Meet Dr. Koehler

Dr. Koehler first became interested in a surgical career during a general practice residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. During his training at Harborview Medical Center, he found he was armed with the skilled hands and keen eye for detail required for the technical demands of surgery.

After completing a general surgery internship, Dr. Koehler further pursued his interests in maxillofacial surgery at the University of Alabama, currently one of the top programs in the United States. He then completed a facial cosmetic surgery fellowship under the guidance of Dr. Peter Waite, a past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Medical Degree

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) – University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL
  • Graduated Magna Cum Laude
  • Elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society

Surgical Internship & Residency

• General Surgery Internship – University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
• Residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery – University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL

Cosmetic Surgery Fellowships

• Fellowship in Facial Cosmetic Surgery – University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
• Fellowship in General (Full Body) Cosmetic Surgery – Tulsa Surgical Arts, Tulsa, OK

Prior Academic Degrees

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) – University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
  • Graduated With Distinction
  • Alberta Dental Association Gold Medal (1st in class)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) – University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Professional Experience

Dr. Koehler’s career reflects progression from academic surgery to fellowship training leadership to multi-state private practice ownership.

• Owner & Surgeon, Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery – Fairhope, Alabama
• Founder, Olympus Cosmetic Surgery – Boca Raton, Florida
• Private Practice Cosmetic Surgeon, Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Co-Director, Clinical Fellowship Training Program in General Cosmetic Surgery, Tulsa Surgical Arts
• Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Assistant Professor, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, UAB

Board Certifications & Licensure

Dr. Koehler holds multiple surgical board certifications:

• American Board of Cosmetic Surgery – General Cosmetic Surgery
• American Board of Cosmetic Surgery – Facial Cosmetic Surgery
• American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery
• American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Licensure & credentials include:

• Alabama State Medical License
• Oklahoma State Medical License
• DEA Registration
• Alabama State Board General Anesthesia Permit
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

National Leadership & Service

Dr. Koehler plays a leadership role in shaping standards in cosmetic surgery nationwide. He has served numerous roles across several professional organizations and committees.

American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS):

• President-Elect
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Trustee
• Oral Board Examiner

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS):

• Chairman, Fellowship Training Committee
• Communications Committee Member

Hospital Leadership:

• Surgery Steering Committee Member, Thomas Hospital – Fairhope, Alabama

Academic Appointments & Teaching

Dr. Koehler has held academic appointments at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), including:

• Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery,
• Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
• Assistant Professor, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
• Admissions Committee, UAB Medical School
• Faculty Representative, Clinical Counsel, UAB Hospital

Dr. Koehler regularly lectures and serves as faculty at national and international cosmetic surgery meetings and cadaver workshops. His invited lectures have covered facelift surgery, rhinoplasty, liposuction, body contouring, Brazilian Butt Lift safety, breast surgery techniques and complication management.

Publications & Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Koehler has authored textbook chapters on rhinoplasty in Peterson’s Principles of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (2nd and 4th editions). His research has been published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Honors and Recognition

Dr. Koehler has received numerous academic and professional honors recognizing excellence in scholarship, leadership and contributions to cosmetic surgery:

Professional Recognition

• Peter Canalia Meritorious Service Award – For exceptional contributions to the specialty of cosmetic surgery
• Stellar Patient Experience Award Nominee at the MyFaceMyBody Global Aesthetic Award in Beverly Hills, California

Medical School Honors

• Academic Achievement Award in Medicine
• Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society – National honor society based on academic performance
• Magna Cum Laude – Doctor of Medicine Degree

Dental School Distinctions

• Alberta Dental Association Gold Medal – Highest academic standing (First in Class)
• Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity – Highest scholastic standing during dental training
• M.H. Garvin Scholarship in Dentistry
• Dr. W. Scott Hamilton Scholarship
• Louise McKinney Post-Secondary Scholarship
• Dr. R.R. McIntyre Memorial Scholarship
• Harry Ernest Bulyea Prize
• Dental Alumni Association Prize
• Fine Arts Dental Laboratory Prize
• Dr. James Zimmerman Scholarship
• Alexander Rutherford Scholarship

Hospital Affiliation

Dr. Koehler is currently on staff at Thomas Hospital Medical Center in Fairhope, Alabama and serves on the hospital’s Surgery Steering Committee.

A Commitment to Excellence in Cosmetic Surgery

Dr. James Koehler’s career reflects advanced surgical training, multiple board certifications, national leadership in cosmetic surgery, academic appointments and decades of clinical experience. From medical education to fellowship training to leadership roles within national boards, his professional path demonstrates a consistent commitment to excellence and advancement within the specialty.

At Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery, that experience translates into thoughtful, personalized consultations, individualized treatment planning and a patient-centered approach grounded in trust and precision. Dr. Koehler remains dedicated not only to achieving natural, refined surgical results, but also to providing a supportive and professional environment where patients feel confident in their decisions.