The Department of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine trains future leaders in plastic surgery through its six-year, ACGME-accredited Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program.
The program provides experience in all of the core subject areas in the discipline of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including cosmetic surgery, hand surgery, pediatric surgery, craniofacial surgery and microsurgery. However, we provide more than just technical training; we strive to produce not only skilled surgeons but also highly moral and ethical professionals.
Participating institutions include both NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. Residents also rotate through Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Hospital for Special Surgery and NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem.
Each of these outstanding facilities exposes the resident to the diverse nature of clinical disorders managed by plastic surgeons, from complex tertiary care reconstructions to a resident-run aesthetic surgery clinic. Residents are also exposed to burn care and the interdisciplinary nature of cancer care and traumatic injuries.
Residents also devote additional time to an outpatient office experience, where they participate in the care of private practice patients under the direct supervision of Weill Cornell Medicine’s reputable and experienced voluntary faculty. Their work with voluntary faculty gives residents increased exposure to ethical practice, outpatient safety and the business side of plastic surgery.
The first two years of training includes rotations in dermatology, otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, hand surgery, anesthesia, oculoplastic surgery and core surgical experiences.
In the final four years, the training paradigms focus on the graded assumption of responsibility for the care of plastic surgery patients across the entire spectrum of the specialty.
Throughout the duration of the program, residents are also required to pursue independent clinical or basic science research. Presentation and/or publication of their research at a national meeting or prominent journal annually is a requirement for graduation.
Weill Cornell Medicine and the Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program also have a history of excellence in the field.
Over the past decade, our resident graduates have either followed career pathways in academic plastic surgery, taken additional fellowship training in craniofacial surgery, microsurgery of the hand or have pursued private practice opportunities in equal numbers.
All resident graduates participate in the certification process offered by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with 100 percent of the graduates becoming board-certified over time.
The program has two residents each year for a total complement of twelve residents. The two positions are filled through the NRMP PGY-1 match each year.
To learn more about our current residents and this residency program, contact us today.
Fourth Year Visiting Rotations
Elective rotations for the NewYork Presbyterian bi-campus Plastic Surgery residency program are currently arranged solely through Weill Cornell Medicine. Currently, Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons does not accept students via VSLO for rotations in the bi-campus Plastic Surgery residency training program.
The Division of Plastic Surgery welcomes surgical sub-interns to join us on service. Students will be expected to be an integral member of the surgical team and function at the level of a first-year surgical trainee with direct patient care responsibilities. Visiting students will be expected to learn the workup and treatment for the surgical conditions commonly encountered on the service. Students will actively participate in the pre and post-operative care of patients, including but not limited to, presenting on rounds, entering orders, managing tubes and drains, evaluating clinic patients, and scrubbing into operative cases. Students will rotate at both the Cornell and Columbia campuses during the rotation. Students will also participate in formal teaching rounds, case presentations, and educational conferences. Student performance will be evaluated in terms of knowledge base, clinical and technical skills, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and attitude. Additional simulation training, weekend call, and literature review/case presentation are required.
How to Apply:
Weill Cornell Medicine accepts applications through the AAMC’s VSLO portal. WCM’s Registrar Office will process elective offers. We encourage all interested students to apply as early as possible.
For more information regarding the visiting student policies at Weill Cornell Medicine: https://medicaleducation.weill.cornell.edu/student-resources/visiting-students
If you have questions or would like to obtain more information, please email registrar@med.cornell.edu
Should you have additional questions, please utilize the Contact Us feature below to reach the Department of Surgery.
Diversity Visiting Student Plastic Surgery Sub-Internship Program
The Diversity Visiting Student Plastic Surgery Sub-Internship Program is a funded program for 4th year medical students with a diverse background to perform a Sub-Internship at Weill Cornell Medicine in the Division of Plastic Surgery.
- Students will be assigned to a plastic surgery service at both Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, participating in all aspects of patient care in the operating room, in the hospital, and in clinic.
- Students will attend all educational conferences with the house staff.
- Students will be assigned to a resident mentor and have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the Plastic Surgery Residency Program leadership.
- 4-week rotation, offered May - November.