In honor of their distinguished career and service to the greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky communities, the staff and surgeons of The Plastic Surgery Group want to recognize Dr. Gene Ireland, Dr. Michael Columbus and Dr. Michael Leadbetter for their dedication.
Dr. Gene Ireland, DDS, MD, FACS
Retired December 2016
Professionally recognized as a specialist in plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery and general surgery, Dr. Ireland combined the extensive experience of these specialized disciplines to address the diverse needs of his patients. Together with the personal attention he gave his patients, Dr. Ireland believed strongly in patient education. His goal was to help each patient have a thorough understanding of available procedures and risk.
In 1965, Dr. Ireland completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas. He received his Doctor of Dentistry degree in 1969 from the University of Missouri where he graduated with distinction. Dr. Ireland continued his education graduating from The University of Connecticut with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1975. He later proceeded to complete his plastic surgery residency at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia in 1980, general surgery residency at the University of Cincinnati, and his oral surgery residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas.
Following his academic achievements Dr. Ireland completed a fellowship in Plastic Surgery at The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Ireland also holds a membership in the prestigious American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), and is a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons (FACS).
Dr. Ireland passed away peacefully on August 4th, 2022, at his home in Rockwall, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patricia Murphree, along with his four children (Drew, Trish, Ginger, Alissa) and nine grandchildren. A founding partner of the Plastic Surgery Group in 1993, Dr. Ireland positively impacted the lives of countless patients and colleagues throughout his distinguished career. We will remember him not only as a remarkable doctor but also as a cherished family man, mentor, and friend to all.
Click here to view Dr. Gene E. Ireland’s obituary in its entirety.
Dr. Michael J. Columbus, M.D.
Retired December 2019
Dr. Columbus dedicated his entire career to serving the individual needs of his patients. Recognized in 2005, 2007, 2008, & 2010-2018 as a Top Doctor in Plastic Surgery by Cincinnati Magazine, Dr. Columbus focused his practice on aesthetic surgery.
Dr. Columbus graduated summa cum laude from the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Columbus completed his general residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. In addition to completing his general residency he completed a residency in plastic, reconstructive and hand surgery from University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Columbus also completed a fellowship in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Miami, Florida, with additional training and certification in Endoscopic Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Laser Resurfacing of the Face. Dr. Columbus is a member in good standing of the prestigious American Board of Surgery (ABS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and a member in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Dr. Columbus has made numerous appearances on local and nationally broadcast programs.
Dr. Columbus, a Cincinnati plastic surgeon, was a founding partner of The Plastic Surgery Group. As part of TPSG, Dr. Columbus specialized in breast enlargement and all cosmetic surgery.
Michael G. Leadbetter, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Retired March 2020
Dr. Leadbetter is a graduate of Otterbein College where he graduated with honors in the Department of Biology with a minor in psychology. He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. During his medical school training, he completed a Rehabilitation Fellowship in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University. He was awarded the WH Meiling Radiology Fellowship at the University of Munich in Munich, Germany. After medical school, he was awarded a fellowship through the Royal College of Surgeons and Rotary International to study in London, England. Upon returning to the United States from London, the doctor completed his general surgery training at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio; and the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Following his general surgery training, Dr. Leadbetter was Director of the Emergency Medicine Center at Middletown Hospital in Middletown, Ohio, before returning to his specialty training in plastic surgery at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. After completing his plastic surgery training, Dr. Leadbetter completed additional training and certification in endoscopic aesthetic plastic surgery and laser procedures of the face and body.
Dr. Leadbetter was board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the prestigious American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a Fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine. He is a past board member of The Lipoplasty Society, the premier educational organization for the teaching of body contouring.
Currently, Dr. Leadbetter is President Emeritus of the Board of Governors of the Ohio State Medical Alumni Association, a Board Member of The Greater Cincinnati Music and Wellness Coalition and Global Music and Wellness, a Board Member of the Reid Rizzo Foundation, and a Board Member of the Cincinnati Friends of Charity.
Dr. Leadbetter dedicated his medical career to meeting the unique and individualized needs of his patients. Dr. Leadbetter was a founding partner of The Plastic Surgery Group. As a part of TPSG, Dr. Leadbetter specialized in oncologic breast reconstruction, breast enlargement and cosmetic surgery of the face and body. Dr. Leadbetter was recognized with the Top Doctor Award by Cincinnati Magazine in Cosmetic Surgery in 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2007 through 2018.
“I would not say that I have a unique leadership style, however, I do work strategically to express and articulate the vision of our organization. I hope that our vision is based on a core ideology, core values and a core purpose. Being able to choose great, skilled employees and empower them to carry the visions of your organization is the most important thing that you can do as a leader.”