A pioneer in the development of reconstructive plastic surgery procedures, Dr. Carl Hartrampf co-founded Atlanta Plastic Surgery in 1968. He was world-renowned for his advancements in surgical procedures using autogenous tissue for breast reconstruction. One important advancement includes his development of the transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous (TRAM) flap for breast reconstruction.
Additionally, Dr. Hartrampf founded the Atlanta Breast Symposium. This conference began as a way for local plastic surgeons to come together to share and teach their techniques. Today it has grown into an international symposium where hundreds of plastic surgeons from around the world participate. After a long and distinguished career, Dr. Hartrampf retired from the practice in 1999. He passed away on June 20, 2019.
His numerous awards included: the American Medical Association Scientific Achievement Award in recognition of outstanding scientific contributions to medicine, which added immeasurably to the quality of life for breast cancer victims; the American Cancer Society Distinguished Service Award for originating the TRAM flap method of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, which continues to give breast cancer patients new hope and a significant increase in quality of life.
A native of Atlanta, Dr. Hartrampf attended the University of Georgia and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. In plastic surgery, he studied with E.E. Peacock in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and James Barrett Brown and Louis T. Byars at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He was Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
After retiring from the practice in 1999, Dr. Hartrampf maintained an active role on the Executive Board of Atlanta Plastic Surgery.