Skip to main content

Welcome visiting medical students! We are so excited to show you all the incredible facets our department has to offer. There are several opportunities for students to get involved. 

For early medical students, we offer clinical shadowing opportunities with our faculty and research project opportunities with both faculty and residents. Additionally, interested students are welcome to attend our research clubs, grand rounds, didactic lectures and journal clubs.

Rising fourth-year medical students can apply for a Sub-Internship at UC Irvine via VSLO. Students will work with faculty and residents on each rotation, performing various duties on the wards, in the operating room and in the clinic. They will be expected to attend Thursday morning didactic sessions and can take part in any instructional courses or journal clubs during their rotation. Students will meet one-on-one with a faculty advisor at the beginning and end of their rotation. At the end of their rotation, students will be expected to give a short case presentation.

Four-Week Rotation


  • Two weeks on the UC Irvine plastic surgery service
  • One week at CHOC
  • One week on the UC Irvine hand surgery service

Application Process


Applications open in March and will be accepted on a rolling basis. Students must submit an application via VSLO and provide a letter of interest and USMLE scores.

For more information, please contact our residency coordinator, Cindy Rodriguez, at cynthgr2@hs.uci.edu.

Representation in medicine is fundamental. We recognize that underrepresentation and opportunity gaps remain significant challenges in our field.

We are excited to introduce the “Home Away from Home” Award and Mentorship Program. The mission is to increase opportunity among plastic surgery applicants by pairing them with a UC Irvine rising fourth-year medical student and a faculty and resident mentor, leading up to and potentially beyond their visiting rotation.

Award Details


  • Four-week rotation 
  • One recipient per year from any U.S. accredited medical school without a home plastic surgery program
  • Financial stipend for travel and room and board 
  • Reimbursement for VSLO fee 
  • Paired with a faculty and resident mentor, who will provide:
    • The opportunity to conduct research 
    • The option for a letter of recommendation 
    • Guidance throughout the residency application process and insight into residency programs 

Application Process


Interested students should submit the following through VSLO:

  • CV
  • USMLE scores
  • Short statement describing the importance of diversity in plastic surgery training and what that means to them

Applications are due April 1st. For more information, please contact our education manager, Elena Quiroz-Carraby, at ecarraby@hs.uci.edu.