Dr. Darlene Sparkman | Richmond Plastic Surgeons

Dr. Darlene Sparkman comes to Richmond Plastic Surgeons from Baylor Scott & White Health—the largest non-profit health system in Texas. She brings a wealth of skills and knowledge in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, and body to the practice. She has extensive experience in microvascular surgery, including DIEP, PAP, and LICAP flap breast reconstruction.

About Dr. Sparkman

Dr. Darlene Sparkman aims to inspire the next generation of health care providers. Prior to moving to Virginia, she developed a breast reconstruction curriculum for the microvascular fellowship at Baylor Scott & White Health. She was an active preceptor for PA students at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and served as adjunct faculty at Texas A&M Medical School. She also interacted with the pre-medicine and biomechanics students at Baylor University.

She strives to be a leader in the healthcare community. Prior to joining Richmond Plastic Surgeons, she served as Director of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Chief of the Division of General Surgery, and Chair of the Department of Surgery at Baylor Scott & White Health – Hillcrest. She also served on the Baylor Scott & White Health breast implant governance council and was a co-hair for the Baylor Scott & White Health – Hillcrest Women Providers Social Network.

Dr. Sparkman Procedures

Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction Procedures

Originally from Minnesota, Dr. Sparkman graduated Summa Cum Laude with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and business administration. She then attended medical school at the world-renowned, and top-ranked Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She completed her residency at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where she received both a scholastic achievement award and a trainee award of excellence. She then completed a fellowship in microvascular surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, where she was a nominee for the Excellence Award for Teamwork. She subsequently received her MBA from Baylor University in Waco, TX, where she was a Beta Gamma Sigma inductee.

Dr. Sparkman has published papers in national journals and presented at national conferences. She is board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She is a member of American Society of Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.

Dr. Sparkman’s husband is also a surgeon, specializing in surgical oncology. They live in Midlothian with their 13-month-old-daughter.

Educational Background

Fellowship

MD Anderson Cancer Center, Microvascular Surgery

Residency

University of Cincinnati Medical Center

Medical School

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine – Rochester, MN

Certifications

American Board of Plastic Surgery

Memberships

American Society of Plastic Surgery
American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgeons
American College of Surgeons

Publications

Gregory JK, Guse DM. Unique Variant of Levator Glandulae Thyroideae Muscle. Clin Anat 2007; 20:966-7.
Guse D, Bruzek M, DeVos P, Brown JH. Electrochemical reduction of atrazine: NMR evidence for reduction of the triazine ring. J Electroanalytical Chem 2009; 626:171-173.
Guse DM, Naaman VA. Bilateral Macrostomia. Interesting Case Series. ePlasty.com. http://eplasty.com/images/PDF/eplasty-d-10-00011.pdf April 1, 2010.
Guse DM, Zobitz PM, Validation of the Audience Response System. Br J Ed Tech. Sep 2010.
May JH, Levy BA, Guse DM, Shah J, Stuart MJ, Dahm DL. ACL Tibial Spine Avulsion: Mid-term Outcomes and Rehabilitation. Orthopedics. Feb 2011; 34(2):89.
Guse DM, Moran SL, Outcomes of the surgical treatment of peripheral neuromas of the hand and forearm: A 25 year comparative outcome study. Ann Plast Surg. Aug 2012 Epub.
Guse DM, Revision Amputations in the ED: Tricks and Tips. Ann of B Pod. 2013; 8(1):8-9.
Sparkman DM, Simmons MR, Patil YJ. Subjective Morbidity Following Fibular Free Flaps in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. J Laryngol Otol. Aug 2018; 132(8):729-733.
Vu AT, Sparkman DM, van Belle CJ, Yakuboff KP, Schwentker AR. Retropharyngeal Contralateral C7 Nerve Transfer to the Lower Trunk for Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: Technique and Results. J Hand Surg Am. May 2018; 43(5):417-424
Sparkman DM, Kitzmiller WJ. Groin Dissection and Regional Lymphadenectomy in G.R.D. Evans (ed). Operative plastic surgery. July 2019

Research Presentations

Guse DM, Shaikoski SK, Sanow LM, Synthesis of Silatranes with Si-Si Interactions. Presented at: 2003 American Chemical Society National Meeting, American Chemical Society. New Orleans, LA, 2003
Guse DM, Bankers-Fulbright JL, RNA interference in Eosinophils. Presented at 2003 Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows’ Annual Presentation Reception. Rochester, MN, 2003.
Bohnsack JN, Guse DM, Sanow LM, Synthesis of a Silatrane with Si-Si Interaction. Presented at: 2004 American Chemical Society National Meeting, American Chemical Society. Anaheim, CA, 2004.
Guse DM, Brown J, Voltammetry of Atrazine. Presented at SMSU Annual Environmental Chemistry Conference, Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, MN, 2004.
Guse DM, Drug Testing Using Hair Analysis. Presented at SMSU Department of Chemistry Senior Thesis Seminar, Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, MN, 2005.
Guse DM, Dajani KA, Shah JP, Levy BA, Stuart MJ, Dahm, DL, ACL Tibial Spine Avulsion Treatment and Outcomes, Presented at: International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Seventh Biennial ISAKOS Congress, Osaka, Japan, April 5-9, 2009.
Guse DM, Dajani KA, Shah JP, Levy BA, Stuart MJ, Dahm, DL, ACL Tibial Spine Avulsion Treatment and Outcomes, Presented at: Mid-America Orthopaedic Association 2009 Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, April 22 – 26, 2009.
Guse DM, Dajani KA, Shah JP, Levy BA, Stuart MJ, Dahm, DL, ACL Tibial Spine Avulsion Treatment and Outcomes, Presented at: Arthroscopy Association of North America 2009 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, April 30 – May 3, 2009.
Guse DM, Moran SL. Long Term Outcomes of Peripheral Neuromas of the Hand and Forearm, Presented at: 2010 Annual Mayo Medical School Senior Research Symposium. Rochester, MN, March 18, 2010.
Guse DM, Moran SL. Long Term Outcomes of Peripheral Neuromas of the Hand and Forearm, Presented at: American Association of Plastic Surgeons 2010 Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, March 21-23, 2010.
Guse DM, Fisher A, Schwentker AR, Pan BS. Non-excisional Otoplasty, Presented at: Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons 2013 Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, May 17-19, 2013.
Schaeffer CV, Sparkman DM, Schwentker AR. Motor Recovery After Brachial Plexus Resection and Grafting, Presented at: Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons 2015 Annual Meeting, Covington, KY May 29-31, 2015.
van Bell CJ, Vu AT, Sparkman DM, Schwentker AR, Yakuboff KP. Retropharyngeal Contralateral C7 Nerve Transfer to the Lower Trunk for Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy: Technique and Early Results, Presented at: Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons 2015 Annual Meeting, Covington, KY May 29-31, 2015.
Sparkman DM, Schwentker AR. Spontaneous upper extremity compartment syndrome, Presented at: Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons 2015 Annual Meeting, Covington, KY May 29-31, 2015.
Schaeffer CV, Sparkman DM, Schwentker AR. Motor Recovery After Brachial Plexus Resection and Grafting, Presented at: American Society of Peripheral Nerve 2016 Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ January 2016.
Sparkman DM, Simmons MR, Pyun AS, Patil YJ. Morbidity following Fibular Free Flaps in Head and Neck Cancer Patients, Presented at: American Head and Neck Surgery 9th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, Seattle, WA July 27, 2016.
Sparkman DM, Adelman DM, Lewis V, Selber JC, Hanasono M. Reduction in Morbidity of External Hemipelvectomy Reconstruction via Standard and Microsurgical Techniques, Presented at: American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgeons 2018 Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, January 2018.
Sparkman DM, Thorpe SW, Dang AQ, Lin P, Lewis V, Hanasono M, Adelman DM. The Effect of Tranexamic Acid on Wound Healing and Flap Survival in the Setting of Hemipelvectomy Reconstruction, Presented at: American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgeons

Darlene Sparkman, M.D., MBA, F.A.C.S.