Dr David Powers 


Dr. David Powers currently is a Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery; Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery at Duke University Medical Center.  He holds secondary appointments as a Professor of Surgery in the Departments of Neurosurgery and Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences.  Dr. Powers serves as Director of the Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Program, and Fellowship Director for the Craniomaxillofacial Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship.  He attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate and dental degrees, the University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio for his medical degree and completed his General Surgery internship and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.  

His surgical experience in facial trauma was attained during a 21-year military career highlighted by the acute management of ballistic and other injuries of warfare, as well as performing secondary and tertiary facial reconstructive surgery during various staff assignments at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, the National Naval Medical Center – Bethesda and the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland.  He lectures and has published extensively on the management of ballistic and high-energy transfer injuries to the craniomaxillofacial skeleton, comprehensive reconstruction techniques for facial trauma, and the use of computer-aided surgical planning and patient-specific implants for anatomic rehabilitation after catastrophic craniomaxillofacial injuries.