DEMOPOLIS &8212; Dr. Maureen Muecke is a woman of many passions and talents. Combining her medical training and a love of helping others, she has become one of the premier cutting-edge ENT specialists in the area.

Dr, Muecke currently has a private practice in Birmingham where she specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Recently, however, she has been making monthly trips to Demopolis to add her expertise to the staff of the Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital.

Beginning on June 15, Dr. Meucke will make her trek from Birmingham to Demopolis a permanent arrangement. She plans to come in on Fridays once or twice a month and assist with patients who have special facial reconstructive needs.

Dr. Muecke is not merely a facial plastics surgeon. She is also board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery to perform procedures ranging from acne treatments and scar revision to lip augmentation and mole removal. She is also the only licensed doctor in North and Central Alabama to perform laser liposuction, which is a procedure that has no incision associated with it and very reduced recovery time.

When asked what her favorite part of her job is, she focused on several surgeries that always seem to produce satisfied patients. Patients who undergo nasal reconstructive surgery came to mind first.

She also talked about rhinoplasty, which is &8220;more like sculpting than surgery.&8221; She discussed that every patient&8217;s facial and bone structure and skin type are different, therefore she finds herself having to concentrate most on this procedure.

One thing that she does not like about her job is, predictably, keeping up with the paperwork associated with surgery. &8220;It&8217;s tedious and time consuming,&8221; she said.

Dr. Muecke says that she encounters a lot of patients who claim they &8220;look older than they feel.&8221; It&8217;s her job to get the patient&8217;s outsides to match their insides. Also, she feels that her work can often boost a patient&8217;s self-esteem.

She recalls one patient who had saved up money since graduating from college to have a procedure known as otoplasty done. Otoplasty is a procedure that minimizes the look of prominent ears. Dr. Muecke said that when she first saw her patient, he wore his hair long. After the surgery, he had cut his hair short and was engaged within six months.

Her physical journey has been as interesting as her medical journey. She is originally from Wisconsin and has worked in hospitals and trauma centers in Madison,Wis., New Orleans, La., and Columbus, Mo. before moving permanently to Alabama.

Dr. Muecke&8217;s philosophy in life and in medicine is simple; she aims to help others with her skills.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Muecke&8217;s services, please visit her website at www.birminghamfacialplastics.com or call 1-877-686-FACE (3223).