A Career in Burn and Reconstructive Surgery
Edited by: Gina Adams / IPHA Rehab News
Dr. Roger Simpson began his undergraduate education at Syracuse University before pursuing medical school in 1968 at the University of Brussels, Belgium. Studying in French presented a challenge, but the experience provided him with early hands-on medical training, including two years of internship as per the European model. This structured program allowed him to mature professionally before returning to the United States.
Upon his return, Dr. Simpson completed a general surgical residency, where he developed a strong passion for plastic surgery, wound healing, and burn care. He then underwent two years of plastic surgical training with the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, a prestigious group founded by surgeons with experience dating back to World War II. Following this, he pursued a hand surgery fellowship under Dr. Bill Littler in New York City.
In 1981, Dr. Simpson joined the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Program Director for the residency training program in 1989. Before that, he served as Director of the Burn Center, a regional facility in Nassau County that managed approximately 300 admissions annually. Dr. Simpson remained in these leadership roles until stepping down in 2022. He continued private practice until retiring from clinical practice in July 2024.
Contributions to Burn Care and Firefighter Collaboration
Dr. Simpson’s dedication to burn injuries and trauma extended beyond the hospital. He worked closely with Nassau County’s volunteer firefighters, who provided essential support to the burn center, aiding both patients and their families. This partnership facilitated burn prevention programs and ensured that patients received not only medical care but also psychological and material support.
Over his four-decade career, Dr. Simpson witnessed and contributed to significant advancements in burn care. Initially, burn treatment involved conservative management with delayed skin grafting. However, by the late 1970s, early excision techniques gained traction, significantly reducing complications and hospital stays. His expertise in early excision and grafting helped refine these protocols. Today, modern skin substitutes provide pain relief and enhance healing, but hands-on daily evaluation remains crucial.
Innovations in Artificial Skin and Wound Healing
Dr. Simpson differentiates between artificial skin and skin substitutes. Artificial skin would be a shelf-stored product capable of fully replacing both dermis and epidermis. In contrast, skin substitutes optimize the wound-healing environment, promoting epithelialization while maintaining pain relief and hydration. He recalls being deeply influenced by Dr. John Burke’s early research on artificial skin at MIT, which ultimately led to the development of Integra—a pivotal advancement in burn treatment.
Image-R: one year anniversary photo of a child who sustained a 70% flame burn the year prior. The burn team and pediatric intensivists with her and her family to celebrate her amazing recovery.
In addition to burn care, Dr. Simpson expanded his expertise to chronic wound management. The principles of early wound cleansing, proper assessment, and surgical intervention were key in treating non-healing wounds effectively.
Post-Retirement Endeavors
Since retiring, Dr. Simpson has been completing various academic projects, including co-authoring papers with residents. He remains committed to education and mentorship, having led residency training for 35 years. Moving forward, he plans to write a book on hand burns, a complex and often overlooked area of burn care. The dynamic nature of hand function makes burn treatment in this area particularly challenging, requiring precise surgical and rehabilitative approaches.
Research and Imaging in Burn Care
While Dr. Simpson did not focus heavily on clinical trials during his career, he explored innovative techniques in reconstructive burn surgery. One area of growing interest for him is imaging technology in burn assessment. Historically, imaging in burn care was limited, but tools like laser Doppler and ultrasound could provide critical insights. He believes ultrasound could help determine burn depth, track healing, and predict scar outcomes, ultimately guiding treatment decisions more effectively.
For example, assessing dermal preservation in deep second-degree burns could help clinicians decide whether to use skin substitutes or pursue grafting. Additionally, imaging could help evaluate the maturation of post-burn scars, informing therapy and surgical interventions.
Mentorship and the Future of Burn Surgery
Dr. Simpson values mentorship, having guided countless residents and young surgeons throughout his career. He also contributed to leadership training through the American Burn Association, helping new burn surgeons navigate the complexities of running a burn center. His philosophy emphasizes a strong foundation in physical examination and clinical reasoning, principles that remain relevant despite technological advancements.
As he transitions into retirement, Dr. Simpson remains engaged with research and teaching. His lifelong passion for reconstructive surgery, wound healing, and mentorship continues to drive him toward meaningful contributions in the field of burn care.
Dr. Roger Simpson’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing burn treatment, training future surgeons, and improving patient outcomes through innovation and education.
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