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Plastic Surgery Residency Curriculum

SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Plastic Surgery Residency Program curriculum comprises the full breadth and depth of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures across multiple training environments, with an emphasis on personal, professional and academic growth. 

Rotations

Clinical Sites

General surgery residents train at the following sites:

Residents get a preview of future professional environments, learning the pros and cons of each system so they can select the venue that best suits their life goals. Graduates have found this invaluable when selecting career paths. 

PGY-1
  • Off-Service (six one-month blocks):
    • Trauma
    • Orthopaedic
    • Neurological surgery
    • Transplant
    • Anesthesia
    • Dermatology
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (six one-month blocks):
    • SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (one month)
    • John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital (three total months)
    • SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis (two months)
PGY-2
  • Off-Service (five one-month blocks):
    • Burn (two total months)
    • Vascular
    • General
    • ICU nights
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (seven one-month blocks):
    • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital (three total months)
    • John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital (two total months)
    • SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis (one month)
    • SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (one month)
PGY-3
  • Off-Service (five one-month blocks):
    • Oral and maxillofacial
    • Acute care surgery
    • Surgical oncology
    • ENT
    • Burn
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (seven one-month blocks):
    • SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis (two total months)
    • John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital (one month)
    • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital (two total months)
    • SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (two total months)
PGY-4
  • Off-Service (one-month block):
    • Oculoplastics
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (11 one-month blocks):
    • Mercy Hospital St. Louis (three total months)
    • SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (three total months)
    • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital (three total months)
    • John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital (one total month)
    • SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis (one total month)
PGY-5
  • Off-Service (one-month block)
    • Elective
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (11 one-month blocks):
    • SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital (three total months)
    • St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery (one month)
    • SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (four total months)
    • John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital (one total month)
    • SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis (one total month)
    • Mercy Hospital St. Louis (one month)
PGY-6
  • Off-Service (one-month block):
    • Elective
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (11 one-month blocks):
    • SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (five total months)
    • John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital (one total month)
    • SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis (one total month)
    • Mercy Hospital St. Louis (one month)
    • St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery (three total months)

Didactics and Professional Development

Core Conferences
  • Twice weekly
  • Core plastic surgery topics
  • Guest lectures
  • Curriculum reviewed/revised by junior and senior residents, faculty
In-Service Review
  • Monthly
  • Senior resident-led
  • Annual in-service exam prep
Journal Club
  • Monthly
  • Review and discussion of prominent plastic surgery articles
  • Hosted at a trendy restaurant
Cosmetic Clinic
  • Bimonthly
  • Faculty-supervised
  • Fosters independent, hands-on learning
  • Recruit patients for injectable procedures and potential surgical procedures
Cadaver Labs and Courses
  • Division-hosted quarterly cadaver dissections for practical learning of the upper/lower extremity, trunk and face
  • Access to cadavers throughout the year by request
  • National and international courses via the Practical Anatomy and Surgical Education (PASE) lab, including:
    • American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons Advanced Course
    • Annual Craniofacial Surgery
    • Transfacial Approaches to the Skull Base

Explore PACE Workshops

Research
  • Encouragement and support to submit abstracts and papers to local and national conferences
  • Travel compensation
  • Chief residents are sent to the annual, week-long ASPS senior resident conferences to prepare for their next career steps

Explore More Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Research