Dr. Zinaria Williams

Dr. Zinaria Williams is a board-certified and fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic and hair restoration surgeon joining the team at Well by Messer. She brings a combined 20 years of surgical experience in facial aesthetics, hair transplant surgery, and reconstruction of the face and scalp. She is also a clinically-trained herbalist who offers her patients a full spectrum of options — from holistic, plant-based therapies and platelet-rich plasma to surgical options. Dr. Williams is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, a published researcher, a national and international presenter, and a creative non-fiction writer whose work focuses on building humanity in medicine.

Academic Background

Fellowship: International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, Robin Unger, MD
Fellowship: Duke University Medical Center, Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Residency: Tufts University Medical Center, Ophthalmology
Medical School: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Undergraduate: Syracuse University

Professional Memberships

International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons
New York Facial Plastic Surgery Society
American Academy of Ozonotherapy
National Medical Association
Women in Ophthalmology
Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology

Board Certifications

Dr. Williams is board certified in:

Ophthalmology

Hospital Privileges

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology

Elmhurst Hospital Center, Queens, NY
Oculoplastic Surgeon, Department of Ophthalmology

Get to Know Dr. Zinaria Williams

Why Did You Become a Doctor?

I was ten years old, standing in a clinic with my mother, when I watched an elderly man be turned away because of an unpaid bill. He was dressed neatly in a collared shirt and pleated trousers, and he gripped the counter with quiet dignity as the receptionist repeated, louder each time, that the doctor could not see him. His chestnut brown skin matched mine, and his calm reminded me of my beloved Great Uncle Charlie. I waited for someone in that waiting room to intervene — a doctor to come out and say, don't worry about it this time. No one did. He released the counter, turned, and walked out into the cold spring wind, alone. I felt the injustice of it settle in my chest in a way I couldn't name at ten but have never forgotten. That was the moment I decided to become a doctor — one who helped people who couldn't afford treatment, who took the time to listen and understand, and who would do those things no matter how indifferent those around her behaved. That vision of who I would become carried me through college, medical school, and medical training. It still carries me. My commitment to serving underserved patients has taken me to the medical board of the Little Baby Face Foundation, humanitarian ophthalmology campaigns in Central America, and into communities where access to quality care is far from guaranteed. It shapes how I practice every day.

What Made You Focus on Oculofacial Plastic and Hair Restoration Surgery?

As the daughter of a sculptor, I grew up in an art gallery founded by my father in Central New York. This experience of being surrounded by the arts as a child finds expression in my clinical work as a oculofacial plastic surgeon.

After nearly two decades as an oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I was drawn to hair restoration by the profound way hair loss affects patients' confidence and identity. Following years of herbal medicine training, addressing hair allows for a holistic approach. I had the privilege of training directly under Dr. Robin Unger, one of the foremost experts in the field, which deepened my appreciation for the artistry and precision the work requires. My background in facial anatomy and reconstructive surgery gave me a strong foundation, and my training as an herbalist allowed me to expand the toolkit I offer patients beyond the surgical.

What Is Your Approach to Medicine?

I believe in evidence-based medicine delivered with genuine curiosity and an open mind. I was trained rigorously as a surgeon and scientist, and I take that foundation seriously. At the same time, I have pursued extensive training in herbal and restorative medicine because I believe the two approaches are complementary, not competing. What matters most is listening — really listening — to what the patient is experiencing, and using every tool available to help them.

My goal is to understand the whole patient, not just their face or scalp. Skin and hair are often reflections of what is happening within our bodies — inflammation, hormone imbalances, stress, nutritional deficiencies. So before recommending any treatment, I take time to understand a patient's medical history, lifestyle, and diet. From there, I offer a full spectrum of options — from plant-based and holistic therapies to platelet-rich plasma, pharmaceutical treatments, and surgical restoration and rejuvenation.

How Would You Define Patient Care?

Patient care begins with respect — for the patient's time, their experience, and their expertise about their own body. It means staying current with the literature, being honest about what we know and don't know, and maintaining a non-judgmental presence even when the conversation is difficult. I want every patient who walks through my door to feel heard and to leave with a clear, personalized plan.

Do You Do Any Philanthropic Work?

I have a longstanding commitment to providing expert care to underserved communities. Over the course of my career I have participated in several humanitarian medical trips to Central America, providing oculofacial plastic surgery services to patients without access to care. I currently serve on the Little Baby Face Foundation Medical Advisory Board. My writing — opinion pieces in U.S. News & World Report and literary essays — also reflects my advocacy for patients who suffer from healthcare inequity and for healthcare workers.

Publications

Williams Z. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty. In: The Duke Manual of Oculoplastic Surgery. Wolters Kluwer; 2020:51–56.
Woodward JA, Haggerty CJ, Stinnett SS, Williams ZY. Bimatoprost 0.03% Gel for Cosmetic Eyelash Growth. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2010;9(2):96–102.
Williams ZY, Oester AE, Stinnett SS, Morris C, Woodward JA. Cosmetic Surgery Survey of ASOPRS Members. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;26(2):95–9.
Price KM, Williams ZY, Woodward JA. Needle preference in patients receiving cosmetic botulinum toxin type A. Dermatologic Surgery. 2010;36(1):109-12.
Williams ZY, Richard M, Stinnett SS, Woodward JA. Eyelash Growth After Enucleation and Evisceration Surgery. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010 Jan-Feb;26(1):50-2.
Kaiser PK, Singer M, Tolentino M, Vitti, R, Erickson K, Saroj N, Berliner A, Chu K, Zhu X, Williams Liu Z, Clark WL. Long-term Safety and Visual Outcome of Intravitreal Aflibercept in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: VIEW 1 Extension Study. Ophthalmology Retina. 2017;1(4):304–13
Wykoff CC, Marcus DM, Midena E, Korobelnik JF, Saroj N, Gibson A, Vitti R, Berliner AJ, Williams Liu Z, Zeitz O, Metzig C, Schmelter T, Heier JS. Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection in Eyes With Substantial Vision Loss After Laser Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema: Subanalysis of the VISTA and VIVID Randomized Clinical Trials. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2017;135(2):107-114.
Prenner JL, Halperin LS, Rycroft C, Hogue S, Williams Liu Z, Seibert R. Disease Burden in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Findings From a Time-and-Motion Study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2015 Oct;160(4):725-31.

Medical Talks & Presentations

Safety and Efficacy of a Botanically Derived Hair Loss Treatment Regimen in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Single-Arm, Before and After Study. The 12th TRI International Conference on Applied Hair Science. June 2026
Safety and Efficacy of Botanically Derived Hair Growth Serum, Vitamins, and DHT Blocker in Androgenic Alopecia Patients. American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Longevity Fest. December 2025.
Special Considerations of Scarring Alopecia in Women of Color. ISHRS Female Hair Restoration and Challenges Webinar. May 2025.
Recreational Drug Use and Implications for Hair Restoration Surgery. ISHRS Emergencies & Complications Webinar. March 2024.
Williams Z, Calderon K, Nasr D, Josipovic P, Unger R. Variables Affecting the Efficacy of a PRP Protocol for Androgenetic Alopecia — a Retrospective Study. Poster Presentation. World Congress for Hair Research, Dallas, TX. April 2024.

Awards & Recognitions

New York Top Docs (2025-present)
Queens Arts Fund New Work Grant (2020)
Lifelong Education for the Ophthalmologist (LEO) Continuing Education Recognition Award (2017)
Rising Stars Forty Under Forty of Westchester (2013)
Prevent Blindness America / Fight for Sight Student Research Fellowship Grant (2001)
National Eye Institute ARVO Travel Fellowship Grant (2001)