Robert P. Hillstrom,
MD, FACS

MEDICAL DIRECTOR | CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER BOARD-CERTIFIED FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON

A highly intelligent and well educated, double-board certified physician and surgeon with 36 years of medical staff and hospital board experience at three local hospitals.  Founder (2002) and owner of Hillstrom Facial Plastic Surgery.  Co-founder and Board member of the Network of Florida Otolaryngologists (1997 to 2025).  Co-founder and owner of Manatee Surgery Center.  Past president of Florida Society of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1998/1999).  Elected Chief of the Medical Staff at Blake Medical Center (1998-2001) and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (2004-2006).  Board Chairman, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (2013-2026).  Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Designated Institutional Official (DIO), Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (2023-present).

Board Certifications

Board Certified, American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Board Certified, American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

We're Dedicated to Healing, Relaxation, and Beauty

Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

  • Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (August 2025 to present)

Designated Institutional Official (DIO)

  • Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (May 21st, 2024 to present)
  • Responsible for the oversight and implementation of three (3) new GME Residency programs; Internal Medicine (IM), Emergency Medicine (EM),and Family Medicine (FM) with anticipated start date of July, 2027.

Medical Director of Quality and Medical Staff Services

  • Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (April 2023 to August 2025)
  • 120 bed acute care hospital with complete range of medical and surgical services.
  • Responsible for the organization, management and oversight of a medical staff of over 800 physicians with particular focus on hospital quality metrics such as hospital length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, re-admission to the hospital, hospital infection rate, Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI), etc.
  • Assisted Tidewell Hospice/Empath in the integration of “end of life care” and comfort care in to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
  • Established a comprehensive Palliative Care program in partnership with Empath/Tidewell Hospice.

Network of Florida Otolaryngologists (NFO)

  • Formed in 1997 to organize Florida otolaryngologists to address the egregious over-reach of health insurance carriers, unsustainable increases in malpractice premiums and lack of representation in the Florida legislature.
  • 1,105 members (2023).
  • Partnered with FPIC/MedPro to create a statewide “risk pool” of Florida otolaryngologists to lower malpractice premiums over 30%.
  • Hired lobbyist and law firm to represent Florida otolaryngologists against insurance carriers and within the Florida legislature.
  • Created a robust CME program that is free to all members.
  • Took control of a failing annual meeting and created a profitable, 3 day annual statewide meeting with national and international speakers.

Manatee Surgery Center

  • Founded in 1999 as a physician owned, free-standing multidisciplinary ambulatory surgery center.
  • 11,000 square foot facility with 4 operating suites and 4 procedure rooms.  60 employees and 54 surgeons.  Average annual gross revenue of 28 million.

Hillstrom Facial Plastic Surgery, PA

  • Founder and owner (2002-2022).
  • Grew business from 2 employees, 1 physician and less than 1 million annual gross revenue (2002) to 12 employees, 3 physicians and over 4 million annual gross revenue.
  • Sold in 2022.

Real Estate Ventures

  • Grateful Deed, LLC  (Telluride, CO)
  • Terrapin Station, LLC  (Bradenton, FL)
  • Stella Blue, LLC  (Bradenton, FL)  

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS/BOARD EXPERIENCE

  • Gulf Coast Board Institute (February and March, 2023)
  • Board Member, Tidewell Hospice/Empath Health (January 2022-present)
  • Chairman, Board of Trustees, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (June 2013-2026)
  • Founding Board Member, Network of Florida Otolaryngologists (1997-2022)
  • Board Member, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (2004-present)
  • Board Member, HOPE Family Services (2007-2013)
  • Chief of the Medical Staff, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center (2004-2006)
  • Chief of the Medical Staff, Blake Medical Center (1998-2001)
  • Board Member, Blake Medical Center (1998-2001)
  • Board Member, Manatee Memorial Hospital (1996-2000)
  •  President, Florida Society of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1998/1999)
  • Medical Director, Ideal Image of Sarasota (2014-2026)
  • Medical Director, Bliss Aesthetic MedSpa (2019-2022) 
  • Medical Director, Facial Plastic Surgery Center (1990-2002)
  • Medical Director and President/CEO Hillstrom Facial Plastic Surgery (2002-2022)
  • Medical Editor, Health and Leisure Magazine (1995-1998)

EDUCATION

High School

Crystal Lake Community High School, Crystal Lake, IL August, 1972 – June, 1976

Undergraduate

University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN B.S. August 1976 – June 1980

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

  • Best Doctors in America (1995-2024). Nineteen consecutive awards (retirement)
  • “Top Doctors”/Castle Connelly (2012-2024). Twelve consecutive awards (retirement)
  • Best Cosmetic Surgery Center, Florida Monthly Magazine (September 2003)
  • Golden Quill Award, Manatee Memorial Hospital (November 1991)
  • John Orlando Roe Award, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (September 1991)

POST GRADUATE TRAINING

Medical School

Loyola University of Chicago/Stritch School of Medicine M.D. August 1980 – June 1984

Internship

Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center Department of Surgery, Detroit, MI July 1984 – June 1985

Residency

Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Detroit, MI July 1985 – June 1989

Fellowship

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Facial Plastic Surgery Center, Vero Beach, FL July 1989 – June, 1990

POST GRADUATE TRAINING

Thirteen published articles in major, peer reviewed medical journals, including textbook chapter, (“Reconstruction of the Nose and Midface”) as well as over 1000 presentations given to local, state and national audiences over 32 year professional career (titles and references available upon request).

PERSONAL

Born:

August 8, 1958

Children:

Patrick James Hillstrom (1988) Sara Anne Hillstrom (1992)

Interests:

Skiing, Golf, Music, Travel, Photography, Hiking

Achievements:

Summited Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet) August 10, 2018

REFERENCES

Kevin DiLallo (561) 202-7084

Group Vice-President, UHS Florida Region
Former CEO of Manatee Memorial Hospital and Health Care Systems

Andy Guz (941) 782-2400

CEO, Manatee Memorial Hospital

Jonathan Fleece (941) 552-7525

CEO, Tidewell Hospice/Empath Health

Daniel Deems, MD, PhD (941) 685-0382

Friend and professional colleague

Byron Shinn (941) 705-5579

Friend, personal and business accountant, business consultant