Dr. William Leighton, a native of Michigan, is an examiner for and board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Leighton specializes in burn reconstruction and aesthetic plastic surgery. He is also an expert in breast reconstruction,
treating all types of deformities of women going through breast cancer treatment.
Dr. Leighton graduated Cum Laude from the University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1974, and from the University of Illinois College
of Medicine in 1978. He then went on to five years of General Surgery Residency through the Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency
Program earning both the Outstanding Intern Award in 1979 and the Outstanding Surgical Resident Award in 1983. His two years of plastic
surgery training was at the Phoenix Plastic Surgery Residency Program. He then obtained the prestigious position of Microsurgery Fellow
at the Southern Illinois University of School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois.
Over the years, Dr. Leighton has become world renowned for his expertise in soft tissue expansion with multiple
scientific papers, a book chapter, national and international scientific presentations, and instructional courses
for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation. He holds academic faculty positions
at the Mayo Medical School, the Arizona Mayo Clinic, and the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He has been
recognized as one of the "Teachers of the Year" at the University of Arizona School of Medicine twice, and as a Phoenix Magazine
"Top Doc" nine times. He is listed in America's Top Surgeons, the Consumer's Guide to Top Doctors, Top 101 Doctors in Scottsdale, and America's Top Rated Physicians.
Dr. Leighton has been featured on numerous national and local television programs. He is well known in the Valley as the Plastic Surgeon who is reconstructing Jason Schechterle,
the Phoenix Police Officer who was near fatally burned when his stopped police cruiser was struck from behind by a cab traveling 115 miles an hour,
causing his gas tank to explode. After having spent countless years working with burn patients, Dr. Leighton's compassionate approach to the practice of medicine,
his meticulous technique, and empathetic regard for his patients in collaboration with Scottsdale Healthcare Shea, he is able to offer a world class safe and trusting
environment during his patients' most difficult time.
In addition to running his clinical practice, The Leighton Institute for Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Dr. Leighton enjoys spending time with his two boys; one an
attorney, the other a third-year law student at Pepperdine University. He also loves playing golf with his sons and Officer Schechterle and traveling the globe operating on cleft
lip and palate and burn patients with Sustainable Outreach Solutions as Medical Director and Medical Hands for Healing. He is a member of the Phoenix 100 Club supporting fallen
police officers' and firefighters' families in their greatest time of need with financial support and educational scholarships for their children. He is a major sponsor for the Foundation
for Burns and Trauma/Camp Courage Children's Burn Camp. Patients have traveled halfway around the world to have Dr. Leighton reconstruct their severe burn deformities.
William D. Leighton, MD
is pleased to be a part of this fantastic event and we are thrilled that he will have the honor of flipping the switch to turn on Pink Honor Lights at the VIP Lighting Ceremony
on the evening of October 7th!
For more information about Dr. Leighton and The Leighton Institute for Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery,
CLICK HERE.
