Michael Friel, MD

Surgical Director - Ochsner Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Program

4.9 of 5 Stars
Based on 51 Patient Verified Ratings

Dr. Michael Friel serves as the surgical director of Ochsner’s Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate, and Craniofacial Program. Dr. Friel is a double-fellowship trained, triple-board certified surgeon (American Board of Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery and American Board of Plastic Surgery Hand Subspecialty). He serves as a section editor for Annals of Plastic Surgery and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. He is a reviewer for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal and Microsurgery.

Dr. Friel brings contemporary reconstructive treatment options for patients with congenital and post-traumatic pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery needs. He enjoys participating in medical missions and has participated in multiple Operation Smile medical missions. Dr. Friel has a number of offices throughout the New Orleans area and Gulf South to see patients closer to their home, with offices in New Orleans, Slidell, Covington, Mandeville, Houma, Baton Rouge and Hattiesburg. He operates at Ochsner Medical Center, Ochsner Baptist Hospital, St. Charles Parish Hospital and St. Tammany Hospital.

To schedule an appointment at any of Dr. Friel's offices, please call 504-84-CLEFT (504-842-5338) or 1-855-312-4190.

*Appointment times and availability for established patients may vary within the MyOchsner portal.

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Medical Education

Tulane University School of Medicine - GME
Field of Study: Medical Degree

Residency

Temple University School of Medicine
Field of Study: Plastic Surgery

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Field of Study: General Surgery

Fellowship

Indiana University School of Medicine
Field of Study: Craniofacial/Peds Plastics

The Buncke Clinic
Field of Study: Hand & Microsurgery

American Board of Plastic Surgery
American Board of Surgery

August 2022

Dr. Friel was prompt, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. He sensed my anxiety and helped put me at ease. He explained complicated information in an easy to understand manner. He also made sure My son's pediatrician immediately received the outcome of the visit.

May 2022

Physician great with daughter

April 2022

Dr Friel is wonderful! He listened to our concerns and involved us in my daughter's plan of care. I would highly recommend Dr Friel to others. He was very compassionate and made my daughter feel comfortable and special.

March 2022

He listened to my concerns and didn't push it off or rush through it, he examined my daughter and gave me her percentile results right there, gave me recommendations and let me know if I did not see improvement that I was able to make another appointment with it. He made the whole appointment at ease

Great experience and so caring

February 2021

We absolutely loved working with Dr Friel. He is so kind and attentive. He explained everything thoroughly, acknowledged all of our concerns, and helped ease my husband and my anxiety when my two year old needed surgery. He has a great bedside manner, and he and his office staff are quick to respond to any calls or MyChart messages. Forever grateful to have had him take care of my daughter!

Our Response:
Thank you for your kind words, we will make sure they reach our team. Best wishes!

Source: Google

August 2021

Dr Friel is absolutely amazing. He’s extremely patient and personable. He does what’s right for the child and the parents to ensure their security in the process. My daughter has a cleft palate and he’s known her since she’s been born. She’s now 8 months and we’re scheduling surgery for after she makes a year. His recommendation to just enjoy her after all the trauma she and her family has experienced within such a short time is much appreciated. I would recommend him to anyone

Our Response:
Thank you for telling us about our wonderful team! They work tirelessly to ensure that every patient receives the best quality of care. They will love to hear about your kind words! We wish you all the best!

October 2021

Dr friel has always been a very good doctor and very kind to me and my family

Our Response:
It's good to hear about your positive experience with us. We work hard to make sure our patients receive the best quality of care. Thank you for choosing us!

He takes great care to detail about his patients, my daughter was born with a cleft and he’s done a wonderful job with her nose and lip .

Our Response:
Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear that our team provided the quality service that we're known for. We wish you all the best!

June 2022

Dr. Friel is so amazing he is very nice and personable he has wonderful bedside manners whenever we are there he makes us feel comfortable we never feel rushed and he always ask if we have any questions and concerns. He is the best in the city…thank you Dr. Friel.

Our Response:
We're all about great people and exceptional service. We will let our team know about your wonderful feedback. We appreciate the review and we hope you continue to heal and get back to what you love.

De Friel is a great doctor and really cares about his patients.

Our Response:
We appreciate your kind words. Compassion and empathy are the cornerstones of our patient-client relationships. Thank you for the kind review.

Dr. Friel was prompt, knowledgeable, and kind. He showed concern for my son's overall development and health and put me at ease.

Our Response:
Thank you for your kind words. Our staff's knowledge, compassion, and expertise are what make us a trusted healthcare provider. Have a great day!

It was great! I felt completely comfortable with the whole process😁.

Our Response:
It's so good to see that you had a positive experience with us. We work hard to make sure our patients receive the best quality of care. Thank you!

September 2022

I had a very great experience with this provider! Wait time from checking in to getting called back to a room was maybe 5 minutes. Once we were in the room, the nurse asked us a few questions and then within 2-3 minutes the doctor came into the room. I think this was the fastest I was ever seen by any doctor in my whole life. He was extremely nice and professional and explained everything throughly. His staff was also excellent. I was very satisfied with my experience! I definitely recommend this provider!

December 2022

The staff and doctor Friel were very nice and informative. They made us feel very comfortable.

Our Response:
Thank you for your great feedback! We're delighted to hear about our staff's quality care. We'll make sure that they hear your kind words and we wish you all the best!

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Michael Friel, MD

Ochsner Health Center for Children Pediatric Subspecialties - Covington

Ochsner Health Center for Children Pediatric Subspecialties - Covington

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