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Nicole Kurnik, MD, is a craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgeon in the Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Dr. Kurnik’s expertise is the surgical treatment of a wide variety of craniofacial conditions. She performs plastic surgery for cleft lip, cleft palate, craniosynostosis, hemifacial macrosomia, Pierre Robin syndrome, microtia, and facial paralysis. She also specializes in treating fibrous dysplasia, adult and pediatric traumatic deformities, neurofibromatosis, congenital breast and chest wall malformations, and vascular malformations.
Dr. Kurnik earned her medical degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine. She attended general surgery residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and completed her plastic surgery residency at Mayo Clinic, both in Phoenix. She also completed a craniofacial fellowship at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital in Seattle.
Dr. Kurnik’s research interests include craniofacial deformities, cleft lip and palate, facial reanimation, global surgery, and surgical education.
- Fellowship, University of Washington, Craniofacial Surgery
- Residency, Mayo Clinic, Plastic Surgery
- Residency, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, General Surgery
- MD, University of Nevada, School of Medicine
- BS, University of Nevada-Reno, Biology
- Scholarship Award, Mayo International Health Program, 2018
- Recognition for Excellence in Teamwork, Mayo Clinic, 2018
- Second Place, Best Oral Research Presentation, Mayo Clinic Academic Excellence Day, 2017
- Finalist, Plastic Surgery Jeopardy, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2017
- First Place, Best Oral Research Presentation, University of Arizona Academic Excellence Day, 2014
- First Place, Best Oral Research Presentation, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Academic Excellence Day, 2014
- First Place, Best Oral Research Presentation, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Academic Excellence Day, 2013
- Dean’s List, University of Nevada-Reno, 2004-2007
- Durward A. Huckabay Scholarship, University of Nevada-School of Medicine, 2009-2011
- Nevada Millennium Scholarship, University of Nevada-Reno, 2003-2007
- Dean’s List, University of San Diego, 2003
- Honors College Academic Scholarship, University of San Diego, 2003
- Honors College, University of San Diego, 2003
- Silver State Scholar, University of Nevada-Reno, 2003
- English

Nicole Kurnik, MD, is a craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgeon in the Cleft and Craniofacial Center at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Dr. Kurnik’s expertise is the surgical treatment of a wide variety of craniofacial conditions. She performs plastic surgery for cleft lip, cleft palate, craniosynostosis, hemifacial macrosomia, Pierre Robin syndrome, microtia, and facial paralysis. She also specializes in treating fibrous dysplasia, adult and pediatric traumatic deformities, neurofibromatosis, congenital breast and chest wall malformations, and vascular malformations.
Dr. Kurnik earned her medical degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine. She attended general surgery residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and completed her plastic surgery residency at Mayo Clinic, both in Phoenix. She also completed a craniofacial fellowship at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital in Seattle.
Dr. Kurnik’s research interests include craniofacial deformities, cleft lip and palate, facial reanimation, global surgery, and surgical education.
- Fellowship, University of Washington, Craniofacial Surgery
- Residency, Mayo Clinic, Plastic Surgery
- Residency, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, General Surgery
- MD, University of Nevada, School of Medicine
- BS, University of Nevada-Reno, Biology
- Scholarship Award, Mayo International Health Program, 2018
- Recognition for Excellence in Teamwork, Mayo Clinic, 2018
- Second Place, Best Oral Research Presentation, Mayo Clinic Academic Excellence Day, 2017
- Finalist, Plastic Surgery Jeopardy, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2017
- First Place, Best Oral Research Presentation, University of Arizona Academic Excellence Day, 2014
- First Place, Best Oral Research Presentation, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Academic Excellence Day, 2014
- First Place, Best Oral Research Presentation, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Academic Excellence Day, 2013
- Dean’s List, University of Nevada-Reno, 2004-2007
- Durward A. Huckabay Scholarship, University of Nevada-School of Medicine, 2009-2011
- Nevada Millennium Scholarship, University of Nevada-Reno, 2003-2007
- Dean’s List, University of San Diego, 2003
- Honors College Academic Scholarship, University of San Diego, 2003
- Honors College, University of San Diego, 2003
- Silver State Scholar, University of Nevada-Reno, 2003
- English