Venkat K Rao, MD, MBA
Professor
- Division of Plastic Surgery
rao@surgery.wisc.edu
(608) 263-1223
600 Highland Avenue
Box 3236, Clinical Science Center
Madison, WI 53792
Education
- MD, University of Madras, India
- Master of Surgery, University of Madras, India
- Internship and Residency in General Surgery, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
- Residency in Plastic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center, Bronx, NY
- Research Fellow, Microsurgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Fellow, Hand Surgery, University of Kentucky, Louisville, KY
- MBA, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Honors
Best Doctors in America Award Surgery, Hand/Microsurgery & Plastic & Reconstructive
Madison Magazine Top Docs 2012 Award Surgery, Hand/Microsurgery, Plastic & Reconstructive
Clinical Specialties
Dr. Rao is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He specializes in breast surgery, cosmetic surgery, hand and microsurgery. Dr. Rao provides a wide range of services at UW Hospital, Transformations and Meriter Hospital which include breast reconstruction, breast reduction, breast augmentation, body contouring, liposuction, hand injuries and carpal tunnel surgery.
Dr. Rao provides a wide range of services including Arthritic Reconstructions, Brachial Plexus Surgery, Breast Reconstruction, Brow Lift, Carpal Tunnel Release, Digital Replantation, Extended Efforts in Limb Salvage, Hand Arthroplasty, Lower Eyelid Tuck, Microvascular Reconstruction, Nerve Repair, Rhinoplasty, Tendon Repairs, Upper Eyelid Tuck.
Research Interests
Dr. Rao’s current research interests include breast reconstruction and outcomes in cosmetic surgery.
Recent Publications
Financing a Private Practice: A Practical Framework for Plastic Surgeons.
Mosca N, Zeitouni F, Tierney M, Via EC, Wirth PJ, Attaluri PK, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2026 Sep; 14(9): e8038
[PubMed ID: 42698616]Marketing a Plastic Surgery Practice: Strategies, Insights, and Practical Considerations.
Khosla AS, Zeitouni F, Laning EK, Tierney M, Attaluri PK, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2026 Sep; 14(9): e8037
[PubMed ID: 42698929]From Residency to Retirement: An Overview of Personal Finance for Plastic Surgery Trainees.
Zeitouni F, Quach MP, Tierney M, Craig JN, Attaluri PK, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2026 Sep; 14(9): e8039
[PubMed ID: 42698638]Reconsidering Percentile Reporting in Plastic Surgery In-service Examinations: Insights From the Faculty Perspective.
Craig JN, Zeitouni F, Tierney M, Gast K, Rao VK
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2026 Aug; 14(8): e8006
[PubMed ID: 42559584]Artificial Intelligence Scribes in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Narrative Review.
Adan FO, Agoro KS, Rao V, Cunningham BP, Rao AJ
J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2026 Aug 01; 10(8)
[PubMed ID: 42627719]