This article was originally written by Matt Larson and has been adapted for the Napa Solano Plastic Surgery blog.
At Napa Solano Plastic Surgery, we believe that skilled surgical care carries a responsibility that extends well beyond the operating room. Few people embody that belief more fully than Dr. William McClure, one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, whose career spans decades of patient care locally and humanitarian surgical work across the globe.
A Foundation Built at Stanford
Dr. McClure completed his plastic surgery residency at Stanford University in 1984. Shortly after, he joined a Napa-based practice founded by two surgeons who had also trained at Stanford, Dr. Jeff Reichel and Dr. John Zimmerman. The connection was a natural one. What cemented his decision, however, was a less conventional offering: the opportunity to continue annual overseas volunteer surgical work.
That commitment has grown considerably since. To date, Dr. McClure has completed 86 surgical missions across 16 countries. Most missions he funds personally or by sourcing his own medical supplies, though community donations and fundraisers have also played a meaningful role.
Changing Lives Through Surgical Education
The patients Dr. McClure serves abroad are primarily children with congenital deformities such as cleft lips, and individuals living with traumatic deformities caused by burn injuries. His focus has always been on those with the fewest resources and the greatest need.
One of his most enduring contributions began in 1989, when he established a plastic surgery teaching program in Vietnam. That program remains active today. In 2016, he launched a similar initiative in Cuba, becoming part of the only American surgical education program accepted by the Cuban government. The Cuba program is funded entirely by donors from the Napa Valley community.
“Humanitarian partnerships such as these are what bring hostile countries together,” Dr. McClure has noted. The sentiment captures something essential about how he approaches his work: as both a surgical discipline and a bridge between people.
The Community Behind the Work
The Napa Valley community has been a consistent and generous partner in supporting Dr. McClure’s international work. Local wineries, restaurants, churches, and civic organizations including Kiwanis and Rotary clubs have contributed to fundraising efforts over the years. Relief efforts have extended to hurricane response in Honduras, a health clinic in central Africa, and a mentoring program for at-risk youth closer to home.
One long-time Napa resident, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has personally donated and raised more than $850,000 in support of this work.
A Specialist in Rhinoplasty and a Full Range of Surgical Services
Back home, Dr. McClure brings that same precision and dedication to his patients at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery. He is particularly well known for rhinoplasty, a procedure that many plastic surgeons do not perform due to its technical demands and the degree of artistic judgment it requires. Dr. McClure sought specialized training early in his career, studying with two of the country’s most recognized rhinoplasty experts, and it remains one of his most requested procedures.
The practice offers a comprehensive range of cosmetic and reconstructive services. These include facial and body procedures, breast reconstruction following cancer treatment, as well as non-surgical treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, skin resurfacing, medical-grade skincare, and laser vein treatment. The team is also available to treat patients presenting with lacerations, burns, animal bites, and other traumas requiring reconstructive care.
A Career Rooted in Purpose
Dr. McClure has been recognized by the ReSurge International Foundation for his humanitarian contributions and received the Sister Ann McGuinn Award for Justice from Queen of the Valley Medical Center. In 2005, he was recognized by the Dalai Lama as “an unsung hero of compassion” at a ceremony in San Francisco.
Now well into his fourth decade as a practicing surgeon, Dr. McClure has no plans to slow down. His goal is to bring on younger associates at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery, allowing him to dedicate additional time to both his international work and volunteer projects in the local community.
His explanation for the longevity is straightforward: “If plastic surgery was a hobby, I would do it on the weekends. I enjoy my patients too much, and I love operating.”
To learn more about Dr. McClure and the philosophy that guides our practice, visit his physician profile. If you would like to schedule a consultation, you can reach our team through our contact page.