Rotation Information

The PGY1 resident will be introduced to the basic clinical principles of plastic and reconstructive surgery in all of its breadth. This knowledge will be gained through the caring of patients on the inpatient floors, the operating room experience, didactic/teaching sessions (Grand Rounds, e.g.), as well as team rounds with the senior residents and faculty. An emphasis on the care of the surgical patient will be made.

Rotations include: General Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vascular, Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Night Float, Transplant, Anesthesia and Dermatology

The PGY2 resident will build upon those basic clinical principles of plastic and reconstructive surgery introduced in the PGY1 year. This knowledge will be gained through the caring of patients on the inpatient floors, the operating room experience, didactic/teaching sessions (Grand Rounds, e.g.), as well as team rounds with the senior residents and faculty. An emphasis on the care of the surgical patient will continue but the PGY2 will be expected to increase their presence in the operating room. In the operating room, the PGY2 will be expected to develop strong technical skills and to begin to master surgical planning through reading and other resources.

Rotations include: Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Trauma, Vascular, Orthopedic Oncology, Neurosurgery, Burn Unit, Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Oncology, General Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Acute Care Surgery

The PGY3 year culminates in the termination of general surgery rotations. The PGY3 resident is therefore expected to master the inpatient management of complex patients while increasing their depth of knowledge and operative skills in regards to plastic surgery.

Rotations include: General Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Craniofacial Surgery, Lower Extremity and General Reconstruction, Breast Reconstruction

The PGY4 year marks the beginning of full‐time plastic surgery rotations. The resident is expected to summate and apply pertinent principles learned from the general surgery rotations (especially inpatient care) and apply to the care of the plastic surgery patient. The PGY4 resident is therefore expected to master the inpatient management of the general plastic reconstructive surgery patient, while gaining an understanding in the singular and multidisciplinary management of the subspecialty patient (microsurgery, hand, craniofacial, e.g.). The PGY4 is also introduced to care of the cosmetic surgery patient through the aesthetic surgery rotation. Towards the end of the PGY4 year, one is expected to have some understanding of one’s own career interests, especially if that interest is in a subspecialty such as hand surgery.

Rotations include: Breast Reconstruction, Lower Extremity and General Reconstruction, Craniofacial Surgery, County PRS, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthopedic Hand Surgery

The PGY5 goals and objectives include building technical skills learned (e.g., the emerging ability to perform microvascular anastomoses with assistance, performing craniofacial osteotomies independently, and performing basic maxillofacial fracture repairs independently). The PGY5 resident should gain the ability to formulate surgical options for the reconstructive surgery patient, and clearly communicate those options to faculty with full knowledge of the risks and benefits associated with each option. Furthermore, the PGY5 is expected to enlarge their academic pursuits through presentations and to be able to formulate a relevant hypothesis and execute a research plan to prove/disprove the research question at hand. The PGY5 is also introduced to responsible and independent care of the cosmetic surgery patient through the Resident Cosmetic Clinic. Towards the end of the year, the PGY5 resident is expected to have a more definitive understanding of his/her own career trajectory, especially if that interest is in a subspecialty (e.g., hand and microsurgery fellowship applications complete and craniofacial fellowship options mapped).

Rotations include: Craniofacial Surgery, Orthopedic Hand Surgery, ENT, Oculoplastic, Aesthetic Surgery, Breast Reconstruction, Lower Extremity and General Reconstruction

The PGY6 resident (“Chief Resident”) should embody the culmination of skills, education, and professionalism acquired in the previous years. Not only is the resident expected to function independently in several areas, but is expected to oversee the training and education of those more junior to him/her through both clinical exposure (OR teaching/rounding on wards) but also didactically. Specifically, the Chief Resident is responsible for the didactic conference schedule (see below). The Chief Resident is expected to conduct him/herself in a manner that is exemplary in the realms of education, patient care, time management and interpersonal communication reflective of a junior faculty member. Furthermore, the PGY6 is expected to continue to enlarge their academic pursuits through presentations/publications and to independently formulate plans of care of the reconstructive and cosmetic surgery patient. In the operating room, the PGY6 resident should display excellence in technical skills, use of instruments and assistants to the best of their ability.

Rotations include: Lower Extremity and General Reconstruction, Craniofacial Surgery, Breast Reconstruction, Elective, Aesthetic Surgery