This article was originally written by Matt Larson and has been adapted for the Napa Solano Plastic Surgery blog.
Dr. McClure’s international work demonstrates how a board-certified plastic surgeon in Napa can serve local patients while supporting children and communities abroad. His career connects advanced surgical care, humanitarian plastic surgery, and long-term medical education through decades of patient care and volunteer surgical missions.
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 Stanford residency 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. Dr. McClure’s international work has now included 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 in supporting his work as a humanitarian plastic surgeon.
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 cleft lip surgery mission work has always focused 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 important about how he approaches his work as a humanitarian plastic surgeon: 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. As a board-certified plastic surgeon in Napa, 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.
These honours reflect the broader purpose behind Dr. McClure’s international work and his role as a humanitarian plastic surgeon. Now with more than four decades of experience 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 international work and volunteer projects in the local community.
His explanation for the longevity is straightforward: “If plastic surgery were 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.
FAQs About Dr. McClure’s International Work
What Is Dr. Mcclure’s International Work Focused On?
Dr. McClure’s international work focuses on volunteer surgical care, medical education, and support for patients with limited access to treatment. His missions have included care for children with cleft lips, burn injuries, and other reconstructive needs.
How Many Surgical Missions Has Dr. Mcclure Completed?
Dr. McClure has completed dozens of surgical missions across multiple countries, supporting patients and training local medical teams. These missions reflect his long-term commitment to using plastic surgery to improve lives beyond his Napa practice.
What Makes Dr. Mcclure A Humanitarian Plastic Surgeon?
Dr. McClure is considered a humanitarian plastic surgeon because he has dedicated decades to volunteer surgical missions, teaching programmes, and community-supported medical outreach. His work has helped children, families, and medical teams in countries where access to reconstructive surgery is limited.
Does Dr. Mcclure Also See Patients In Napa?
Yes, Dr. McClure sees patients at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery, where he provides cosmetic and reconstructive care. As a board-certified plastic surgeon in Napa, he is especially known for rhinoplasty and his broad surgical experience.
To learn more about Dr. McClure’s international work 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.