Cancer reconstruction
Breast reconstruction following cancer treatment, skin cancer and Mohs reconstruction, and complex oncologic reconstruction.
Explore breast reconstruction ↗MEET YOUR SURGEON
James D. Kotick, MD, MBA
Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Founder and principal surgeon of Envision in Sarasota, with experience spanning aesthetic surgery, cancer reconstruction, microsurgery, and surgical education.
SURGEON. EDUCATOR. PRACTICE FOUNDER.
Advanced surgical care.
A personal connection.
Dr. James D. Kotick is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the founder of Envision Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Sarasota. His practice spans complex reconstruction after cancer and injury, microsurgery, hand surgery, and aesthetic surgery.
He founded Envision in 2023 and leads its clinical strategy, surgical quality, and multidisciplinary care. His background includes general surgery residency at Orlando Health followed by a fellowship in plastic, reconstructive, and hand surgery at Lahey Clinic. An MBA in healthcare administration and entrepreneurship complements his responsibility for practice operations and surgical quality.
BOARD CERTIFIED
American Board of Plastic Surgery · Since 2021
RECOGNITION
Castle Connolly Top Doctor · 2025–2026
SRQ Magazine Top Doctor · 2024–2026
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
The Aesthetic Society
BREADTH OF EXPERIENCE
Restoring form.
Supporting function.
Experience across reconstructive and aesthetic surgery informs an individualized plan for each patient.
Microsurgery & limb salvage
Complex tissue reconstruction using microsurgical techniques, including free-flap surgery and lower-extremity salvage after injury.
Explore reconstructive care ↗Hand & reconstructive surgery
Hand surgery and gender-affirming surgery form part of a broader practice focused on restoring form and function.
View surgical services ↗Aesthetic surgery & treatments
Breast and body surgery, body contouring, and facial and medical aesthetics, with options guided by your priorities.
Explore aesthetic surgery ↗LEADERSHIP & EDUCATION
Contributing beyond
the operating room.
Teaching future physicians
Current appointments include Assistant Professor of Surgery at Florida State University College of Medicine, Sarasota Campus, and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Florida Campus. He also serves as a surgical educator at Nova Southeastern University, Florida Campus. His teaching recognition includes the UCF College of Medicine “Best Resident Teacher” award in 2015.
Medical quality & scholarship
Dr. Kotick serves as a consultant to the Florida Department of Health’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance and reviews clinical manuscripts for the Journal of Hand Surgery and HAND. During residency, he served as Chief General Surgery Resident and Quality and Safety Chief Advisor at Orlando Health.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
A foundation in surgery,
science, and leadership.
2016–2019 · FELLOWSHIP
Plastic, Reconstructive & Hand Surgery · Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Massachusetts
Training included Lahey Clinic, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. During this period, he served as an instructor of surgery at Tufts School of Medicine and a resident and medical-student educator at Harvard Medical School.
2011–2016 · RESIDENCY
General Surgery · Orlando Health
Chief General Surgery Resident and Quality and Safety Chief Advisor.
2018 · BUSINESS EDUCATION
MBA · Capella University
Healthcare Administration and Entrepreneurship
2011 · MEDICAL EDUCATION
MD with Research Distinction · University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
2007 · UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION
Honors BS in Microbiology and Honors BA in Clinical Chemistry · University of South Florida
RESEARCH & PUBLICATION
Clinical experience.
Shared knowledge.
His CV lists seven peer-reviewed journal articles and a book chapter, spanning reconstructive surgery, hand surgery, neuroscience, and cardiovascular development. Selected work appears below.
Nerve salvage after electrical injury
Co-author of a case report on median nerve salvage using a nerve protector and an anterolateral thigh free flap after a high-voltage electrical burn.
Journal of Surgical Case Reports
Complex wound reconstruction
Lead author of a report on DIEP free flaps for complicated groin wound repair, with a review of reconstructive flap options.
Journal of Hand and Microsurgery · 2017;9(2):101–106
Read the publication ↗Lower-extremity trauma
Lead author of research examining repeated elevation of anterolateral thigh flaps during treatment of lower-extremity orthopaedic trauma.
Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery · 2016;32(3):189–193
Read the publication ↗More publications & scholarly work
Additional peer-reviewed publications
- 2024 · Skin cancer: Co-author, “Basal cell carcinoma arising at a laparoscopic abdominal trocar site: a case report.” Journal of Surgical Case Reports.
- 2019 · Revision rhinoplasty: Co-author of a cautionary report on dermatologic biopsy of a silicone nasal implant and revision rhinoplasty. Annals of Plastic Surgery.
- 2017 · Pediatric hand surgery: Lead author of a report on prolonged bleeding after a single leech application. Journal of Hand and Microsurgery. Publication ↗
- 2009 · Neuroscience: Co-author of research on interneurons and seizures in neuropilin 2-deficient mice. Epilepsia. Publication ↗
Book chapter & presentations
Co-author of “Heart valve development, maintenance, and disease: the role of endothelial cells,” Current Topics in Developmental Biology (2012). Read the chapter record ↗
Presentations listed in his CV include nasal reconstruction using the frontonasal flap (National ENT Meeting, 2024) and vascularized lymph-node transfer after breast cancer therapy (World Congress of Lymphology, 2015).
Research in progress
Ongoing work listed in the August 2026 CV includes an analysis of capsulectomy versus implant removal alone for breast implant illness, a review of negative-pressure wound therapy after breast reduction, and a letter concerning mold in saline implants. These projects are in preparation, data collection, or pending publication; they are not presented here as established findings.
CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY
Care across the region.
His August 2026 CV lists affiliations since 2019 with HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, HCA Florida Blake Hospital, HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital / Same Day Surgery Center, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, and Manatee Memorial Hospital. The location for an individual procedure is discussed during care planning.
A Florida native, Dr. Kotick grew up with music and painting before pursuing medicine. That connection to art and science continues to shape the personal approach he brings to Envision.
He also serves as Official Reconstructive Surgeon for Sarasota Polo. Earlier leadership experience includes serving as a partner at Palm Aesthetics / Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America (2019–2023).
Meet the Envision team ↗Credentials and professional history summarized from Dr. Kotick’s August 2026 curriculum vitae.
YOUR GOALS. A PERSONAL PLAN.
Let’s talk about
what’s possible.
Bring your questions. We’ll take the time to understand your priorities and discuss your options.