Medical University of South Carolina Program

The MUSC Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency Program offers a comprehensive six-year training experience designed to cultivate expert plastic surgeons proficient in various subspecialties. This program accepts one resident annually, working alongside three fellowship trainees, bringing the total count of residents to nine.

Residents benefit from an extensive clinical experience, actively participating in over 600 inpatient and 1,400 outpatient cases each year. The training spans five hospitals that offer a mix of academic and private practice environments. Core faculty, along with community physicians, foster a collaborative training atmosphere across all years of residency.

Curriculum Structure

The residency encompasses various core areas, including:

• Breast Reconstruction
• Hand Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Body Contouring
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Maxillofacial Trauma
• Oncologic Reconstruction
• Trauma Reconstruction
• Cutaneous Malignancies

Furthermore, residents also engage in training across multiple surgical specialties such as trauma, transplant, orthopedic, ENT, dermatologic, pediatric, oral maxillofacial, surgical critical care, surgical oncology, gastroenterology, and vascular surgeries 1.

Clinical Rotations

Clinical experiences are thoughtfully designed and divided into six services, ensuring diverse exposure:

• MUSC 1: General Reconstructive, Hand, Aesthetic, and Oncology rotations LED by Dr. Armstrong
• MUSC 2: Emphasis on Breast Reconstruction, Hand, and General Reconstructive Surgery under Dr. Delaney
• MUSC 3: Rotations encompassing VA, Hand, and Lower Extremity Services
• MUSC 4: Focus on VA, Urology Reconstruction, and further Hand Surgery
• MUSC 5: Craniomaxillofacial and Breast General Reconstruction assignments
• MUSC 6 & 7: Specialized training in Microsurgery and Maxillofacial Trauma

In addition to hands-on surgical experience, residents are expected to engage actively in two weekly conferences and a monthly journal club, along with attending two significant national or regional meetings annually. Attendance at these conferences is fundamental to their educational experience 1.

Research and Educational Activities

Research plays a critical role in the residency, with each resident expected to engage in projects within the Division of Plastic Surgery and submit at least one paper per year to a peer-reviewed journal. This commitment to research cultivates a deeper understanding and fosters advancement in various surgical methodologies 1.

Application and Competitive Landscape

The program is integrated and open to medical students through the NRMP, with applications accepted solely via the PSCA system. Special application requirements include submission through specified channels—no supplementary materials are needed outside of the PSCA application itself. The program does not set a maximum limit on failed STEP examination attempts but maintains a highly competitive atmosphere, welcoming both MD and DO graduates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs) 1.

Visa Sponsorship

The MUSC Plastic Surgery Residency Program provides visa support for eligible applicants, notably sponsoring J-1 and H-1B visas to accommodate international medical graduates 1.

Compensation and Benefits

The residency stipends for the academic year of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, are as follows:

• PGY1: $61,010
• PGY2: $63,101
• PGY3: $65,351
• PGY4: $68,145
• PGY5: $71,081
• PGY6: $73,780
• PGY7: $76,853
• PGY8: $81,098

In addition to competitive salaries, the program offers comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and complimentary access to facilities such as the MUSC Wellness Center. Annual leave for personal well-being, as well as funding for conferences, rounds out the benefits package available to residents 1.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Over the years, the MUSC Plastic Surgery Residency Program has produced numerous graduates who have gone on to complete prestigious fellowships and obtain significant positions in the medical field, reflecting the effectiveness and depth of training the program offers. The unique blend of academic rigor combined with practical experience equips residents with the required competencies for surgical excellence in various contexts, from trauma to aesthetic procedures 1.