Johanna N. Riesel

MD, FACS, MHPE

Assistant Professor
Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Temerty Faculty of Medicine
University of Toronto

Bio

Dr. Riesel completed her plastic and reconstructive surgical training at Harvard University before completing a pediatric craniofacial fellowship at SickKids.

During her time at Harvard, she was a primary author and researcher on the landmark publication, the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. Her clinical interests are in cleft and craniofacial surgery, facial reanimation, general paediatric reconstruction, surgical education, and global surgery. She also obtained a Masters in Medical Health Professions Education through Maastricht and New York University to further her interest in optimizing surgeon performance by studying surgeon fear in the operating room. Additionally, Dr. Riesel is proud to serve as the Director of the Wellness Program for the University of Toronto Plastic Surgery Residents and sits as a member of the Residency Program Committee.

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Research
Interests

Emotional regulation in the operating room
Improving access to high-quality surgical care in limited resource settings
Outcomes in pediatric craniofacial surgery

Recent Relevant
Publications

Surgeon Fear in the Operating Room and Its Link to Identity: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study.

Riesel JN, Hammond M, Moulton CA. Ann Surg. 2026 Jun 1;283(6):972-978.

Facing Fear in the Operating Room: A Qualitative Investigation Into the Causes of and Management Strategies for Surgeon Fear in the Operating Room.

Riesel JN, Hammond M, Moulton CA.Ann Surg Open. 2026 May 15;7(2):e678

Enhancing fetal spina bifida repair: do paraspinal myofascial flaps and acellular dermal patches improve postnatal outcomes? A retrospective cohort review.

Kunpalin Y, Larsen I, Quon JL, Ryan G, Wong Riff K, Kulkarni AV, Riesel JN, van Mieghem T.J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2026 Apr 17;38(1):30-36.

The Caregiver Burden of Helmet Therapy following Endoscopic Strip Craniectomy: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study.

Ebeye T, Hussain A, Brennan E, Kulkarni AV, Forrest CR, Riesel JN. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2024;59(4):121-129.

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