Surgeon Emeritus: Richard H. Tholen

Prior to his retirement in July of 2026, Dr. Tholen strove to deliver the highest-quality, innovative cosmetic surgery available in the Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota area and beyond. For over 39 years, he endeavored to develop Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD. into one of the premier destinations for in-office, outpatient aesthetic plastic surgery in a nationally-accredited (QUAD A, formerly AAAASF) on-site surgical facility. Thousands of patients placed their trust and well-being in the skilled hands of Dr. Tholen. He was recognized not only for his skill and experience, but also for his artistry and caring personal touch.

Now that Dr. Tholen has retired, people interested in a procedure should contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gervais or Dr. Eljazzar.

Richard H. Tholen, M.D., F.A.C.S.

“My goal is to produce natural-looking results that are in harmony with the rest of the individual’s features.” –Dr. Richard H. Tholen

Dr. Tholen joined MPS in 1987 after completion of seven years of post-MD surgical training (General Surgery, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He received Board-Certification by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons (FICS). He completed additional training in cosmetic surgery, breast surgery, advanced rhinoplasty techniques, suction-assisted lipoplasty (liposuction) including ultrasonic liposuction, laser surgery, and (non-genital) surgery for transgender patients.

His private practice at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD. was aesthetic in nature, and was focused virtually exclusively on cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Tholen is an active member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS), American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, and International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). Dr. Tholen enjoyed hospital affiliation with full plastic surgical privileges at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. He served as co-director for laser education at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and was co-chairman for numerous annual courses in Cutaneous Laser Surgery taught at Abbott’s Laser Center, Minimally Invasive Care Center, and Center for Cosmetic Care.

As a faculty member of Laser Centers of America, he taught numerous physician training courses nationally and internationally, and has been an invited laser surgery instructor at numerous hospitals throughout the US, and also at Samsung Hospital in Seoul, South Korea.

Dr. Richard H. Tholen is primary author of multiple journal articles as well as two book chapters in peer-reviewed plastic surgical literature, and has written and presented over 150 papers and lectures on all aspects of cosmetic surgery and other plastic surgical topics as visiting professor, invited speaker, and panelist at national plastic surgery meetings, as well as individually over the past four decades as a plastic surgeon. He has served on several plastic surgical and medical/surgical committees and has been a case reviewer for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare.

Dr. Tholen has served as president of the Minnesota Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as president of the Midwestern Association of Plastic Surgeons, and remains a strong advocate for advanced training, education, and certification for doctors who perform cosmetic surgery. Dr. Tholen has been honored by inclusion in the Best Plastic Surgeons in America, Leading Physicians in the World, and peer-selection on multiple occasions as “Top Doctor” by Minneapolis / St. Paul Magazine.

As a frequent expert contributor to RealSelf.com, Dr. Tholen has been included in the RealSelf Elite (Top 1% of RealSelf 100 Doctors).

Dr. Tholen was also medical director of Minneapolis Anti-Aging and Skin Clinic (formerly Carillon Clinic, Ltd.), a medically-based and physician-supervised skin and body care clinic that arose nearly thirty years ago from Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, Ltd. MAASC is one of the first and longest continuously-operating skin and body care “Medi-Spas” in the state.

Dr. Tholen is proud that both Minneapolis Plastic Surgery and Minneapolis Anti-Aging & Skin Clinic are now partnered with Forefront Dermatology, a physician-run team consisting of nearly 500 physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants in over 270 clinics throughout 31 states and the District of Columbia. MPS was the first plastic surgical practice to join Forefront (in 2022), and shares their goal of being the skin care and cosmetic surgery providers of choice for the communities and areas being served, providing world-class aesthetic surgery and skin care while preserving, leading, and advancing the private practice of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Tholen’s wife, Sami Tholen, R.N. is a former Mayo Clinic critical care nurse with over 30 years’ experience, most recently as recovery room head nurse at MPS. Presently retired from this role, Sami helped the staff at MPS with ACLS certification, OSHA compliance, and QUAD A accreditation for MPS. She now assists at Balance, a support group for amputees. Fortunately, Sami still enjoys hanging out with Dr. Tholen, and has been looking forward to his retirement.

In retirement, Dr. Tholen enjoys travel with Sami, and occasionally with one or more of their six children as well as golf. Besides spending time with his family, Dr. Tholen also enjoys all things electronic, timepieces, and sporty automobiles.

Dr. Tholen is no longer accepting new patients and has performed his last surgery. He has completed personal care of his most recent surgeries and has said farewell to his patients and staff. He extends a sincere thanks to all!