Spotlight On Milton Armstrong MD

Dr. Armstrong in clinic

Milton Armstrong, M.D. joined MUSC in 2009 as Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Armstrong is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and earned a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hand Surgery.

An accomplished clinician, leader and educator, Dr. Armstrong was appointed Director to the American Board of Plastic Surgery in 2020. He also holds national positions including Senior Director at Large for the American Association for Surgery of the Hand and Oral Examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Prior to joining MUSC, Dr. Armstrong’s first faculty position was at Ohio State University, College of Medicine in the Division of Plastic Surgery. In addition to his clinical practice, he served the University as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Associate Dean for Minority Affairs. 

He then moved to the University of Miami Health System, where he was Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at the Veteran’s Hospital.  During his tenure at Miami, he started a microsurgery and a hand surgery fellowship.  At both of these academic medical centers, he was the only Black surgeon. He notes of all places he has worked or trained, MUSC has the most racial diversity.

An educator at heart, Dr. Armstrong is deeply committed to providing strong leadership and guidance to the residents in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training programs at MUSC. Under his leadership, the plastic and reconstructive surgery residents have a 100% board pass rate. 

Throughout his career, he has trained more than 100 surgeons. He keeps in touch with many of his graduates and is gratified to see they are successful, caring clinicians and advocates for diversity and inclusion. 

Dr. Armstrong was the first surgeon highlighted in the Arthur L. Garnes Society’s “Surgeon Spotlight.

The Society is named after Arthur Garnes, M.D., the first board-certified Black plastic surgeon.  It is committed to fostering mentorship, collaboration, and fellowship among Black, African-American, and other under-represented minorities in Plastic Surgery.