Clinical Expertise

The Department of Plastic Surgery offers trainees comprehensive exposure to a full spectrum of reconstructive and aesthetic procedures, encompassing conditions of the face, breast and body. Residents and fellows work alongside experienced faculty in both consultative and operative settings, developing foundational and advanced surgical skills across a broad range of cases.

Training emphasizes surgical precision and sound clinical decision-making, with equal attention given to reconstructive and aesthetic disciplines. Faculty members are deeply committed to graduate medical education and actively engage trainees through hands-on mentorship, didactic instruction and exposure to the latest surgical techniques and technologies.

Trainees develop expertise in reconstructive plastic surgery, gaining exposure to the restoration of normal form and function following trauma, cancer treatment, congenital conditions and other complex medical conditions.

Trainees will work with faculty surgeons to provide a variety of specialized reconstruction services, including:

• Breast reconstruction following cancer surgery
• Craniofacial and congenital reconstruction
• Burn and trauma reconstruction
• Hand surgery and upper extremity reconstruction
• Facial reconstruction
• Body reconstruction

Plastic surgery faculty, residents and fellows collaborate with specialists across oncology, trauma, pediatrics and other clinical disciplines to deliver coordinated, multidisciplinary care for complex reconstructive cases.

In addition to reconstructive procedures, residents and fellows gain exposure to aesthetic surgical procedures.

Areas of aesthetic surgical training include:

Body Procedures

• Liposuction
• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Arm lift
• Thigh lift
• Body contouring procedures

Breast Procedures

• Breast augmentation
• Breast lift
• Breast revision surgery
• Male breast reduction

Facial Procedures 

• Facelift
• Rhinoplasty
• Eyelid surgery
• Brow lift
• Facial implants
• Neck and chin contouring

Trainees develop clinical judgment to individualize surgical approaches with an emphasis on surgical safety and adherence to best practices.

There are also a variety of non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments that trainees engage in.

Non-surgical services include:

• Neuromodulators (e.g., botulinum toxin injections)
• Dermal fillers
• Laser resurfacing treatments
• Fat grafting and facial rejuvenation techniques
• Medical-grade skincare programs

Trainees learn to evaluate when these treatments should be used independently or in combination with surgical procedures, reinforcing a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to aesthetic care.

As part of an academic medical center, our plastic surgeons work closely with clinicians across multiple specialties to provide coordinated treatment for patients with complex conditions. Collaboration with oncology, dermatology, trauma and other surgical specialties enables advanced reconstructive procedures to be performed alongside other treatments when appropriate. 

In addition to clinical care, faculty members actively contribute to:

• Resident and fellow education
• National and international surgical conferences
• Clinical and translational research
• Innovation in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery techniques