Sutter Health/California Pacific Medical Center - UCSF

The Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency Program at UCSF offers a comprehensive six-year training designed to cultivate adept plastic surgeons through both clinical exposure and academic development. Residents benefit from a myriad of resources, diverse clinical experiences, and a robust doesactic curriculum.

Clinical Rotations

The clinical training begins with an intern year consisting of five months in plastic surgery, where residents gain fundamental experience across various clinical sites. Residents will rotate through major hospitals including the UCSF Parnassus and Mission Bay campuses, San Francisco General Hospital, and the California Pacific Medical Center, among others. A significant component of the training includes hands-on surgical experiences ranging from cosmetic to complex reconstructive procedures, with a strong emphasis on trauma and gender affirmation surgeries. This exposure ensures residents develop necessary competencies early in their careers, particularly in the domains of hand and microsurgery, as well as burn treatment.

Second-year residents continue to focus on plastic surgery, further deepening their skills in hand and face trauma procedures. They also participate in a two-month rotation at the esteemed St. Francis Bothin Burn Center to enhance their understanding of burn care and reconstruction. The third year marks a period of increased autonomy, with residents engaging in a full nine months of plastic surgery training and increasingly complex cases.

Culminating in the final years, residents tackle advanced surgical techniques and leadership roles as chief residents, allowing them to guide junior trainees while managing comprehensive patient care. Their responsibilities expand at key sites such as the Buncke Clinic, which specializes in highly intricate microsurgeries that are crucial for limb preservation and reconstructive efforts.

Clinical Sites

The program’s residents rotate through numerous highly regarded clinical sites, including:

• UCSF Parnassus Campus: The primary training site featuring cutting-edge surgical facilities.
• UCSF Mission Bay Campus: Home to pediatric specialties and advanced technologies.
• Zuckerberg San Francisco General: A Level I trauma center crucial for trauma surgery experience.
• California Pacific Medical Center: Focused on hand and microsurgery at The Buncke Clinic, with a lineage of eminent advancements in reconstructive techniques.
• St. Francis Memorial Hospital: Known for burn management and reconstruction procedures.

Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes research throughout the residency, offering a dedicated research year and encouraging residents to engage in projects that range from clinical outcomes to global health initiatives. Residents are assigned mentors to foster their academic pursuits and are urged to present their findings at national conferences.

Conferences and Didactics

Residents are expected to immerse themselves in numerous educational opportunities, including weekly conferences that cover morbidity and mortality, journal clubs, and didactic sessions. These conferences ensure that residents remain well-versed in the latest advancements within the field of plastic surgery.

Application and Competitiveness

The program is notably competitive, attracting a diverse range of candidates including DO and IMG students. Notably, applicants are encouraged to have a solid academic background and multiple clinical rotations in general surgery or related fields. Specific application requirements may include a maximum number of failed STEP exams, background in research, and letters of recommendation indicating a solid understanding of and commitment to the field of plastic surgery.

Visa Sponsorship

The program offers extensive support for international medical graduates, sponsoring J-1 and H-1B visas for eligible applicants. This initiative underscores the program's commitment to fostering a diverse residency environment.

Resident Lifestyle and Support

Residents receive a housing stipend to alleviate living costs in San Francisco. The program encourages a balanced lifestyle with opportunities for leisure, community engagement, and exploration of the city's vibrant culture. Various neighborhoods around San Francisco offer unique experiences, further enhancing the residents' training experience outside the clinical environment.