Plastic Surgery Fellowship

The Independent Plastic Surgery training Program at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is an ACGME accredited independent program that has one trainee in each year of the three years of the program. The program is designed to broadly educate trainees in the art and science of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and to develop highly competent, inquisitive and responsible Plastic Surgeons. The training curriculum has been constructed to provide the skills to be successful in any type of practice that the trainee decides to pursue.

Our program offers diverse educational opportunities with a close knit and vibrant plastic surgery team. Our team is comprised of faculty, plastic surgery integrated residents, plastic surgery independent fellows, APP's, nurses, staff, medical students, and residents and fellows from other training programs. We are here to support you and your educational/career goals and look forward to your application!

A trainee is considered eligible for the independent format after successful completion of an ACGME-accredited surgery, neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, or urology residency.

Dr. Jerrod Keith

Jerrod Keith, MD
Program Director & Division Director
Clinical Associate Professor
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Faculty Profile

Dr. Kelly Ledbetter

Kelly Ledbetter, MD
Associate Program Director
Clinical Assistant Professor
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Faculty Profile

About the Program

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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 in academia. We hope to attract individuals that are intelligent, hardworking, responsible and creative in that the quality of any training program is related to the quality of individual it attracts. Probably most importantly, we want everyone involved in the program to have fun and enjoy our rigorous, top quality program.

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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.

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Program Aims

The University of Iowa Plastic Surgery Program aims 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 standard 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.

Diveristy, Equity, and Inclusion

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

  • Underrepresented in Medicine Visiting Student Elective 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 Medical 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)

Board Requirements

Board Requirements

Please visit The American Board of Plastic Surgery website for board certification requirements.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery

Didactic Schedule

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 and Q and A's. 

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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
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Skills Labs & Dissections
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ACAPS CoreQuest Discussion
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Wellness Topics

Fellow 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

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 by Plastic Surgery Fellows:

  • What Plastic Surgeons Need to Know When Negotiating Employment Agreements
  • Technique for Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Using SERI
  • A Safe and Practical Path to Surgery Resident Autonomy
  • Immediate External Compression Following Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis
  • Artificial Leech as an Alternative to the Biologic Leech for Venous Flap
  • Combination of Liposuction with Skin Excision for the Treatment of Solid Predominant Lymphedema
  • Strategic Incision Placement to Facilitate Successful Lymphaticovenular Anastomoses
  • Lateral Thoracodorsal Flap in Breast Reconstruction–7 Year Experience at University of Iowa
  • Transgender Mastectomies in Iowa
  • Refinements of Venous Flap Design: Shunt Restriction

Rotations

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

Rotations

Year 1

Plastic Surgery UIHC
Burn Surgery
Dermatology
Hand Surgery

Year 2

Plastic Surgery UIHC
Oral Surgery
Oculoplastics 
Otolaryngology

Year 3

Plastic Surgery UIHC
Hand Surgery
Elective

How to Apply

The training program in Plastic Surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is a three-year Independent Program that trains individuals that have met the prerequisite training requirements defined by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  The prerequisite training requirements can be met by:

  • Completing five progressive years of training in general surgery sufficient to qualify for certification by the American Board of Surgery. 
  • Completing and reaching Board eligibility in a formal, ACGME–accredited training program in one of the following ABMS specialties: vascular surgery, neurologic surgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, thoracic surgery, or urology. 
  • Alternatively, individuals with both a dental and medical degree may meet the perquisite requirements by completing an ADA-approved training program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery that includes 2 years of Surgery training. 

 

Applications to the program are accepted through the Central Application Service of the San Francisco Match at https://sfmatch.org/. 

02/27/2023

03/03/2023

03/07/2023

8
Invited per Day
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24
Total Invites

Application FAQs

Do you have a USMLE Score Minimum?

We prefer scores >215, but we do not have an absolute cutoff. Applicants who have previous failures on the USMLE are generally less likely to successfully match in our program. Completion of Step 2 is preferred. All applications are thorougly reviewed and one score will not filter an application out. 

Do you require U.S. Clinical Experience?

U.S. clinical experience is not an absolute requirement, however it is highly encouraged.

What visas do you sponsor?

Please click the following link for more information reguarding our ECFMG requirements: https://gme.medicine.uiowa.edu/about/ecfmg-and-visas

Do you offer observerships or externships to medical school graduates?

No, we do not offer observerships or externships if you have already graduated medical school. 

Our People

Residents and Fellows
Fellows and Faculty at Maps Conference
Fellows and Faculty at Graduation
PD APD and PC at Graduation
Dr. Dixon and Dr. Maduakolam
Plastic Surgery Lunch Outing
Microsurgery Lab
Faculty and Trainees in the OR
2022 AO Course
Plastic Surgery Residents and Fellows

 

The Division of Plastic Surgery is a dedicated team whose expertise in education, research, clinical, and operative experience spans the entire field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. We are dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in our Division and our training programs.

The primary faculty in Plastic Surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics includes Jerrod Keith, MD (Division Director and Program Director), Kelly Ledbetter, MD (Associate Program Director), John Jensen, MD (Clinical Professor), Allison Lorenzen, MD (Clinical Assistant Professor), and Shady Al-Hayek, MD (Clinical Associate Professor).

During the training program, trainees also work with faculty in the Burn Center and in the Departments of Orthopedics (Hand Surgery), Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Oral Surgery.

Current Fellows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faculty

 

 

 

 

 

Fellowship Alumni