About Elmé
Firstly, let me welcome you! We know that you have choices and that your time is precious, so we are honored that you have chosen to spend a little of it with us. As with all that we do, we aim to provide the highest quality and in so doing, deliver incomparable value. Fundamentally, our current offering is a service- we offer Oculofacial Plastic Surgery, a highly sub-specialized form of plastic surgery of the face. Perhaps it’s the first time “Oculofacial Plastic Surgery,” has crossed your path and that is not surprising. There are only about 30 trained each year in the United States. That said, to understand Elmé, its purpose and philosophy and its intentional design requires a little more time. With your permission, please let me tell you the story.
Although Elmé was created in Western New York in the beginning of 2025, its legacy extends back to 1897 in East Aurora, New York with the establishment of Roycroft and with it, the American Arts and Crafts Movement. Roycroft and the American Arts and Crafts movement was a direct response to the industrialization of manufacturing and its dehumanizing impact. Incredible scales of production became possible as did increasing accessibility of many goods. However, the work had changed. The relationship between the maker and the good changed. The relationship between the maker and client changed. Instead of the cobbler meeting the client, understanding their needs, sourcing the materials, making the shoe and ultimately presenting the shoe to the client and being rewarded with payment, the cobbler moved to the assembly line. And for six days, some 60 hours per week, the cobbler would apply a single nail into the sole’s corner of a thousand pair of shoes.
The Arts and Crafts Movement recognized the cost of the industrialization to both the maker and the client. The work was stripped of satisfaction and the good stripped of quality. The Arts and Crafts Movement knew that the craftsman and the client were so much more than just a maker and a buyer. Rather, they are husbands and wives, wins and losses, hopes and dreams… so much more. The Arts and Crafts Movement contends that work done by human hands is endowed with special properties and thus extraordinary value- the value of the individual. Today, health care is undergoing industrialization - you might have noticed. While Roycroft was an offering in response to the industrialization of manufacturing, Elmé is our offering in response to the industrialization of medicine.
Elmé is about restoring the humanity to patient care. To that end, our practice is designed naturally, around people. It has been carefully created to engage the talents of our people, to leverage people-centric technology and to collaborate with similarly minded people who are committed to providing the highest quality experiences, experiences that transcend the ordinary leaving you, feeling better. This is for you the individual- you matter, and we are thrilled to introduce you to Elmé. Transcending…because of you.
Sincerely, MG
About
Mithra Gonzalez
For the first years of life, I grew up on a farm along the red dirt roads of rural Alabama. We then moved to the coastal community of Hampton Roads, Virginia. Although a small town, the strong presence of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine bases as well as NASA made for childhood filled with friends from all over the world. Additionally, given the rich tradition of military service in my family, we felt right at home. I went to undergrad in Virginia and then moved to Iowa for medical school. Again, given the other long tradition in my family, namely farming, it also felt like home. It was at Iowa that I met a dear mentor, Dr. Mina Chung from the University of Rochester who introduced me to Western New York, and this led to a residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester. Within months of starting my residency, I met my professional love, Oculofacial Plastic Surgery. I went on to complete a 2-year ASOPRS Oculofacial Plastic and Orbital Surgery fellowship in Denver at the University of Colorado under the guidance of Dr. Vikram Durairaj.
In 2012 I returned to the University of Rochester to establish the Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Orbital Surgery. In so doing, we created the premier oculofacial plastic practice in Western New York. For more than a decade, we have been the “go-to,” oculofacial plastic service helping thousands upon thousands of people annually through thoughtful care and the performance of thousands of surgeries. At the University of Rochester, I held appointments in Ophthalmology, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Otolaryngology and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Over this academic career, I have trained over 100 residents and international fellows, written multiple book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles and lectured all over the world.
However, over that decade, much changed in healthcare- change that I found inconsistent with my professional and personal compass. I was expected to see some forty-five patients in a clinical session lasting between eight AM and noon- sessions providing care to sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives. During those pressurized hours, we would rush to treat cancer and trauma, cosmetic and congenital conditions and frankly, it didn’t feel right. But what to do?
With my wife’s blessing, we set out to creatively solve the problem. Elmé is our solution. By questioning the assumptions and building from scratch, we have created a practice that heavily invests in you! Now, in the year 2025, we are thrilled to provide a level of service excellence that matches our longstanding surgical excellence. Taken together, we are proud to offer the patient care experience we all deserve.
About
Lauren Russi
As a Rochester native, family and friends have always been at the heart of my life. Growing up with a visually impaired family member deeply shaped my perspective, instilling in me the importance of helping others - a value that has guided me throughout life. It became clear early on that my purpose is rooted in helping people.
I graduated from RIT in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science. While I initially pursued a career in sales, envisioning a future in medical device or pharmaceutical sales, I soon realized that this path did not fulfill my passion for making a meaningful impact on others' lives. This realization led me back to healthcare, where I discovered the transformative field of oculofacial plastics.
Although new to this specialty at the time, I embraced the opportunity to learn and grow, utilizing every resource available to deepen my understanding. What I find most rewarding about this field is its unique ability to enhance both appearance and overall well-being, a combination that truly resonates with my desire to serve others.
Today, I am honored to welcome you to Elmé. Thank you for placing your trust in us and allowing us to be a part of your journey. We are so happy to have you here and look forward to providing you with exceptional care.
We are an inspiring publication of insights, wonders and delights. Unlike so much of the attention-snaring, hyper-scolling noise of today, we offer thoughtful treats that nourish the soul and satisfy the mind.
By Percival S. Thompson
We want to ensure you feel informed and empowered every step of the way. Before your procedure, we kindly ask that you take a moment to review the following documents. This is especially important if you are paying for your care out of pocket, as these documents will help you understand your rights and avoid any unexpected medical bills.
Lastly, we have engaged many of the area’s insurance carriers and continue to grow the number of insurance plans we accept. Please contact us directly for the most up to date list of accepted insurances.
Because of YOU
Elmé is created for you.
We know that you are so much more than just a patient. We not only acknowledge this but celebrate it. We strive to show you just how special you are and how much you mean! This philosophy imbues all that we do- both in the aesthetics and reconstructive enterprise. Speaking of aesthetics, ours is classical. We are not following trends but believe in timeless style. We take inspiration from across the globe caring for individuals who want to look as good as they feel. To us, beauty is a wonderous but impermanent state of exquisite function and compelling attraction.
We invite you. We welcome you. Transcending…because of you.