The residency training program in plastic surgery is designed to give residents diverse experience in plastic surgery and its subspeciality areas. Two positions per year are filled in an integrated program approved by the Residency Review Committee which involves matching into the program during the senior year of medical school. Time is concentrated on trauma and general plastic surgical care. Residents spend one to two weeks in the microsurgical laboratory, honing techniques to participate in clinical microsurgical procedures. Three months are spent in Memorial Medical Center's 10-bed Regional Burn Center, learning acute burn care and rehabilitation.
Residents also have three months to concentrate on research.
In the fifth year, responsibility of residents is increased for patients in complex operative procedures. As chief resident in the sixth year, increased responsibilities include supervision of the residents and medical students as well as call schedules and coordinating educational conferences. Although strong in all areas of plastic surgery, the residency has received notice for microsurgery, hand reconstructive, and trauma surgery. Both hospital operating rooms have the latest microscopes and equipment. Residents are strongly encouraged to perform clinical and basic research as part of their educational experience.