University of California (Irvine) Program

The University of California, Irvine's Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency Program has been training residents since 2005, following a transformation from a previously independent structure established in the 1960s. This six-year program is designed for three medical students each year and encompasses comprehensive training in the field of plastic surgery. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the board examinations in plastic surgery 1.

Curriculum Overview

The residency program offers extensive rotations that cover a wide array of plastic surgery subspecialties. Major rotations occur at the UC Irvine Medical Center, which is designated as a Level I trauma center. This facility provides residents with hands-on experience in trauma, burn care, and critical surgery, allowing them to hone essential skills required for their future practice 1.

Key Rotations

• Trauma and Burn Rotation: Residents participate in comprehensive planning and management of burn patients, from acute care to rehabilitation. This rotation emphasizes mastery of trauma and burn resuscitation, flap reconstruction, and critical care management.
• Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery: Conducted at both UC Irvine Medical Center and the VA Long Beach Healthcare System, residents work on various conditions affecting the hand, providing a robust microsurgical platform for developing surgical techniques 1.
• Head and Neck Surgery: Involves collaborative care with teams from plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and surgical oncology, allowing for in-depth exposure to oncological and reconstructive procedures.
• Pediatric/Cleft/Craniofacial Surgery: Focused on treating congenital and acquired anomalies in children, this rotation emphasizes outpatient management and participation in interdisciplinary panels 1.
• Cosmetic Surgery Training: Residents gain experience in aesthetic practices at the Newport Beach Surgery Center, expanding their skills in cosmetic procedures.

Research Opportunities

Research is a central pillar of the residency program. The Center for Tissue Engineering (CTE) at UC Irvine engages residents in innovative projects involving the development of medical devices and the exploration of regenerative medicine principles through adipose-derived stem cells. Various collaborative projects with biomedical engineers foster a learning environment that values translational research 1.

Educational Activities

In addition to clinical rotations, the program enhances residents' learning through specialized facilities and educational activities:

• Microsurgery Training Laboratory: Residents have year-round access to this facility, which supports ongoing practice and advanced training in microsurgery techniques.
• Fresh Tissue Dissection and Surgical Practice: Residents perform anatomical dissections of cadavers, enriching their surgical knowledge and skills.
• Monthly Journal Clubs: These sessions facilitate the discussion of relevant clinical articles, ensuring residents remain updated in their field.
• Aesthetic Conference and Injection Clinics: Hands-on experiences in non-surgical facial rejuvenation techniques further prepare residents for diverse practice settings.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program is open to international medical graduates (IMGs) and offers support for both J-1 and H-1B visas, ensuring that international applicants receive the assistance needed to navigate the application process abroad 1.

The selection process is competitive, requiring applicants to meet specific qualifications. Generally, incoming residents should have completed their medical education within two years prior to their start date, with a limit on the number of failed USMLE Step exams accepted. Events such as away rotations can enhance candidates' profiles by providing direct exposure to the program 3.

Networking and Community

The residency program fosters community connections through monthly dinners organized by the Orange County Society of Plastic Surgery. These events allow residents to build networks with practicing professionals in the field, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the program and preparing them for future professional endeavors 1.