Grow and develop skills as a Plastic Surgeon
The Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery resident will spend more than 16 months on the plastic surgery service during each of the first two years and six months during the third year. Off-service rotations consist of orthopedic hand surgery, ENT head and neck surgery, OMFS, Pediatrics Craniofacial, Cleft Lip and Palate and Pediatric Plastic Surgery Rotation, MOHS surgery. Residents' technical ability will be developed through an evolving curriculum of anatomical dissections, microsurgical training and hands on experience with surgical procedures. This evolving curriculum aims to equip residents with the knowledge and skills to perform a wide variety of plastic and reconstructive surgeries. As a graduate of our curriculum, you will have thorough knowledge of plastic surgery, provide the highest quality of care to plastic surgery patients and families, and have the technical skills and confidence to perform the wide variety of plastic and reconstructive procedures.
Sample rotation schedule
The information below provides an illustrative example of the rotation schedule. Please note that specifics are subject to change as updates and enhancements to program are continually made to improve the resident learning experience.
| Subject | PGY 6 (Year 1) | PGY 7 (Year 2) | PGY 8 (Year 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic Surgery Rotations | 6 Months | 8 Months | 8 Months |
| Orthopedic Hand Surgery | 2 Months | 2 Months | 2 Months |
| OMFS | 2 Months | 1 Month | 1 Month |
| MOHS | 1 Month | ||
| Pediatric Surgery Rotation | 2 Months | 2 Months | 2 Months |
The goal for the first year is to begin to expose residents to the expansive core curriculum in plastic surgery. Most of our residents have a general surgery background. The first-year residents begin by assisting the faculty on their clinical rotations. When the faculty feels that they are capable, they begin performing simple and then moderately complex procedures. The first-year rotations are experiences in general hospital plastic surgery, (Bethlehem, Allentown, Sacred Heart, Anderson, which provide opportunities to do consultations, workup, surgery and follow up on general hospital-based patients. We also provide a pediatric, hand and oral-maxillofacial surgery rotation at this level so that residents can gain experience in the diagnosis and treatment of hand problems.
The goal for the second year is to increase knowledge of the core curriculum by repeating some of the core and adding additional parts not covered during the first year. Residents are also responsible for helping organize the presentations for core curriculum.
The final year residents will be the Chief residents. They will help to administer the program and run the service at Bethlehem Hospital and ASHA Campuses. They will attend all core curriculum conferences, undergo mock oral board examinations and assume a “junior faculty” role in conferences. They will undertake to teach the junior residents, and act as proctors in the anatomy lab and the microsurgery laboratory. They will be expected to finalize their work on papers which they have begun during their first two years. They will be expected to have the skills necessary for the independent practice of plastic surgery upon graduation. They will be exposed to complex craniofacial surgery, and complex head and neck reconstructive surgery. They will be expected to develop skills in aesthetic surgery and become capable of independent practice in aesthetic surgery.
How to Apply
Submit your application to be considered for St. Luke’s Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Residency Program.