Q&A with Dr. Cassandra Ligh
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Meet pediatric plastic surgeon Cassandra Ligh, MD, FACS, the new Director of the Pediatric and Adolescent Breast and Chest Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She works with boys and girls with a range of breast disorders such as gynecomastia, macromastia and juvenile hypertrophy, as well as a variety of congenital breast anomalies. Dr. Ligh also specializes in general reconstruction of the face, upper/lower extremities, abdominal wall and chest/breast. She will be part of the team for the Ear Deformity Program, the Facial Motion Disorders Program and the Comprehensive Vascular Anomalies Program.
Q: Why did you come to CHOP?
A. I completed my residency training in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and CHOP, so I intimately understand the high level of care offered here. I was given the opportunity to develop a broad pediatric and adult practice in Colorado, including cleft lip/palate, adult breast reconstruction, general oncologic reconstruction, gender-affirming care and facial/body aesthetic surgery. While I enjoyed my combined adult and pediatric practice, my true love has always been working with children and families. When CHOP invited me to return, I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling lifelong career pathway.
CHOP’s level of care is truly in a league of its own, especially with how carefully and thoughtfully they’ve assembled a team of multidisciplinary experts who focus on addressing a patient’s physical concerns while also approaching each child holistically. I am thrilled to transition as a member of the Pediatric and Adolescent Breast and Chest Program, Ear Deformity Program, Facial Motion Disorders Program and the Comprehensive Vascular Anomalies Program.
I love the complexity and breadth within plastic and reconstructive surgery, and my role at CHOP will be to see the full range of patients and needs. Everything reconstructive — from abdominal wall, facial trauma/facial motion disorders, congenital and acquired ear deformities, chest/breast anomalies to extremities — will be part of my clinical practice here.
Q: Why plastic surgery?
A. I fell in love with the practice and art of plastic surgery because it focuses on the crucial balance between function and form. I can combine the ability to operate all over the body with an aesthetic eye for detail and precision, while most importantly making a truly lasting impact on patients and families.
Q: Tell us about your approach to caring for patients.
A. I have been blessed with rich cultural, job and life experiences, which have very much influenced the way I practice medicine. The most rewarding part of being a physician is having the privilege to take care of patients like I would my own family. I’ve had many personal experiences with family and friends going through end-of-life choices, difficult cancer diagnoses, congenital deformities and chronic diseases, and I deeply admired those physicians who took the time to not only treat their diagnosis but truly care for the individual as a human being. Each patient’s experience is complex and multifactorial, and my role is to be a healthcare advocate — to listen, educate and guide patients and families to a decision that is the best for them.
Q: What motivates you in your work?
A. What “grounds” me in my work is I truly believe the relationship between a surgeon and a patient/family is incredibly intimate. It is a privilege with deep responsibility to help patients and their families through such sensitive times in their lives. Strong emotions and vulnerabilities are often tightly woven into caring for patients, and I love and embrace that my role is to help educate and transition patients with their families through what is often a stressful experience. I can’t think of anything more rewarding.
Q: How do you find work/life balance?
A. I truly believe that life balance is an essential part of being able to be an excellent healthcare provider for my patients. I live with my wonderful husband and two sons in Philadelphia. On the days that I am not seeing patients, you can find us outdoors hiking, trail running, biking, reading in a hammock, playing with toy cars, picnicking, gardening and soaking up as much sunshine as possible. I absolutely love to cook, eat and travel — I’ve taken a cooking class in nearly every country I’ve visited!