Integrated Residency Program

The Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Virginia offers a six-year integrated program filled with rigorous clinical experience, protected research time, structured didactics, and individual attention from faculty.

Residents are trained in all aspects of plastic surgery including thermal injury, reconstructive surgery, microvascular reconstruction, oncologic reconstruction, head and neck reconstruction, craniofacial trauma, hand surgery, pediatric plastic surgery, cleft and craniofacial surgery, and aesthetic surgery. Our training model is immersive with many individualized opportunities including meeting presentations, elective time, and global health opportunities. Chief residents are provided many opportunities for independent growth to meet the goals of leadership and autonomy for their final year of training. This includes education of medical students, leading our inpatient service, and greater clinical independence with specialized focus areas.

Jonathan S. Black, MD, FACS, FAAP
Residency Program Director

Dear Plastic Surgery Applicant,

Welcome to the University of Virginia Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency Program!
Let me be one of the first to welcome you to the unparalleled profession of Plastic Surgery. You are about to become a part of something amazing with decades of opportunities to change lives and challenge your mind. Our core mission is complete clinical training to enable endless professional pursuit for each of our graduates.

Long History

UVA Plastic Surgery has an immense and proud history. Beginning with Claude Coleman, Jr. our program began in 1959. Milton Edgerton joined in 1970 forming the Department of Plastic Surgery, the first of its kind in the United States. Throughout the decades our program has graduated leaders in both academic and private practice. In 1996 we accepted our first integrated resident and have continued to evolve our integrated training with a central focus on the trainee.

Faculty Connections and Fellowships

We have an energetic faculty at UVA to provide the full spectrum of clinical Plastic Surgery. All faculty participate in leadership roles within the primary regional and national societies, including but not limited to SESPRS, ASPS, ABPS, ASSH, ASRM, ASMS, and ACAPS. This national presence provides UVA and its trainees a network of opportunities and a voice in the direction of our specialty. Resident involvement in our societies is also common and highly encouraged. Our residents frequently receive institutional awards in teaching which is a testament to the value we place on education as a department.

Diversity and Inclusivity

The University of Virginia has a strong commitment to being an inclusive, safe environment for all people and our Department is a leader in this effort. Our curriculum includes specific topics related to diversity & inclusion. These topics support awareness and education on care delivery and surgical outcomes. Our residents and faculty are involved in research directly related to health care disparity and diversity initiatives within medical education.

Charlottesville is a wonderful and easy place to live with many outdoor activities and unparalleled beauty! Our program boasts a nearly single site training experience enabling ease of training and excellent comradery. As a tertiary referral center, UVA provides a centralized learning atmosphere for our trainees with state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities.

Applicants should have a great passion for Plastic Surgery. We will harness that internal drive and help you make the most of what you can be during your time with us. Through mentorship with faculty, the development of each trainee is a central focus of our department’s mission and critical to who we are at UVA. We aim to instill a core set of principles to allow you to practice safe and effective Plastic Surgery throughout your career. Most importantly, we know you will encounter clinical problems after training you haven’t encountered before. Our program will ensure you are ready to face that challenge!

Should you have any additional inquires, feel free to contact our Plastic Surgery Residency Program Coordinator, Carla Cooks. Thank you for your interest and consideration, and best of luck to you all in your future surgical careers!

Sincerely,

Jonathan S. Black, MD, FACS, FAAP
Residency Program Director

As a plastic surgery resident at UVA’s School of Medicine, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of each patient. Working with an attending, you’ll be encouraged to form and execute treatment plans as part of your training.

Two residents are accepted each year. This program is truly integrated; each rotation during the first three years is selected in order to provide the best possible foundation on which to build an education in plastic surgery. The Department of Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial and Oral Health considers all applicants to its integrated program.

You’ll be trained in aspects of plastic surgery that include:

In the final year of training, chief residents are given opportunities for independent growth. These opportunities include:

• Educating medical students
• Leading inpatient service
• More clinical independence