Plastic Surgery: Art-Fused Medicine
Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a unique blending of both science and art. Successful plastic surgery requires the skills of a surgeon and the vision of an artist. Plastic surgeons are taught how to use measured aesthetic standards. Methods and a solid foundation are important, but sometimes these standards will not produce the optimal appearance for a patient.Â
A reliable aesthetic sense  is important for each plastic surgeon, as each patient presents with unique concerns and challenges.  Every surgeon’s training should be complimented by an understanding of balance and beauty, which is a quality difficult to teach.
Dr. McDaniel was “drawn” to both the arts and the sciences from an early age, taking classes in both art and structural design. He began studying the works and theories of famous photographers and architects, such as Ansel Adams and Frank Lloyd Wright, while in college and medical school. The landscapes of Montana are his favorite subjects, and his photography shows a deep understanding of what makes something truly beautiful.
During uncommon breaks in his surgical training, Dr. McDaniel practiced woodworking, learning of the intricacies of wood and how to bring out its natural beauty. There are important corollaries between working with wood and performing plastic surgery. No two pieces of wood are alike, even pieces from the same tree, and each presents individual challenges and possibilities. The task of the woodworker is to assess its inherent strengths and weaknesses, and to bring out the unique beauty that can only be found in that particular piece.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery combines the beauty of our physical form with the medical knowledge of our body’s functions. The responsibility of the plastic surgeon is optimization of both form and function, infusing art into medicine. Dr. McDaniel pursues excellence in both the quality of his medical care and the craftmanship of his work. His dedication to his patients is evident in all he does, as he melds the skills of a highly trained surgeon with the vision of an artist.
Dr. McDaniel is the vice president of Bozeman’s own chapter of the American Association of Woodturning, the Northern Rockies Woodworking Guild. A sampling of his work can be seen below.Â
Woodworking Photos
Photography
