Dr. Silvia Kurtovic

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Co-Founder, Tucson Plastic Surgery

By Tiffany Kjos

Dr. Silvia Kurtovic’s dedication to a compassionate approach isn’t just good bedside manner—it is rooted in personal empathy and advanced medical training. 

Kurtovic, who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, moved here from Austin in 2021 to found a practice with her partner, Dr. Raman Mahabir. One of their reasons for moving was to bring DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery, a specialized procedure that can be rare in     smaller cities, to Tucson.

“We really wanted to come to a place where we could have a greater impact and more of a connection with the community versus being in a big city,” Kurtovic said.

One of few female surgeons in Arizona to be a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Kurtovic graduated with honors from UCLA, earned her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed surgery training at Cedars-Sinai and a plastic surgery residency at Duke.

Kurtovic was drawn to medicine after her mother, in a community much like Tucson, underwent treatment for aggressive breast cancer.

“My first experience on the receiving end of health care was surprisingly bad and disappointing. Fortunately, this same experience really motivated me to commit to providing better care for my patients.,” said Kurtovic, whose mother passed away about two years after her diagnosis.

“After supporting my mother through breast cancer treatments, I saw the need to bring in a more human-centric approach to caring for surgical patients. To me, one of the most important things is to ensure my patients feel seen and heard throughout their entire healing journey.” 

Along with breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgeries, Kurtovic performs mommy makeovers, tummy tucks and body contouring. She’s also a Reiki master and trained in craniosacral work, which, she said, indirectly affects her approach.

“To me it’s about being present, and that’s what these modalities do—they help me stay grounded so I can support patients’ healing in a more authentic way,” Kurtovic said.

Aware many women can’t afford life-changing surgery, Kurtovic and Mahabir founded the nonprofit Reblossom, delivering free surgeries to 17 patients since 2022.

“We wanted to have a broader reach within the community—not just the people who can afford it or who have good insurance,” Kurtovic said. “This is our way to bridge that gap.”

Her focus on patients as people is what sets Kurtovic apart, said anesthesiologist Tiffany Thornton.

“She cares so much about her patients and takes the time to get to know them and figure out what their goals with surgery are and how to get them,” Thornton said. “The women of Tucson are just so lucky to have her here doing these amazing surgeries.”

Photo by Brent G. Mathis