Plastic Surgery Global Health

Our recent Global Health India trip was a success. Residents and faculty, led by our program director Dr. Jonathan Black were able to treat over 80 patients. We are proud to have such a dedicated group of physicians and staff willing to travel and provide care globally.

A group of plastic surgery residents and faculty traveled to the Philippines. It was an amazing experience for all the participants. A team of residents and faculty worked together to provide optimal care for over 70 patients. Residents participated in a number of procedures such as cleft palate repairs, cleft lip repairs, as well as burn and cancer reconstructions. The gratitude from patients and locals was overwhelming, and these experiences can be life-changing for trainees and faculty.

UVA Plastic Surgery was a part of a team who provided clinical care in Romania. The team evaluated 10 children with syndromic craniosynostosis from age two months to 11 years. This included surgeons specialized in neurosurgery, craniofacial surgery, maxillofacial surgery, as well as Romanian residents. In addition to hands on learning using springs, internal distraction, and external distraction, the group provided lecture topics including single suture craniosynostosis, syndromic craniosynostosis, and midface advancement including Lefort 3, Monobloc, and Facial Bipartition.

Our team of 18 multi-disciplinary professionals traveled to Giridih, India in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains to provide reconstructive surgery. We performed over 200 procedures.

Without this care, these patients would not be treated. Their needs included cleft lip, burn reconstruction, and numerous types of hand surgery. We travel every two to three years and typically treat over 70 patients surgically. These missions are our department’s longest ongoing global efforts, which began in 1988.