Joseph T. Cruise, MD, a plastic surgeon and founder of Cruise Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, California, has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking his second consecutive year receiving this prestigious designation. Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are chosen each year as Castle Connolly Top Doctors for their specialties in their regions.
Dr. Cruise, who has over 20 years of experience, specializes in facial rejuvenation and aesthetic contouring of the face and body. He is internationally recognized for his work in treating gynecomastia (male breast reduction), having assisted thousands of patients in achieving natural chest contours. His practice offers a range of procedures including deep plane facelift, gynecomastia surgery, rhinoplasty, complete muscle coverage breast augmentation, breast lifts, tummy tucks, nipple repositioning, and fat transfer.
"It is an honor to be recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, particularly because the selection is based on nominations from other physicians," says Dr. Cruise. "My focus has always been on thoughtful, individualized care and achieving natural-looking results that help patients feel confident while preserving their unique features."
Dr. Cruise earned his medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, followed by extensive training in general surgery, hand surgery, microvascular surgery, and a specialized residency in plastic surgery. He developed the Cruise Classification System for gynecomastia and is currently authoring a book on facial rejuvenation and modern facelift techniques. He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Rhinoplasty Society.
The Castle Connolly Top Doctors list is published at castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications. Nominations are open to all board-certified MDs, DOs, and DPMs, and the selection process is physician-led, considering medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected.
This recognition underscores Dr. Cruise's commitment to high-quality surgical intervention and patient-centered care, further solidifying his reputation as a leader in plastic surgery.
