About the Program

Program Mission

The mission of the program is to develop diverse, well-trained plastic surgeons, who have a comprehensive understanding of the field, are excellent and compassionate clinicians, and will be leaders in patient care while contributing to the specialty.

Program Goals

The goal of the Plastic Surgery faculty is to offer the highest quality training in Plastic Surgery that can be provided. We strive to continually improve the program to assure that we provide the tools for our graduates to succeed in either private practice or academia. We recruit individuals that are intelligent, hardworking, responsible and creative, in that the quality of any training program is related to the quality of individuals it attracts. Probably most importantly, we want everyone involved in the program to have fun and enjoy our rigorous, top quality program.

Program Aims

The University of Iowa Plastic Surgery Program aim to train future surgeons in providing comprehensive, high-quality, and multidisciplinary care, providing the breadth and depth of training necessary for independent specialty practice, be recognized nationally for standards of excellence in clinical care and education, contribute high-quality academic research in the field of plastic surgery, cultivate future healthcare leaders for our communities, improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, and provide cutting edge patient care, advancing the practice of plastic surgery.

Program Values

Honesty and Integrity | We uphold the values of honesty and integrity as a core tenant of our medical education program. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of trust, open communication, and respect, where truthfulness and transparency prevail in all interactions. We hold ourselves and our learners to the highest ethical standards, promoting ethical behavior and professional responsibility in all aspects of medical education, research, and patient care.
 

Collaboration | Our program fosters a collaborative learning community, where faculty, trainees, students, and staff work together to share knowledge, experience, and ideas, enriching the educational and clinical experience for all. 
 

Inclusivity | We embrace diversity and inclusivity. Our program is a place where individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives are welcome, respected, and thrive. We celebrate diversity as a strength that enhances our learning and clinical environment. 
 

Excellence | Our commitment to continuous improvement drives us to provide the highest quality medical education, preparing our residents and fellows to excel as compassionate and skilled Plastic Surgeons.

 

Board Requirements

Curriculum

Plastic Surgery didactic sessions take place on Mondays and Tuesdays mornings. The complete Plastic Surgery  training curriculum is covered in a 3-year cycle and adopted from Plastic Surgery: 6-Volume  set by Peter Neligan, ASPS Edunet, and Corequest. Conferences are designed to be an interactive experience with in-depth discussion, Q and A's, and hands on skills sessions.  

presentation-with-chart
Invited Speakers
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Mock Orals
Journal Club & Podcast Club
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Professional Development Topics
Trainee Led In-service Review
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M & M and Interesting Cases
microscope
Skills Labs & Dissections
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ACAPS CoreQuest Discussion
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Wellness Topics

Research

Scholarly activity is actively encouraged for trainees in the Plastic Surgery program. A number of research projects are currently in progress within the division. It is expected that each trainee in the program will complete at least one project appropriate for presentation during each year of their training.

Research and Scholarly Activity Projects by Plastic Surgery Residents:

  • Breast Reconstruction Database
  • Do Plastic Surgeons Undergo Cosmetic Procedures?
  • Practice Patterns in Transgender Mastectomy-A National Survey of Plastic Surgeons

Resident Life

In concert with the world class Plastic Surgery training we offer, the Iowa City community draws international attention with its livability, arts events, athletic events, and natural beauty.

The Plastic Surgery Division holds seasonal retreats for Faculty, Fellows, and Residents to explore Iowa City while developing team-building skills, wellness, and self-development.

Fall Retreat Example: Hawkeye Basketball Game

Winter Retreat Example: Winter Gathering

Spring Retreat Example: Hockey Game

Hockey Game Group Photo

Summer Retreat Example: BBQ

Plastic Surgery BBQ Group Photo

Rotations

Rotations are based on 4 week blocks with a total of 13 blocks per year. Rotation sites include University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and the Iowa City VA hospital. Each of the six years of training include the following rotations.

Rotations

Year 1

Plastic Surgery UIHC
Transplant Surgery
Pediatric Surgery
Emergency Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery
Vascular Surgery
Surgical Oncology
Breast Surgery
Minimally Invasive & Colorectal Surgery
Night Float
Veteran's Administration Medicial Center

Year 2

Plastic Surgery UIHC
Surgical ICU
Hand Service
Night Float
Anesthesia

Year 3

Plastic Surgery UIHC
Dermatology Moh's
 

Year 4

Plastic Surgery UIHC
Hand Service
OMFS

Year 5

Plastic Surgery UIHC
Oculoplastics
Otolaryngology

Year 6

Plastic Surgery UIHC
Elective Block
Hand Service

Access, Opportunity, and Engagement

The Division of Plastic Surgery holds diversity, equity, and inclusion as a core value in all activities. Below is a list of our current Access, Opportunity, and Engagment initiatives and resources that are provided by GME, UIHC, and the University of Iowa.

  • UI Visiting Students Scholars in Medicine Program-The Division of Plastic Surgery is proud to be selected to participate in this program since its inaugural year.
  • Cultural Competency topics are included in our educational curriculum: diversity in surgery, structural racism, sizeism, ableism, implicit bias, microaggressions, stereotype threat, intersectionality, gender schema, gender fair language, sexual harassment, and representation. 
  • Student National Mecial Association AMEC Conference: One of our residents has participated in the professional exhibit hall to reach out to interested medical students about our program and the University of Iowa. 

(White Coats for Black Lives)