Distinguishing Honors (selected): Named as one of America's leading Physicians in the book, "Best Doctors in America." Graduated from Medical School Summa Cum Laude. San Francisco Magazine "Best Doctors." Chairman of Symposium of the Aging Face sponsored by American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Plastic Surgery Education Foundation. Chief of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center. Chairman (three years) teaching courses - American Society of Plastic Surgery. Biographic Profile in "Who's Who in the World," "Who's Who in America," and "Who's Who in Intellectuals." Visiting Fellow to the prestigious South Eastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. For the last 14 years, once a year KGO radio appearances on The Joanie Greggains Show. Visiting Professor, University of British Columbia. Visiting Professor, Federal School of Medicine - Posto Alegre, Brazil. Multiple teaching courses on Facial Rejuvenation & Rhinoplasty to Professional Surgical Societies.

Training

Doctor Brunno Ristow was born in Brusque, Santa Catarina, Brazil. He studied at the College Sinodal and the College Julio de Castilhos in Brazil before entering the prestigious University of Brazil where he obtained his M. D. degree and graduated Summa Cum Laude. He then won the National School of Medicine's coveted University of Brazil Award. This early distinction garnered Dr. Ristow considerable recognition and he soon became one of the earliest residents of Dr. Ivo Pitanguy , the internationally celebrated Brazilan plastic surgeon who revolutionized the art of aesthetic surgery and is today known as a giant of modern plastic surgery.

A family illness necessitated a move to New York City, where Dr. Ristow continued his training, graduating from the General Surgery program at New York Hospital/ Cornell Medical Center, and then from the Institute for Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at New York University, where his teachers were the most celebrated aesthetic surgeons such as Thomas D. Rees, John M. Converse, Cary Guy and others.

Practice

After moving to San Francisco to start his own practice, Dr. Ristow was elected to the position of Chief of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division at The Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center, known today as the California Pacific Medical Center .

Doctor Ristow is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons. Other memberships include the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, California Society of Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, and of the American Medical Association.

Doctor Ristow has authored numerous articles for scientific periodicals and chapters for professional plastic surgery textbooks, including the chapter "Milestones In Facial Rejuvenation and Forehead Lifts" in Reoperative Plastic Surgery (James Grotting, ed.), a classic text now in its second edition. He has had the honor of lecturing frequently to national and international plastic surgery societies and fellowships. Of particular note are his annual courses for the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and his lectures to the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. For four years Dr. Ristow served as Chairman or Co-Chairman of the teaching division of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Personal

Doctor Ristow's love of art includes sculpture, painting and furniture design. He sculpts in clay and has a library of books from the great masters of sculpture, with a particular emphasis on one of his heroes, Auguste Rodin. He plays the piano and is an avid music lover; classical music can often be heard in his office. He is also a fan of jazz and pop. He has been an patron of the San Francisco Opera since his move to the city.

Doctor Ristow has raised four children and lives in San Francisco with his wife of over 30 years, Urannia Ristow. The Christian Children's Fund is also an abiding passion for him. For 30 consecutive years he has sponsored 25-35 children per year, providing food and medical care for those less fortunate.

Doctor Ristow's love for geography and history has taken him to places as far flung as Patagonia, Africa, Europe, Russia, the Far East, and Alaska. He is an animal lover and has a black Labrador.