Table of Contents
- Excellence Is a Team Sport: Honoring Drs. Emery, Retana & Shim, and the CCOMFS Legacy
- What 30 Years of Recognition Really Means
- Dr. Robert Emery: Founder, Innovator, and a Patient-First Philosophy
- Dr. Retana: Dual Board Certification and International Innovation
- Dr. Shim: Patient-Centered Precision and Technical Excellence
- The Team Behind the Surgeons
- One Standard Across Three Decades
- Why This Matters for Washington, DC, Patients
- Three Decades Forward
Excellence Is a Team Sport: Honoring Drs. Emery, Retana & Shim, and the CCOMFS Legacy
Thirty years. That’s three decades of trust, thousands of patients, and an unwavering commitment to one standard of excellence. At Capital Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we’re honored to celebrate 30 consecutive years of recognition by Washingtonian Magazine as Top Doctors: a distinction that reflects not just the skill of our surgeons, but the dedication of every single person who walks through our doors each day.
This year brings even more reason to celebrate. Dr. Armando Retana and Dr. Chris Shim have both been recognized among Washingtonian’s Top Doctors for 2026, joining Dr. Robert Emery in this prestigious honor. Nurse Practitioner Rona Trinidad-Retana also shares in this recognition as a valued provider of dermal and aesthetic enhancements, including BOTOX Cosmetic®, fillers, and microneedling. But here’s what we want Washington, DC, patients to understand: These accolades don’t belong to three names on a wall. They belong to an entire team.
What 30 Years of Recognition Really Means
Some practices mistakenly believe that recognition comes from marketing or reputation alone. Our doctors are quick to correct this misconception. Consistent recognition over three decades stems from something much deeper: a relentless focus on precision, compassion, and consistency in every procedure, every consultation, and every follow-up call.
Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Doctors list is peer-reviewed, meaning fellow doctors across the region vote for the specialists they trust most. When that recognition spans 30 years, it signals something rare: sustained excellence that adapts to advancing techniques while maintaining the fundamental values that earned trust in the first place.
For our patients, this means walking into an environment where cutting-edge surgical techniques meet the kind of personalized care that makes you feel like family. It’s the combination that matters—and it’s why men and women throughout the DC metro area have trusted us with everything from dental implants to complex facial reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Robert Emery: Founder, Innovator, and a Patient-First Philosophy
With 37+ years of experience and as the founder of Capital Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Robert Emery has helped define what modern oral and maxillofacial surgery can look like for Washington, DC, patients: advanced, precise, and always centered on trust.
In reality, great outcomes aren’t just about technical skill—they’re about confidence in the plan. Dr. Emery is widely known as a pioneer in image-guided surgery, including X-Guide technology, which helps our team plan and place dental implants with a higher level of predictability and control.
But what patients often remember most is how he approaches care. Dr. Emery’s philosophy is simple and direct: “The greatest measure of success is a patient who trusts you completely.” That mindset shows up in the details: clear explanations, thoughtful decision making, and a steady focus on safety and comfort from consultation through recovery.
Dr. Retana: Dual Board Certification and International Innovation
Dr. Armando Retana brings a unique perspective to oral and maxillofacial surgery: He’s board certified in both cosmetic surgery and oral/maxillofacial surgery, a rare combination that informs his approach to facial aesthetics and functional reconstruction. With over 1,200 cosmetic procedures and thousands of maxillofacial surgeries performed throughout his career, Dr. Retana understands how form and function work together.
His expertise extends beyond the operating room. Dr. Retana serves as an international lecturer and innovator in surgical techniques, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in facial surgery. But patients shouldn’t assume this makes him distant or overly academic: quite the opposite. His commitment to being a “lifelong student of his craft” means he’s always exploring better ways to achieve natural results with less downtime and greater precision.
What truly sets Dr. Retana apart is how he applies facial reconstructive expertise to his broader surgical practice. Whether performing orthognathic surgery to correct jaw alignment or addressing complex facial trauma, he approaches each case with the same meticulous attention to detail that defines his cosmetic work.
Dr. Shim: Patient-Centered Precision and Technical Excellence
Dr. Chris Shim, trained at the prestigious University of North Carolina program, specializes in orthognathic surgery, facial trauma, dental implants, and dentoalveolar surgery. His patients frequently mention his calm demeanor and ability to explain complex procedures in ways that actually make sense: a skill that proves just as valuable as his technical expertise.
Dr. Shim’s approach centers on understanding each patient’s unique concerns and goals before recommending treatment. He has earned recognition not just for surgical outcomes, but also for the thoroughness of his consultations and his responsiveness throughout the treatment journey. Patients appreciate that he takes time to answer questions, address anxieties, and ensure they feel genuinely heard.
His advanced training in reconstructive procedures means he can handle everything from straightforward wisdom teeth extractions to complex jaw reconstruction following trauma. This breadth of capability ensures our patients receive comprehensive care within a single, coordinated practice: no need to seek multiple specialists across different locations.
The Team Behind the Surgeons
Here’s what many patients don’t immediately see: Exceptional surgical outcomes require exceptional support. Our clinical team, including nurse practitioners, surgical assistants, anesthesia providers, and front desk coordinators, operates with the same commitment to precision and compassion that defines our surgical approach.
Nurse practitioner Rona Trinidad-Retana exemplifies this team-first mentality. Patients consistently praise her compassionate care, clinical knowledge, and genuine investment in their recovery. In addition to supporting patients from consultation through post-operative follow-up, she also brings focused expertise in dermal and esthetic enhancements such as BOTOX Cosmetic®, fillers, microneedling, and related non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments. This added dimension of care helps patients feel genuinely cared for rather than processed through a system.
Our surgical assistants prepare each operating room with meticulous attention to protocol, ensuring sterile environments and proper instrumentation for every case. Our coordinators handle insurance questions, scheduling complexities, and patient concerns with patience and expertise. Our recovery team monitors post-operative progress with vigilant care.
This collaborative structure isn’t accidental: It’s intentional. Dr. Emery, Dr. Retana, and Dr. Shim have built a culture where every team member understands their role in delivering exceptional outcomes. After all, a surgeon’s skill matters little if pre-operative preparation falls short, if patient education lacks clarity, or if post-operative support proves inadequate.
One Standard Across Three Decades
The phrase “One Standard” captures our core philosophy. Whether a patient comes to us for a dental implant consultation or complex facial reconstruction, they receive the same level of expertise, attention, and care. No procedures are treated as routine. No patients are made to feel their concerns don’t matter.
This consistency extends to our clinical protocols, our communication standards, and our commitment to staying current with advancing techniques. Our doctors regularly attend continuing education conferences, participate in professional organizations, and contribute to the broader oral and maxillofacial surgery community through teaching and research.
But maintaining one standard over 30 years requires more than clinical excellence: It demands business practices that support quality care. We’ve invested in advanced imaging technology, modern surgical facilities, and comprehensive staff training. We’ve cultivated relationships with referring physicians who trust our judgment and value our collaborative approach.
Most importantly, we’ve resisted the pressure to prioritize volume over quality. Our practice deliberately maintains scheduling that allows adequate time for thorough consultations, unhurried procedures, and attentive follow-up care.
Why This Matters for Washington, DC, Patients
Patients should understand that choosing an oral and maxillofacial surgeon involves more than comparing credentials or reading online reviews. It requires finding a practice where expertise meets genuine care, where advanced techniques combine with personalized attention, and where the entire team shares a commitment to your outcomes.
Thirty years of Washingtonian recognition provides reassurance that you’re choosing a practice with proven, sustained excellence. The fact that three of our surgeons earned this distinction in 2026 demonstrates the depth of expertise across our entire surgical team. But what really matters is what happens when you walk through our doors: the warmth of our greeting, the thoroughness of your consultation, the precision of your procedure, and the attentiveness of your follow-up care.
Our patients frequently tell us they chose CCOMFS because they wanted surgeons who stay current with advancing techniques without chasing every trend, who prioritize natural results over dramatic transformations, and who treat every case with the same dedication regardless of complexity. They mention feeling heard during consultations, confident in their surgical plans, and supported throughout recovery.
Three Decades Forward
As we celebrate 30 years of recognition, we’re also looking ahead. Oral and maxillofacial surgery continues evolving with innovations in imaging, surgical techniques, and patient care protocols. Our commitment remains unchanged: Adapt and advance while maintaining the fundamental values of precision, compassion, and consistency that earned trust three decades ago.
Dr. Emery, Dr. Retana, Dr. Shim, and our entire team thank the Washington, DC, community for 30 years of trust. We thank our referring physicians for their confidence. We thank our patients for allowing us to be part of their care journey. And we thank each team member whose dedication makes excellence possible every single day.
Because in the end, that’s what “Excellence Is a Team Sport” really means: It takes everyone working together, holding each other to the highest standards, and never forgetting that behind every procedure is a person who deserves our very best.
If you’re considering oral surgery, facial reconstruction, or dental implants, we invite you to experience the CCOMFS difference. Learn more about our practice and discover why Washington, DC, has trusted us for three decades. Reach out by calling (202) 386-7100 or by filling out our online contact form.