Dr. “D” received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University in Biology and Art Humanities, and received his M.D. degree with Thesis Honors in Skin Aging Research from the University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. He trained in Head and Neck Surgery at New England Medical Center, Lahey Clinic, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston University Hospital, and Boston VA Medical Center.

He completed his training in Facial Plastic Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle, under the tutelage of three of the foremost authorities in the field. Dr. Der Sarkissian has conducted significant research in the area of Skin Aging, Skin Cancer, and many aspects of Facial Reconstruction at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York University School of Medicine, National Institute of Health in Bethesda, and the University of Washington in Seattle.

He has lectured extensively on various topics in Facial Plastic Surgery locally, nationally at NYU, UCLA, USC, University of Miami, University of Texas, and Duke University, and as far as Canada, Vietnam, Greece and Ecuador. He has written numerous journal articles and book chapters on his clinical and research interests.

Dr. Der Sarkissian is regularly involved in pro bono endeavors domestically and internationally. He provides reconstructive surgery for victims of domestic violence and has traveled to Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, Armenia, and Ukraine to perform procedures to correct birth defects or deformities caused by trauma on the underprivileged.