Rick L. Paulson, MD, FACS

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American Board of Plastic Surgery
• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

LocateADoc Q&A

Describe the most rewarding experience that you have had working with a patient?

When I hear this question I think of two special occasions. The first would be the management of our young cleft patients. Each and every time that I am able to go in and repair a cleft on a young baby and bring them out to their parents showing them that the defect has been closed it is still a very emotional experience and almost brings a tear to one's eye. This is without doubt the most rewarding procedure I perform. The biggest reward that we receive from our patients is their loyalty and friendship. We always strive to try to achieve the goals that the patients desire, when possible. This is frequently rewarded by our patients who return with their loyalty and continued referral of friends and family to our office. Likewise, it also is very rewarding when a referring physician, after seeing the results that his patients have achieved, sends his own friends and family to our office for management of similar problems.

What is your charity organization of choice and why?

I personally am a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Having been a Shriner for a number of years, I am very dedicated to their baseline charitable cause being that of operating the Shrine Hospitals. Approximately 20 Shrine Hospitals exist in the United States and deal mainly with pediatric issues, anything varying from orthopaedic to burns to occasional cleft lip and palate patients. A good majority of the pediatric orthopaedic research and training of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons takes place through the Shrine Hospitals. I feel very dedicated to their cause and very proud I am able to contribute.

What does living in the Bismarck community mean to you?

Having been born and raised in North Dakota, the only time I have lived out of the state has been that which has been required of me for my training in order to achieve my expertise in plastic surgery. After my training I had no hesitation in moving back to North Dakota. The only decision I had to make was which community would I best be able to serve my fellow citizens of this state. Bismarck is such a community. It is the closest larger town that is geographically centered in our state. This allows ease of our patients to be able to come to see us at either our Bismarck office or one of our two current satellite offices, that being Minot and Fargo. I also like the fact that Bismarck is neither too large nor too small of a community and fits just right for my family and I.

What makes your specialties the right fields of medicine for you?

Every day in plastic surgery there is a new challenge and a new presentation of a problem that has not ever occurred previously. This always keeps one's mind sharp and active and stimulates his ability to help patients realize their goals.

What Sets Us Apart

We strive to provide the highest quality care in a female- friendly environment.

Education

Dr. Rick Paulson entered the University of North Dakota in 1981 for his undergraduate work. In 1984, he was granted admission into the University of North Dakota School of Medicine without an undergraduate degree. After earning his medical degree in 1988, Dr. Paulson completed residencies at the University of Kansas, where he was a junior and senior resident of general surgery for two years each and a chief resident of general surgery for one year. He then went on to the University of Missouri in 1994, where he was a junior resident in plastic surgery for one year and a chief resident and clinical instructor for one year.

During this time, Dr. Paulson was also an active member of the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps. In 1990, he began his service as an officer at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas during Desert Storm. He would go on to become a captain in 1990 and a major in 1997. He is currently a Lt. Col. in the Nebraska Army Reserve.

Other Affiliations

Dr. Paulson is an active member of numerous associations, including the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc., American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc., American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, American Military Medical Society of the United States, and the University of North Dakota School of Medicine Alumni Association. In addition, he is currently a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.