Plastic Surgery Residency
The SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Plastic Surgery Residency Program offers comprehensive, hands-on training that covers the full spectrum of plastic surgery and emphasizes research and innovation.
A Message From the Program Director
Welcome to the Plastic Surgery Residency Program. Our goal is to teach competent plastic surgeons. Residents are taught to be teachers, ensuring both deep understanding and long-term mastery. They exercise autonomy commensurate with their abilities, initiative and educational needs, and the fellowship-free environment ensures they enjoy substantial direct operative experience with attending surgeons.
About half of our graduates go on to competitive subspecialty fellowship programs. The others feel they have mastered the needed skills to enter clinical practice.
In keeping with the School of Medicine’s Jesuit tradition, we also provide a great deal of compassionate charity care, offering residents the gratification of using their growing expertise to serve those in need.
Thank you for your interest, and please reach out with any questions.
Michael Bernstein, M.D., Ph.D.
Program director
Program Highlights
The six-year, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)- accredited plastic surgery residency provides in-depth training encompassing comprehensive reconstructive surgery and wound care, pediatric plastic surgery, aesthetic surgery, and surgery of the head and neck, hand and breast.
Residents have structured opportunities for professional growth and skill development, including twice-weekly conferences, cadaver labs, journal clubs and rotations at six diverse training environments.
- Direct-access operative experience
- Academic, private and public hospital environments
- Research opportunities and conference presentations
- Faculty mentorship
- Supportive family atmosphere
Apply
The residency program has two positions available per year.
The program participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
Review the Application Process
Visiting Medical Students
The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery regularly hosts visiting medical students from national and international medical schools. All applications are processed through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program.
About the SSM Health/Saint Louis University School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education Program
SSM Health proudly sponsors the Graduate Medical Education Program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. This university-based training program offers a world-class academic environment that fosters clinical excellence, research innovation and compassionate care. All program participants are employed by SSM Health, ensuring a cohesive and supportive experience within a nationally recognized health system.