Joseph T. Cruise, MD, a plastic surgeon and founder of Cruise Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA, has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking his second year receiving this prestigious designation. Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are chosen annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors for their specialties in their regions. The selection process relies on nominations from peer physicians, highlighting Dr. Cruise's reputation among colleagues.
Dr. Cruise has over 20 years of experience and focuses on cosmetic surgery to enhance patients' quality of life. He specializes in facial rejuvenation and aesthetic contouring of the face and body, and is internationally recognized for his work in treating gynecomastia (male breast reduction). His practice offers a range of procedures including deep plane facelift, rhinoplasty, complete muscle coverage breast augmentation, breast lifts, tummy tucks, nipple repositioning, and fat transfer.
Within the Newport Beach facility, Dr. Cruise oversees a highly trained team dedicated to the patient experience. The practice integrates advanced technologies such as 3D computer imaging to assist in surgical planning and demonstrate physical possibilities and limitations of specific procedures to patients. Dr. Cruise earned his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed extensive training in general surgery, hand surgery, microvascular surgery, and a specialized residency in plastic surgery.
Beyond his surgical practice, Dr. Cruise has contributed to medical literature and classification. 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. Top Doctors are nominated by peer physicians and selected by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team.
Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at castleconnolly.com and in partner publications. Nominations are open to board-certified MDs, DOs, and DPMs, and the team chooses honorees based on criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.
