Katharine C. Nitta, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Nitta’s career began in the fine arts. She undertook classical training in music, art, and dance at a young age while growing up in Santa Monica, California. By age eleven she had performed with the Santa Monica Symphony as a soloist, the Los Angeles Music Center, and many other festivals. Her activities led her to Stanford University where she began as a drama major, later transitioning to the Biological Sciences for her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. In New York she continued her involvement in the arts while attending the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, beginning a thirty year career in medicine. After medical school, eight years of rigorous surgical training followed at UCLA. There, she completed residencies in Otolaryngology and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, allowing her to sit and pass the board certifications for both fields. Since completing her training, she has worked in private practice in Newport Beach. Her background in the arts lends an innate aesthetic touch to her work.

A keen interest in health and fitness has also defined Dr. Nitta’s life and career. During Medical School she was a certified fitness instructor, and continued dance training until an injury ended her involvement. As a “starving student” in New York she developed an interest in alternative medicine. Since being in practice she has added certifications in Medical Acupuncture and Herbology.

Dr. Nitta believes that to look good, one should feel good inside and out. She is happy to advise her patients in all aspects of health and well-being.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

Stanford University – B.S. – Biology
Stanford University – M.S. – Biology
Albert Einstein School of Medicine – M.D.

Postgraduate

Internship, General Surgery – UCLA School of Medicine

Residencies

General Surgery – UCLA School of Medicine
Head and Neck Surgery – UCLA School of Medicine
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – UCLA School of Medicine

Board Certifications

Diplomat, American Board Of Plastic Surgery
Diplomat, American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery

Appointments

Hoag Memorial Hospital Chairman Plastic Surgery Dept – 2001 to 2003
Hoag Memorial Hospital Vice-Chairman Plastic Surgery – 1999 to 2000
St. Joseph Hospital Chairman Plastic Surgery Dept – 1997 to 1999
Professional Advisory Board of The Wellness Community

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

Fellow, American College of Surgeons

American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Orange County Plastic Surgery Society

Orange County Medical Association

California Medical Association

California Society of Plastic Surgeons

Paul Ward Society

 

PUBLICATIONS

Published
  1. Nitta, Katharine, “Electrophysiological properties of the tail nerve bundle in Cambarus Pacificans.” Senior Thesis, Stanford University, 1979.
  2. Waxman, S.G., Kocsis, J.D., and K.C. Nitta, “Lysophosphatidly choline induced focal demyelination in the rabbit corpus callosum.” Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 44:45-53, 1979.
  3. Waxman, S.G., Kocsis, J.D., and K.C. Nitta, “Lysophosphatidly choline induced focal demyelination in the rabbit corpus callosum.” Neuroscience Abstracts, 1979.
  4. Frankel, L., Kuhls, T., Nitta, K., Ward, P.H., and J. Cherry, “Recurrent bipolaris sinusitis following surgical and antifungal therapy.” Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 6:1130-1132, 1987.
  5. Teresi, L., Lufkin, R., Nitta, K., Vinuela, F., Bentson, J., Wilson, G., and W. Hanafee, “MRI of the facial nerve: normal anatomy and pathology.” Sem. Ult., Ct and MR., 3:240-255, 1987.
Submitted & Accepted
  1. Nitta, K., and M. Zimmerman, “Anomalies of the great vessels masquerading as head and neck tumors.” Archives of Otolaryngology. Presented at the Western Sections Triological Society Meeting, January, 1979.
Research Projects
  1. Electrophysiology of the tail nerve bundle in Cambarus Pacificans. Advisor: Dr. P.A. Getting. Stanford University, 1977-79.
  2. Current properties of buccal ganglion cells in Aplysia. Advisor: Dr. Stuart Thompson. Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, 1978.
  3. Clinical uses of fundoscopy and retinal bleaching techniques. Advisor: Dr. M.F. Marmor. Stanford University School of Medicine.
  4. Physiologic and anatomic effects of lysophosphatidyl choline in rabbit corpus callosum. Advisor: Dr. S.G. Waxman. Stanford University Scholl of Medicine 1978-79.
  5. Development of the animal model for single unit recordings of vestibular afferents from Scarpa’s Ganglion in bullfrogs. Advisor: Dr. Vincente Honrubia. UCLA Division of Head and Neck Surgery.