Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Residencies
Conferences
The formal didactic educational program consists of weekly conferences that are based on the curriculum goals and objectives.
These conferences are formal didactic experiences supervised by faculty course directors. The course directors work into their curriculum the key components of each topic, including: embryology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, biomechanics, and other fundamentals to the science of surgery.
Benchmarks as to the success of the didactic education are obtained through the following assessment tools: Global Assessment of Medical Knowledge, In-service Examination, Mock Oral Boards, Conference Specific Written Examinations, and Written Board Examinations.
Conference Schedule and Descriptions
Plastic Surgery Hand Conference (Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m.) is run by W.P. Andrew Lee, MD. Weekly reading assignments from "Trumble, Principles of Hand Surgery and Therapy", are discussed in the first half of the conference. The second half of the conference is used to discuss specific cases encountered in the Emergency Department, Outpatient Clinic, or operating room since the last conference. A Socratic format is used with opportunities for residents to freely ask questions and exchange experience.
Core Curriculum Conference (Mondays, 5 to 6 p.m.) is run by Carolyn De La Cruz, MD. Weekly reading assignments covering topics in the "Grabb and Smith’s Plastic Surgery, Sixth Edition" are utilized to guide this conference that covers all the topics in plastic surgery in a two-year rotating conference schedule.
Research Conference (Mondays, 5 to 6 p.m., week 1) is run by Kacey Marra, PhD. This laboratory conference is open to all plastic surgery residents. This conference is required for all students, fellows, and residents who are full-time involved in clinical and basic science research. Those residents participating in research, while in the clinical residency program, are encouraged to attend this conference whenever possible. The conference is routinely attended by faculty who participate in research, and in a manner that promotes a spirit of inquiry and scholarship, offers guidance and technical support (i.e. research design, statistical analysis) for students, fellows, and residents involved in research.
Aesthetic Surgery Conference (Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m., weeks 2 and 4) is run by Kenneth Shestak, MD. This conference is a combination of formal didactic lecture series, covering the major topics of cosmetic surgery, and case presentations. This conference intensively reviews the cases seen in the resident's cosmetic surgery clinic. The chief resident currently working in the resident’s aesthetic surgery clinic is responsible for presenting cases seen. The resident then outlines an analysis of the patient's desires, pertinent physical examination findings, and an operative plan. An in-depth discussion of each case is moderated by the faculty participating in the plastic surgery resident’s aesthetic surgery clinic.
Cleft-Craniofacial Surgery Conference (Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m., weeks 1, 3, and 5) is run by Joseph Losee, MD. This Conference is an interactive teaching conference designed to comprehensively cover the core topics of cleft and craniofacial surgery over a one-year cycle. Weekly reading assignments are provided (landmark articles, reviews, and book chapters) and a formal didactic lecture series, with active attendance participation, makes up the conference.
Head and Neck Reconstruction Conference (Mondays, 7 to 8 p.m., week 3) is run by Fred Deleyiannis, MD. The conference is used to discuss specific cases of Head and Neck Reconstruction following tumor extirpation or facial trauma. Cases from the preceding month are presented to highlight the indications and expected outcomes of particular reconstructive techniques. The residents involved in each case present the pre-operative work-up, their analysis of the surgical problem, and the chosen method of reconstruction.
Grand Rounds Conference (Wednesdays, 7 to 9 a.m., weeks 1, 2, 4, and 5). The first hour of weekly plastic surgery grand rounds is a formal didactic lecture given by a faculty member or visiting speaker who would be considered an expert in the material presented. It is during this time that required topics such as practice management, ethics in science and clinical medicine, and medico-legal issues are covered. Active and lively participation by the sponsoring institutions full-time faculty and community clinical faculty create a unique environment of “Town and Gown” and this dynamic significantly adds to the educational benefit of this conference. The residents are given a unique and rounded perspective of both the academic and private practice of plastic surgery. The second hour of grand rounds is dedicated to resident presentations of interesting and/or difficult, complicated cases. The residents, in this Oral Board Examination style experience, present the patient case, field questions from the faculty, discuss treatment plans and complications, as well as alternatives and options for treatment. A short didactic presentation on the topic is then presented by the resident.
Mortality and Morbidity Conference (Wednesdays, 7 to 9 a.m., week 3) is run by Michael White, MD. One Wednesday morning Grand Rounds per month is dedicated to this two-hour Mortality and Morbidity Conference. This formal educational experience is attended by full-time and clinical faculty with active participation from residents and staff. All complications for each rotation and institution are collected and the data processed. In an Oral Boards style presentation, residents who have cared for the patients with complications are prepared to present the history, decision making process, and discuss the complication.
Journal Club (Monthly) Journal Club is held on an evening once a month. An assigned faculty member is designated to lead the discussion and choose the journal articles to be reviewed. The R1-3 plastic surgery residents, if not on in-house call, are encouraged to attend this conference. Plastic Surgery R4, R5, and R6 residents are requested to attend. The attending faculty that moderates the session will call upon a resident to review the paper and critically analyze its structure and scientific merit. Following the conference, each resident discussing a paper is required to fill-out a written analysis of the paper (standardized evaluation form) and submit it to the residency office.
Combined Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgery Hand Conference (Fridays, 6:30 a.m.) is a combined hand conference attended by the plastic surgery residents currently assigned to the sponsoring institution, the hand fellows, and orthopaedic residents rotating on the hand service. This conference uses a case-oriented format for teaching. Typically three cases will be presented by hand fellows or residents, followed by a brief review of the topic. A structured discussion is then conducted on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, operation, and rehabilitation for the condition.