Society of Plastic Surgery
- International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons
- Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons
- Michigan Association of Plastic Surgeons
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation
- Plastic Surgery Research Council
- Foundation for Nager and Miller Syndrome
- American Academy of Pediatrics
Dr. Polley is the father of two grown children and grandfather to four toddlers. He and his wife, Kim share an avid love of organic farming, fly fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Dr. Polley is excited to be splitting his time in Montana and Michigan, and promises to continue to deliver his very best care to all of his patients.