- Medical School - New York University School of Medicine (2010-2014)
- Other Post Graduate Training - University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School (2018-2019), Health Services Research
- Residency - University of Michigan (2014-2022), Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship - Washington University in St. Louis (2022-2023), Hand & Upper Extremity
Jessica Billig, M.D.
- Plastic Surgery
- Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
- Microsurgery
Biography
Jessica I. Billig, M.D., M.S., is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery and microsurgery.
Dr. Billig earned her medical degree at New York University. She completed an integrated plastic surgery residency at the University of Michigan Hospital, where she was named Administrative Chief Resident. She gained advanced training through a fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University in St. Louis in the department of orthopaedic surgery. She also completed a fellowship in health services research through the National Clinician Scholars Program at the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation. She earned a master’s degree in health and health care research from the University of Michigan.
She joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2023.
Dr. Billig’s research interests include health services, financial toxicity for hand and upper extremity care, and outcome analyses. She has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed articles and abstracts in her areas of expertise.
She belongs to multiple professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and the American Association for Hand Surgery.
Personal Note
When she’s not at work, Dr. Billig enjoys running, cycling, traveling, and spending time with her family and dog.
Meet Dr. Billig
Dr. Jessica Billig is a skilled physician and researcher at UT Southwestern Medical Center, specializing in hand and upper extremity reconstruction and focusing her research on health policy. Trained in plastic and orthopedic surgery, she brings a unique blend of expertise to Parkland Memorial Hospital’s plastic surgery team.
Hand Reconstruction Surgery in Dallas, Texas
Dr. Billig's passion for hand reconstruction stems from the intricate complexity of the hand's anatomy, the biomechanical connections, and the fundamental role hands play in daily life.
"Patients don't realize how important their hands are until they have a problem," she says. "It's rewarding to be able to impact a person's life by restoring function to the hand."
As a plastic surgeon with a fellowship in orthopedic hand surgery, Dr. Billig possesses a comprehensive understanding of both soft tissue and peripheral nerve surgery, as well as bone reconstruction. This dual expertise positions her to tackle various hand and wrist issues, from general hand concerns to advanced procedures.
At Parkland Hospital, Dr. Billig has the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population. She is well-versed in treating sports-related injuries, chronic wrist pain, arthritis, and Dupuytren's contracture, using minimally invasive treatments such as arthroscopy.
"Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a camera to look at, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint," Dr. Billig says. "This procedure significantly decreases downtime so patients can quickly return to everyday life."
Using the Latest Technology and Treatments in Hand Reconstruction in Dallas, Texas
UT Southwestern offers a comprehensive approach to patient care, allowing patients to manage all their health care needs in one place.
"At Parkland's hand clinic, the specialists work together to provide the best functional outcome for the patient using the latest technology and treatments to resolve a range of issues," Dr. Billig says. "The physicians are evidence-based, knowledgeable about what is new and exciting in the field, and patient-centric in their care."
Dr. Billig delivers a tailored approach for her patients.
"Everyone is unique, and I take this into consideration when treating patients," she says. "I strive to build a foundation of trust by partnering with my patient and creating an environment where shared decision-making is welcome. I don't want to dictate treatment. I aim to ensure a personalized and compassionate approach to help patients achieve their full potential."
Health Policy Enthusiast: Dr. Billig's Research Passion at Parkland Memorial Hospital
Dr. Billig devotes 50 percent of her time at Parkland to research, and she has a keen interest in health policy. Her two-year fellowship in health services research through the National Clinician Scholars Program at the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation equips her with the tools to explore policy evaluation, insurance design, and the impact of health care systems on patients' financial well-being.
"One of the main reasons I joined Parkland was for the ability to continue my research on health policy," she says.
Whether Dr. Billig is treating a patient or focusing on health services research, she’s committed to improving the lives of patients through her expertise in hand and extremity reconstruction and her in-depth knowledge and continued dedication to health policy.
Education & Training
Professional Associations & Affiliations
- American Association for Hand Surgery
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Honors & Awards
- Dean’s Scholar in Clinical Research 2023, UT Southwestern
- COVID-19 Pandemic Meritorious Service Award 2020, University of Michigan Department of Surgery
- Reed O. Dingman Research Day Best Clinical Research Presentation Award 2019, University of Michigan Section of Plastic Surgery
Books & Publications
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Books
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Flexor tendon repair and reconstruction in Grabb and Smith’s Plastic Surgery (9th edition)
Billig JI, Chung KC (2023), Philadelphia, PA, Wolter Kluwer -
Rheumatoid hand in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery: An Atlas of Essential Procedures (1st edition)
Billig JI, Rahgozar P, Chung KC (2021), New York, NY, Thieme Medical Publishers -
Mutilating upper extremity injuries in Grabb and Smith’s Plastic Surgery (8th edition)
Billig JI, Chung KC (2020), Philadelphia, PA, Wolters Kluwer
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Flexor tendon repair and reconstruction in Grabb and Smith’s Plastic Surgery (9th edition)
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Publications
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Implementation of postoperative opioid prescribing guidelines after carpal tunnel release: a quality collaborative study.
Billig JI, Kotsis SV, Kong L, Wang L, Chung KC, The Journal of hand surgery, European volume 2024 Aug 17531934241268965 -
Digital artery flow hemodynamics: An ultrasonographic study.
Billig JI, Elzinga K, Siljander B, Gandikota G, Jacobson JA, Lawton JN, Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS 2024 Feb 91 111-118 -
Racial Disparities in the Cost of Unplanned Hospitalizations after Breast Reconstruction.
Nasser JS, Billig JI, Wang C, Wang L, Chung KC, Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2023 Aug 152 2 281-290 -
Catastrophic Health Expenditures Associated With Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures.
Billig JI, Law JM, Brody M, Cavanaugh KE, Dy CJ, The Journal of hand surgery 2023 Jul -
Cohort study of new off-label gabapentin prescribing in chronic opioid users.
Billig JI, Bicket MC, Yazdanfar M, Gunaseelan V, Sears ED, Brummett CM, Waljee JF, Regional anesthesia and pain medicine 2023 Jun -
Predictors and Variation in Steroid Injection Use for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from a Multicenter Quality Collaborative.
Billig JI, Kotsis SV, Kong L, Wang L, Chung KC, Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2023 Jun -
Gabapentinoid Prescribing for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Billig JI, Gunaseelan V, Yazdanfar M, Sears ED, Iwashyna TJ, Chang T, Waljee JF, Hand (New York, N.Y.) 2023 Jan 18 1_suppl 106S-113S -
A Quality Collaborative Study of the Concordance of Electrodiagnostic Scores and Clinical Severity in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Billig JI, Kotsis SV, Ouyang Z, Wang L, Chung KC, Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2022 Dec 150 6 1287-1296 -
Nonsurgical Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Survey of Hand Surgeons.
Billig JI, Sears ED, Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2022 Apr 10 4 e4189 -
Dissemination of Plastic Surgery Research: An Analysis of PRS and PRS-GO.
Nasser JS, Billig JI, Horiuchi S, Chung KC, Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open 2022 Mar 10 3 e3808 -
Task-Specific Patient Preferences for Shared Decision-Making in Hand Surgery.
Cho HE, Baxter NB, Billig JI, Kotsis SV, Haase SC, Chung KC, Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2022 Feb 149 2 229e-239e -
Trust and Distrust in Opioid Decision-Making: A Qualitative Assessment of Patient-Doctor Relationship.
Cho HE, Billig JI, Byrnes ME, Haase SC, Waljee JF, Chung KC, The Journal of hand surgery 2022 Feb 47 2 151-159.e1 -
Utilization of Diagnostic Testing for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Survey of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Billig JI, Sears ED, The Journal of hand surgery 2022 Jan 47 1 11-18 -
Evaluation of Factors Relevant to Pain Control Among Patients After Surgical Treatment.
Baxter NB, Cho HE, Billig JI, Kotsis SV, Haase SC, Chung KC, JAMA network open 2021 Dec 4 12 e2140869 -
Opioid Prescribing after Carpal Tunnel Release: Analysis from the Michigan Collaborative Hand Initiative for Quality in Surgery.
Billig JI, Kotsis SV, Chung KC, Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2021 Nov 148 5 1064-1072 -
Out-of-Pocket Spending for Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthritis: Capitation Matters.
Billig JI, Lu YT, Kelley BP, Chung KC, Sears ED, Hand (New York, N.Y.) 2021 Nov 16 6 818-826 -
Trends in Funding and Acquisition of Surgical Practices by Private Equity Firms in the US From 2000 to 2020.
Billig JI, Kotsis SV, Chung KC, JAMA surgery 2021 Nov 156 11 1066-1068 -
Perceived versus Patient-Reported Significance of Surgeon Gender in Breast Reconstruction.
Hsu JJ, Kubiak CA, Billig JI, Qi J, Hamill JB, Kim HM, Wilkins EG, Kung TA, Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2021 Oct 148 4 720-728 -
An Assessment Tool for Hand Surgical Education Needs and Capacity in Resource-Limited Settings.
Huynh KA, Billig JI, Lalonde DH, Chung KC, Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2021 Jul 148 1 42e-50e -
Surgical Timing for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Comparison of Health Care Delivery in the Veterans Administration and Private Sector.
Billig JI, Lu YT, Hayward RA, Sears ED, The Journal of hand surgery 2021 Jul 46 7 544-551 -
The Impact of Community Care Referral on Time to Surgery for Veterans With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Billig JI, Evans RR, Kerr EA, Hayward RA, Sears ED, Medical care 2021 Jun 59 Suppl 3 S279-S285 -
A Qualitative Study of Patient Protection against Postoperative Opioid Addiction: A Thematic Analysis of Self-Agency.
Cho HE, Billig JI, Byrnes ME, Nasser JS, Kocheril AP, Haase SC, Waljee JF, Chung KC, Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2021 May 147 5 1124-1131 -
Variation in Use of Electrodiagnostic Testing: Analysis From the Michigan Collaborative Hand Initiative for Quality in Surgery.
Billig JI, Kotsis SV, Chung KC, The Journal of hand surgery 2021 Mar 46 3 169-177 -
Association of Interfacility Transfer and Patient and Hospital Characteristics With Thumb Replantation After Traumatic Amputation.
Billig JI, Nasser JS, Cho HE, Chou CH, Chung KC, JAMA network open 2021 Feb 4 2 e2036297 -
Discrepancies in conservative treatment for thumb carpometacarpal arthritis: a comparison between different specialities and patient characteristics.
Billig JI, Kane RL, Yue M, Wang L, Chung KC, The Journal of hand surgery, European volume 2021 Feb 46 2 141-145
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Implementation of postoperative opioid prescribing guidelines after carpal tunnel release: a quality collaborative study.
Research
- Health services research
- Financial toxicity for hand and upper extremity care
- Outcome analyses
- Quality improvement in hand surgery
Clinical Focus
- Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
- Microsurgery
Results: 1 Locations
Parkland Memorial Hospital
5200 Harry Hines Blvd.Dallas, Texas 75235 214-590-8000 Directions to Parkland Memorial Hospital