Curriculum

What you’ll learn

Our Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Program is made up of two foundation years and three years of specialized plastic surgery study. As a resident, you’ll thrive in our collegial environment with its dedicated faculty members—a factor that’s particularly important because our program is preceptor-based. Typically, one resident will work with two teachers for three blocks, in addition to attending clinics and OR with them.

Foundation years

During your foundation years, you’ll complete rotations in:

  • plastic surgery
  • general surgery
  • vascular surgery
  • neurosurgery
  • orthopedic surgery
  • otolaryngology
  • emergency medicine
  • dermatology
  • oral surgery
  • infectious diseases

Your PGY1 and PGY2 years will feature a surgical foundations course and exam, and during PGY2, you’ll begin to focus by completing selective rotations that are tailored to your personal interests and learning objectives.

PGY3-5

During PGY3-5, you'll complete rotations in:

  • general plastic surgery
  • pediatric
  • microsurgery
  • craniofacial
  • head and neck cancer
  • hand
  • burns and cold injury
  • breast
  • craniomaxillo facial

Depending on your technical skills and experience, you’ll either work as first assistant or co-surgeon for all procedures. As a senior resident, you’ll spend six blocks as chief resident.

Academic activities

In addition to assigned rotations, all residents participate in the following academic activities:

  • research training
  • weekly plastic surgery seminar
  • weekly divisional rounds
  • monthly journal club
  • external elective rotations in plastic surgery
  • community plastic surgery elective

The program is monitored by the Plastic Surgery Residency Program Committee, which is made up of staff and residents.

Sharing smiles overseas

As a senior resident, you can take advantage of opportunities to work overseas with organizations like Operation Smile, which sends medical volunteers across the world to treat children with cleft lip, cleft palates and other facial deformities. Past Operation Smile missions have included:

  • Mexico
  • Senegal
  • Ethiopia
  • Kenya
  • Ecuador
  • Vietnam
  • Bolivia
  • Honduras
  • Peru
  • India
  • Paraguay