Yale Plastic Surgery Residency

Through the combined efforts of the 20 full and part-time faculty members, a broad educational program is provided in the basic science, clinical and research aspects of plastic surgery. Balanced experience is provided in the biology of disease and the clinical management of problems in congenital craniofacial deformity, cranial base surgery, vascular anomalies, hand surgery, burns, cancer surgery, maxillofacial and extremity trauma, head and neck tumors, microvascular surgery and aesthetic surgery. The program affords the resident an opportunity to acquire a broad base of knowledge and the core information necessary for Board Certification in Plastic Surgery. The residency is fully accredited by the Residency Review Committee in Plastic Surgery.

Education

The Yale Plastic Surgery Residency is a fully accredited six year integrated educational program. A broadly based program, the first three years are characterized by learning essential skills in preoperative and postoperative management, the management of acutely ill patients, critical care management, and increasing experience in plastic surgery and related disciplines. The subsequent three years is exclusively devoted to plastic surgery with educational experience in craniofacial, hand/extremity microsurgery, oncologic, trauma, cosmetic surgery and general reconstructive care. As a feature of the PGY 5 year, international surgical service in developing countries, and three months of individually designed educational program are offered to each resident. Residents have elected research and clinical experiences worldwide during this time period.

Weekly conferences include craniofacial, indications, cosmetic, “core”, hand, and grand rounds in plastic surgery and in the Department of Surgery. Monthly conferences are held to discuss research, including bone and skin growth and wound healing. Also, there is a quarterly interactive review between individual faculty and each resident in the program.

Clinical Programs

The Yale Craniofacial Program is a multi-specialty programmatic effort dealing with congenital, traumatic, tumor, and vascular anomaly involvement in the craniofacial region. It has specialty representation from 18 clinical services within the medical center. There is a full-time nurse coordinator responsible for enhancing patient care delivery and research in the treatment of craniofacial disorders.

The Microsurgery Program is coordinated to concentrate expertise in replantation, microvascular reconstruction, and free flap surgical techniques. There are regularly scheduled “hands on” teaching sessions for the residents with the assistance of the clinical faculty. A fully equipped microsurgery laboratory provides a supportive environment for faculty, residents, and students to develop and refine microsurgical skills and conduct experimental investigations.

Cosmetic Surgery

Resident cosmetic clinic which begins for the resident in the PGY 4 year and extends through the Chief Residency (PGY6) offers broadly based care and follow up. Features of this program include patient requests for foreheadplasty, blepharoplasty, browlift, facelift, breast surgery (augmentation, reduction, and mastopexy) body contouring (abdominoplasty, brachioplasty, thigh lift, and liposuction), and post–bariatric weight loss body contouring.

The Upper Extremity Program includes treatment of traumatic, congenital, and degenerative conditions involving the hand, wrist, and the nervous system. Repetitive work trauma and recalcitrant pain conditions are treated in a multidisciplinary program of special emphasis. An ACGME accredited Hand Fellow is accepted into a one-year program each year.

Oncologic Reconstruction

The Oncologic Reconstruction Program focuses on breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and melanoma treatment.

Research

Areas of research include: connective tissue regeneration, concentrating on hard and soft tissue growth and repair; craniofacial growth and development; microvascular surgery; aesthetic breast shape; flap physiology; hand surgery; and telemedicine technology to facilitate wound care.

All applicants must use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Information can be found at the ERAS Web site. The application deadline is October 15. Incomplete applications will not be able to be considered. (Please note: Medical students must first register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), at 2501 M Street, N.W., Suite 1, Washington D.C. 20037-1307. Please indicate Yale Plastic Surgery (NRMP#1089-49) NOT Yale General Surgery on the form.)

Decisions concerning interviews for all applicants will be completed by the Yale Plastic Surgery Admissions Committee. Applicants will be notified by November 30. Interviews will take place in November and December. 

For more information, contact:

Monika Chmielewska
Resident Coordinator
Yale University School of Medicine
Section of Plastic Surgery
330 Cedar Street
P.O. Box 208041
New Haven, CT 06520-8041