Academic Path
Academic PathA native of California, Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Talei graduated from theUniversity ofCalifornia, Los Angeles(UCLA) with a degree in Physiological Sciences receiving both College andDepartmental Honors. While studying at the University of Menedez Pelayo in Spain,Dr. Talei worked for the Sisterhood of Blood Donorsand the Red Cross promotingblood donations in Andalucia, Spain.
He then received his Medical Degree at one of the nation’s top medical schools –University of California, San Diego School of Medicine(UCSD). Dr. Talei was nominated tothe Gold Humanism Honor Society after having donated immense amounts of timeand energy to the free clinic in San Diego along with other charitable foundations.
Dr. Talei then completed his residency training inHead & Neck Surgery atColumbiaUniversityandCornell UniversityMedical Centers,New York Presbyterian Hospital. There he worked with the Greats of Facial Plastic Surgery included his primarymentor Dr. Steven Pearlman. He then served as Chief in his residency at Columbiaand Cornell and served as a fellow atMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centeralso inNew York City.
Following his residency training, Dr. Talei becameone of the only surgeons in thecountry to complete two separate fellowships in Facial Plastic & ReconstructiveSurgery. First he completed one of the most revered and prestigious fellowships inthe country at theNew York Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgerywith Dr.Andrew Jacono. Simultaneously he offered his skillsand training while serving asvoluntary staff and teacher for the Resident Head &Neck Surgeons of theAlbertEinstein School of Medicine. Dr. Talei then furthered his training with Dr. MiltonWaner at theVascular Birthmark Institute of New York, a part of Lenox Hill andManhattan Ear, Eyes and Throat Hospitals. There he treated the most rare anddevastating Vascular Birthmarks & Congenital Anomalies while refining histechniques in Pediatric Facial Plastic Surgery.Dr. Talei is dual board certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Integrated fully into the Beverly Hills community, Dr. Talei is a member of theBeverly Hills Health & Wellness Committee. He is also on staff atUCLA Ronald Regan Medical Center, Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,andChildren’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
Dr. Talei is also an avid author and speaker. He has been invited to speak at nationalmeetings and has contributed significantly to medical literature with his researchand publications in medical journals and textbooks. His publications onAdvanced Face and Neck LiftingTechniques andRevision Rhinoplastyare used to teach doctors nationwide. As a sub-specialist in Deep Plane Facial Rejuvenation & Facelifting and Minimally Invasive Rhinoplasty, Dr. Talei frequently accommodates visiting surgeons in order to teach them more advanced surgical techniques.He is most well known for his rapid healing times, very natural, long-lasting results and impeccable facial aesthetic. Dr. Talei has a dedicated expertise to the Face and has been featured onFox,NBC, andInside Editionamongst a host of other editorials.
Humanitarian Pursuits
Dr. Talei’s truest passion is connecting with and helping others. He considershimself one of the luckiest people in the world asmuch of the time he is able to helpothers with his medical and surgical skills, and enjoys operating more than anythingelse. Several times a year, he travels on various surgical missions to less fortunatecountries in order to treat those patients who can’t receive the help they need. Dr.Talei has volunteered withOperation Smile,HUGS(Help Give Us Smiles), andHealing the Childrenon Cleft Lip & Palate and Microtia missions in Honduras,Ecuador, Vietnam, and Colombia.
Another integral part of his daily life is helpingothers by fundraising. In order tosupport theBrad Kaminsky foundation, Dr. Talei setup a“Heroes for Hope Race”inManhattan and Brooklyn, raising money for Brain Cancer Research. Later heestablished another charity with his brother – theDrive AgainstDomestic Violence. This is a car and driver based organization raising funds andawareness for two organization he reveres and workswith intimately – theNationalCoalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)and theFace-to-Face SurgeryProgramof the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery. The NCADV has noted that Dr. Talei has single-handedly raised more funds and awareness for the organization than any surgeon in their history. Dr. Taleifurthered his efforts and outreach by offering supporters and abuse victimscomplementary Botox treatments, reconstructive andcosmetic in order to raisemore money and awareness for the two organizations.He even organized a cross-country drive from New York to Miami to Los Angelesdriving through 23 States in order to spread awareness through various events.
Lifelong Interests
Although Dr. Talei loves the artistry and complexities of facial plastic surgery morethan any other activity, he has several other vocations as well. From a young age, Dr.Talei excelled as a piano teacher and composer. Hewould teach children inunderserved communities free of charge. At the sametime, he served as a youthmentor with COPE (Community Outreach for Preventionand Education) in Veniceand East Los Angeles and with the Big Brothers of UCLA.
Constantly in the pursuit of artistic and technicalskills, Dr. Talei frequently hasalways enjoyed endeavors that involve working withhis hands. From childhood hehas been involved in upholstering, sewing of Victorian lampshades, carpentry and stonesculpting. He is also an avid cook with an ever-growing list of recipes.
Following his other passions, Dr Talei volunteeredfor the National Ski Patrol in BigBear, CA. Simultaneously he volunteered as an EMTdriving an ambulance as well. Beyond this, his affinity for automobiles led him to pursue offshore boat and auto racing sincehe was a teenager.
