Plastic Surgery

Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Residencies — Independent Plastic Surgery

Residency Training Programs

The Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh offers an Independent Plastic Surgery Residency Training Program. The information listed below, will provide you with an overview of the Independent Residency Program.

The Independent Model

The Independent Plastic Surgery Residency Program at the University of Pittsburgh is an ACGME accredited pathway into Plastic Surgery in which residents complete 3 years of concentrated plastic surgery education, with 12 months of chief responsibility, after successful completion of one of the following prerequisite curricula:

Prerequisite Education:

Option one requires at least three years of clinical general surgery residency training to complete the PREREQUISTE requirements of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Candidates must complete a minimum requirement of 36 months of training including specific rotations, which are noted in the ABPS Booklet of Information. This requirement of ABPS stipulates that a minimum of three years of clinical training in general surgery, with progressive responsibility, in the same program must be completed before the resident enters a plastic surgery residency.

Option two is available for residents who have satisfactorily completed a formal training program (and are board admissible or certified) in general surgery, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, urology, or oral and maxillofacial surgery (the latter requiring two years of general surgery training in addition to an MD/DDS). Successful completion of these ACGME or ADA accredited programs fulfills the PREREQUISITE training requirement.

Residents can officially begin a plastic surgery training program (REQUISITE TRAINING) after completion of any of these PREREQUISITE options, which all require confirmation by the ABPS (Evaluation of Training Form with confirmation letter regarding the acceptability of the prerequisite training for the ABPS certification process).