University of Colorado Program

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive Plastic Surgery Residency program, which is structured to provide residents with a rich educational experience paired with practical, hands-on training. The program has two distinct training pathways, designed to accommodate the diverse needs and backgrounds of medical graduates.

Integrated Residency Program: This six-year program integrates general surgery with plastic surgery training. It is targeted at those who hold a medical degree and wish to embark on this specialty right after medical school. Over the first three years, residents receive training in both general and plastic surgery, followed by three years concentrated solely on plastic surgery specialties.1

Independent Residency Program: Designed for those who have already completed five years of general surgery training, this three-year program allows residents to advance their knowledge and practice in plastic surgery. This pathway is ideal for surgeons looking to specialize further after fulfilling the prerequisites for plastic surgery training.1

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum is meticulously crafted, integrating various surgical specialties into the training process. In the Integrated program, the initial years combine rotations in general surgery, followed by specific plastic and reconstructive surgery training in later years. The Independent program follows a rigorous training schedule throughout the three years, focusing solely on plastic surgery after completing general surgery requirements.4

Details of training rotations include the following:

• Years 1-3: Residents alternate between core surgical specialties at Denver Health Medical Center and the University of Colorado Hospital, ensuring a well-rounded clinical foundation.
• Year 4: Residents rotate through specialized sites for a deeper dive into pediatric care at the Children’s Hospital Colorado, alongside hand and burn surgery within the University of Colorado Hospital.
• Years 5-6: Continuing education is emphasized, with Residents engaging in complex cases at various affiliated hospitals, including required rotations in cosmetic, dermal, and hand surgeries.5

Research Opportunities

The University of Colorado places a strong emphasis on research, requiring all residents to engage in at least one significant project during their training. This capitalizes on the expertise available within the program, as residents work closely with faculty on clinical and scientific investigations.6

Each resident is expected to complete a publishable quality research article, which is then presented at the annual Plastic Surgery Research Symposium. This event showcases the scholarly work of residents, evaluated by a diverse panel of faculty and staff for originality and significance.6

Unique Aspects of the Program

The University of Colorado’s Plastic Surgery residency is notable for its strong emphasis on mentorship and education. Board-certified faculty guide residents through a structured yet flexible learning environment, fostering connections that extend well into their professional careers. The program promotes an education-focused culture that supports development of crucial surgical skills.1

Visa Support and Application Competitiveness

For international medical graduates, the University of Colorado provides visa sponsorship options, including support for H-1B or J-1 visa types, facilitating a smooth transition for eligible applicants seeking residency training in the United States.1

The competitive nature of the residency is significant, with the Integrated program being particularly rigorous, necessitating that applicants be from institutions accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The Independent path also requires applicants to have completed an ACGME-accredited general surgery program, highlighting the high standards maintained by the program.4

Application Requirements

Applicants must meet specific criteria to be considered for either residency path. For the Integrated program, candidates need to hold a medical degree from an LCME-accredited institution, while the Independent program expects completion of general surgery training.4

Interviews for residency positions are conducted by invitation only, which further emphasizes the selective nature of this esteemed program. The unique pathways allow for a broad spectrum of candidates to apply, making it friendly towards both US osteopathic graduates (DO) and international medical graduates (IMG) with appropriate qualifications.1