Physician Information

Dr. Joseph R. Kolb is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and a former President of the Society of Military Plastic Surgeons.

Dr. Kolb received his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, and completed his internship and residency in general surgery at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO. He went on to complete his residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Following a prestigious military career culminating in his term as chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Army's Walter Reid Medical Center and Consultant to the Surgeon General for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Kolb retired from the Army as the multiply decorated Colonel Kolb.

One of the leading personalities in Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kolb has led a multi-faceted career that has encompassed many areas of plastic surgery, including facial, breast and other medically required reconstruction. His facility in cleft lip and palate reconstruction has led him into mission work with the Smile Train program in Central America and Afghanistan. He has served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD and has received many academic honors, along with numerous military awards and honors, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Legion of Merit.

Dr. Kolb opened Plastic Surgery of Eastern Indiana with a pledge to take care of his patients. He cites Reid Hospital's resolve to wholeness in mind, body and spirit as crucial to his decision to base his practice in Richmond, Indiana. His philosophy is simple; he presents the facts, dispels any rumors and attempts to support the patient's wishes, all while putting the patient at ease with his warmth and genuinely caring nature.