Background & Specialties

Board Certification

Dr. Fairbanks is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. 

Professional Background

Dr. Grant R. Fairbanks received his Medical Degree from the University of Utah. He completed training as a General Surgeon at the University of Maryland, and subsequently completed extensive Plastic Surgery specialty training at the University of Michigan. He served a tour of duty as Plastic Surgeon on the U.S. Hospital Ship HOPE in Tunis, Tunisia on the North African coast. He served as Chairman of Plastic Surgery at the University of Cincinnati before returning to Utah to enter private practice. Dr. Fairbanks maintains a Clinical Professorship in Plastic Surgery at the University of Utah where he participates in the teaching program of surgeons in training. 

Teaching Appointments

Dr. Fairbanks is an Adjunct Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Hobbies and Interests

Dr. Fairbanks combines Art with Medicine in the form of Plastic Surgery. He believes that Plastic Surgery is the finest of the Fine Arts. Dr. Fairbanks comes from an artistic background by both heritage and education. His father, Avard T. Fairbanks, Ph.D., was an internationally renowned sculptor. Throughout his youth Dr. Fairbanks worked in his father's studios, learning the sculpture profession and appreciation of classical sculptural beauty. His own talents were enhanced by studies with many of Utah's most noted artists. From his own artistic accomplishments, the best known is his sculptural recreation of the Eagle for Salt Lake City's famed Eagle Gate. He also created a bronze portrait of Louis P. Gebhardt, M.D., Professor of Microbiology, which is located in the University of Utah Medical Library. The large relief of the Great Seal of the State of Utah behind the Utah Governor's desk is another of his artistic accomplishments. He created the Medal of Honor for the William C. Grabb, M.D. Memorial Lectureship at the University of Michigan. He has painted still life, landscapes, and done medical illustrations; he is an excellent painter of the human figure.