Some partnerships are built in the boardroom. Others are forged over decades of friendship, mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellence.
At Orange County Plastic Surgery at CosmetiCare, the collaboration between Dr. Juris Bunkis and Dr. Deborah Ekstrom is rooted in more than surgical expertise—it is the culmination of two remarkable careers that ultimately converged around a common philosophy: helping patients look and feel their very best.
Both surgeons grew up far from Southern California. Dr. Bunkis was raised in a mining town in Northern Ontario, Canada, while Dr. Ekstrom grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota. Those humble beginnings instilled a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for the importance of caring for people—qualities that continue to define their practice today.
Two Distinguished Careers, One Shared Purpose
Their professional journeys followed different paths before eventually intersecting. Dr. Ekstrom initially pursued medical school in Minnesota before completing her plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Massachusetts followed by a hand surgery fellowship in Connecticut. Along the way, a year of psychiatric study gave her a unique perspective on the emotional side of medicine, helping shape the compassionate, patient-centered approach she brings to every consultation…