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James Banich, MD

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon & Otolaryngologist

Education & Credentials

  • Doctor of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
  • Residency in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Loyola University Medical Center
  • Three years in General Plastic Surgery at Loyola (after initial otolaryngology training)

Specialties & Services

  • Comprehensive Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Reconstruction Following Skin Cancer Surgery
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Bio

Dr. James Banich’s path to plastic surgery blends art, science, and compassion. Born in Chicago, Dr. Banich pursued his undergraduate degree at Princeton University in ecology and evolutionary biology while also exploring the arts—acting in major university productions and even studying wild horses in North Carolina. This blend of science and creative curiosity would later define his surgical style.

After earning his M.D. from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (where he graduated magna cum laude and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society), he completed a rigorous residency in otolaryngology–head & neck surgery, followed by three additional years in general plastic surgery. During that time, he mastered reconstructive and cosmetic techniques for the face, body, and breast.

For a decade, Dr. Banich practiced in the Mayo Clinic Health System in northwest Wisconsin, serving as the region’s sole plastic surgeon and earning recognition for patient satisfaction and excellence in care. In 2017, he joined Vanguard Skin Specialists in Colorado, drawn by the practice’s mission to combine top-tier surgical expertise with patient-centered care and community outreach. He views each case—whether a skin-cancer reconstruction, a mommy makeover, or a complex trauma repair—as a unique puzzle requiring both technical skill and artistic vision.

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Off the clock, you’ll find him hiking Colorado’s trails, drawing, practicing yoga, or enjoying music and creative projects with his four children. In his practice, he strives to do more than restore form—he restores confidence, dignity, and the sense of “whole” that his patients deserve.

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Dr. Banich acted in seven theatrical productions while attending Princeton University

A person in a large brown dog mascot costume wearing a beige trench coat gives a thumbs up gesture. Inspired by James Banich, MD, the scene stands out against a plain white background.

Dr. Banich was McGruff the Crime Dog for a children’s safety program. He was also the Princeton Tiger mascot for half a football season, but he had to quit because he couldn’t keep the oath of anonymity.

Publications and Awards