How Dr. Steffen practices.
The short answer: like he'd want his own family to be treated. He listens first, tailors every plan, and stays with you long after surgery. The particulars below — training, certifications, awards — are there to give you confidence in the hands doing the work. But the practice itself is built around three principles.
Listens first
Every consultation starts with the same question: what do you want? Not what a template wants, not what Instagram wants. Your goals, your concerns, your non-negotiables. Dr. Steffen takes the time to understand all of it before recommending anything.
Tailors every plan
There is no "standard" tummy tuck or facelift in this practice. Your anatomy, your previous surgeries, your timeline, your lifestyle — the plan is built from those, not borrowed from the last patient. You'll leave your consultation with a specific, written plan you had a hand in shaping.
Stays with you long after surgery
Your six-week check isn't the end. Dr. Steffen personally sees patients at every follow-up and is still the point of contact years later. Scar management, revisions, maintenance — all from the surgeon who did the original work.
Why credentials matter.
"Board certified" doesn't mean the same thing everywhere. Dr. Steffen is double board certified — by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. That means the rigorous training, examination, and ongoing review required by both specialties. It's a meaningful signal for your safety, and it's only one part of the picture. Here's the rest.
Training, practice, and research.
Dr. Caleb M. Steffen is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a member of the American Association for Hand Surgery.
He completed his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, trained in general surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and finished his plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship as chief resident at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. His research has appeared in Annals of Plastic Surgery, the Journal of Surgical Education, the Journal of Vascular Surgery, and Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.
Today, Dr. Steffen is Director of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery at Jefferson City Medical Group, where he also serves as Division Chair of the Department of Surgery, a member of the Board of Directors, and a partner and shareholder of the group. In 2019 he pioneered the formation of JCMG Aesthetics — now Steffen Plastic Surgery & Med Spa — advancing aesthetic medicine and surgery in the community. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stephens College in Columbia.
Dr. Steffen was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society in 2015, a recognition reserved for individuals who exemplify humanistic patient care. He has received multiple resident teaching awards, the 2023 Teacher of the Year award at the KCU College of Medicine / SSM Health Jefferson City Campus, and the SSM Health Values in Action Award. He also serves as President of the School Board at River Oak Christian Academy.
Dr. Steffen hosts Coast 2 Coast Plastic Surgery, a podcast on YouTube where he sits down with plastic surgeons across the country to discuss technique, philosophy, and the art of the operation. Subscribe at @calebsteffenmd.
Board certification & licensure
- American Board of Plastic Surgery — certification #113047 (valid through 2029)
- American Board of Surgery — certification #060607 (valid through 2026)
- Missouri Board of Healing Arts — #2018006630
Clinical career
- Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery — Stephens College, Columbia MO (July 2025 – Present)
- Board of Directors — Jefferson City Medical Group (April 2023 – Present)
- Division Chair, Department of Surgery — Jefferson City Medical Group (March 2022 – Present)
- Director — Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery — Jefferson City Medical Group (July 2019 – Present)
- Partner & Shareholder — Jefferson City Medical Group (July 2019 – Present)
Education & training
- Chief Resident, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery — University of Tennessee College of Medicine (2017 – 2018)
- Resident, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery — University of Tennessee College of Medicine (2015 – 2017)
- Chief Resident, General Surgery — University of Nebraska Medical Center (2014 – 2015)
- Resident, General Surgery — University of Nebraska Medical Center (2010 – 2014)
- Doctor of Medicine — University of Missouri School of Medicine (2010)
- B.S., Summa Cum Laude — Evangel University, Springfield, MO (2006)
Awards & honors
- 2023 Teacher of the Year — KCU College of Medicine, SSM Health Jefferson City Campus
- 2023 Elected President, River Oak Christian Academy School Board
- 2019 Pioneered formation of JCMG Aesthetics (now Steffen Plastic Surgery & Med Spa)
- 2019 Values in Action Award — SSM Health St Mary's Hospital
- 2017 First Place, Glancy Competition — Southeastern Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons
- 2015 Inducted — Gold Humanism Honor Society
- 2015 Senior ABSITE Award — University of Nebraska Medical Center
Selected publications
- Steffen CM, Day KM, Gilson AJ, Zoog ES, Brzezienski MA. "Vertical Inset of Latissimus Dorsi Flap Improves Reconstruction Aesthetics By Reducing Scar Burden in The Social Breast." Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2018.
- Griner D, Steffen CM, Day KM, Brzezienski MA. "Barbed Ribbon Device for Progressive Tension Closure Reduces Seroma After Breast Reconstruction." Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2017.
- Day KM, Zoog ES, Kluemper CT, Scott JK, Steffen CM, et al. "Progressive Surgical Autonomy Observed in a Hand Surgery Resident Clinic Model." Journal of Surgical Education. 2018.
- Steffen CM, Hawkes PJ, McTaggart JN, Longo GM. "Aortic endografting failure due to deviation from device instructions for use." Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2016 (Cover Article).
- Hyde B, Steffen CM, Miller JJ. "Fistula Rate after Primary Repair of Cleft Palate." Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery. 2014.
Professional societies
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Association for Hand Surgery
- American Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Candidate)
- Missouri State Medical Association
- Gold Humanism Honor Society
- American Medical Association
Affiliations
Physician in Good Standing with SSM Health, MU CRMC, and Jefferson City Medical Group since July 2018. Dr. Steffen's practice is affiliated with Jefferson City Medical Group.