Nassau University Medical Center/Stony Brook University Program

The integrated plastic surgery residency program at Stony Brook University prepares residents to become proficient, autonomous plastic surgeons by providing an in-depth educational framework that blends clinical experience, research, and surgical education. This program is particularly focused on developing leaders in the field of plastic surgery, emphasizing the importance of clinical judgment and technical skills through a comprehensive six-year training model.

At the heart of the program is the Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH), which is recognized as Long Island’s premier academic medical center. Serving as a tertiary care center and offering a breadth of specialized services, including a Regional Trauma Center and specialized institutes for cancer, cardiac care, and pediatrics, SBUH provides residents with a robust clinical training environment. The comprehensive nature of this facility allows residents to engage with a diverse patient population and complex surgical cases, cultivating their ability to handle a variety of surgical diseases encompassed in plastic surgery 1.

Curriculum Overview

The structured curriculum is designed to maximize the educational experiences of residents throughout their training journey. Residents are integrated directly after medical school, embarking on a pathway that allows them to gain certification eligibility from the American Board of Plastic Surgery upon completion. The residency program accepts one new resident annually, totaling six residents at any given time.

The first three years of the residency are primarily based at Stony Brook, where residents rotate through various services including plastic surgery itself. This ensures a foundational understanding and exposure to the critical aspects of the specialty before advancing into the more focused training of the final three years. During this latter period, residents broaden their surgical experiences through rotations at additional renowned institutions such as New York Plastic Surgery Group and NYU Winthrop Hospital. This diversity in clinical settings enhances their skills and prepares them for diverse practice environments, which encompasses both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery 1.

Clinical and Didactic Learning

The residents’ educational regimen is characterized by a combination of clinical rotations and didactics. Core components include:

• Regular didactic sessions on Wednesdays, encompassing morbidity and mortality reviews, PSEN (Plastic Surgery Education Network)-based lectures, and monthly educational meetings.
• Dedicated sessions for board preparation, quality improvement discussions, and virtual grand rounds.
• Hands-on experiences through various laboratory simulations, such as microsurgical labs and craniofacial symposiums.
• A monthly journal club to foster critical analysis and understanding of ongoing research in plastic surgery.

This multifaceted approach enables residents to develop not only the necessary surgical skills but also to understand the scientific underpinnings essential for advancing in the field 1.

Research Opportunities

The program actively encourages residents to engage in research projects, facilitating a culture of academic inquiry that strengthens their surgical training. Besides engaging in clinical practice, residents can work with faculty on various scholarly projects, contributing to the advancement of both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery practices. This commitment fosters an environment where residents become adept in research methodologies, equipping them for future challenges in their surgical careers 1.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program offers visa support for international medical graduates (IMGs) and is equipped to sponsor H-1B and J-1 visas. As such, it is accessible to a diverse range of applicants, contributing to a global perspective within the residency cohort. The program is competitive, with a strong emphasis on attracting well-qualified candidates, including those from the DO and IMG communities. However, it retains a focus on achieving a balanced selection process to accommodate applicants with unique backgrounds and experiences 1.

Application Process