Prospective Applicants
The Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Program encourages all qualified applicants to apply for either one of our program tracks (independent or integrated). In addition, an excellent sub-internship experience is offered for all interested medical students.
Sub-Internship
Description
The Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Program offers the opportunity for medical students to rotate at one or more of the affiliated hospitals within the program. Sub-internships are open to fourth year medical students and offer the best chance for students to experience the program first-hand. Students work side-by-side with residents and are exposed to all aspects of plastic surgery including reconstruction, hand surgery, craniofacial and pediatric surgery, breast reconstruction, facial trauma, microsurgery, and aesthetic surgery.
Participating Institutions
Brigham & Women's Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Goals/Objectives
The goal of the sub-internship rotations is to have students become an integral part of our plastic surgery teams. Students will have ample opportunities to be in the operating room and to help manage the clinical service in general. The ability to interact with residents and faculty on a continuous basis over a period of one month makes the sub-internship an extremely valuable experience for those interested in matching into a competitive residency program. Many sub-interns will end up with valuable research experiences as well after rotating with our program.
Didactics
Grand Rounds - Wednesdays
Core Crunch resident didactics - Wednesdays
Institution-specific division conferences - Tuesdays/Thursdays
Application Process
Students interested in rotating with our subinternship program this summer/fall must be a US medical student in their final year of school who are entering the NRMP (The Match), for a plastic surgery integrated position. All applications for the upcoming academic year sub internships will be processed through VSLO (Visiting Student Learning Opportunities).
The clerkship course number for the application is SU514M.MGB
Interested students may also visit the The Harvard Medical School (HMS) Exchange Clerkship Program website for further information and instructions on the sub-internship application process. The HMS Exchange Clerkship Program is one of the largest visiting student programs in the country. Annually, the HMS Registrar's Office processes applications for over 2,000 requests from students from around the world. The program is designed for medical students in their final year of medical school who wish to participate in clinical clerkships offered at HMS-affiliated teaching hospitals
Scholarships from the Harvard Medical School Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Partnership are available here.
Contact
For all questions regarding the sub-internship application process please email Associate Program Director Dr. Lydia Helliwell (lhelliwell@bwh.harvard.edu) or visit the HMS Exchange Clerkship Program webpage. All other program specific questions should be directed towards the Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Program Coordinator, Kimberly Ross at kkramer@bwh.harvard.edu
Residency Application
Independent Program
The plastic surgery residency program matches two (2) new residents each year for the three-year independent program.
Residency positions for this track are matched via the advanced plastic surgery match sponsored by the San Francisco Matching Program (SF Match). Our faculty will review all applications for the advanced program during the month of January. Those who are invited to interview will be notified in early February. Interviews occur on a Thursday afternoon and all-day Friday. NOTE: All application materials MUST be submitted by December 9, 2022
Residents who have satisfactorily completed a formal training program (and are board admissible or certified) in general surgery, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, urology, or oral-maxillofacial surgery (the latter requiring 2 years of general surgery training in addition to a MD/DDS or DMD) can apply for the independent program. Successful completion of these ACGME or ADA accredited programs fulfills the prerequisite training requirement. Confirmation by the ABPS (evaluation of training form) regarding the acceptability of the prerequisite training is needed for the ABPS certification process.
Integrated Program
The plastic surgery residency program matches three (3) new residents each year for the six-year integrated program.
PGY-1 positions for this program will be matched through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Information regarding registration for the NRMP is available from the Dean's Office at each medical school or at www.nrmp.org. In addition we will also review all applications submitted through the Plastic Surgery Common Application (PSCA).
The application process for the integrated plastic surgery program will go through the ERAS electronic residency application system. Our faculty will review all completed applications for the integrated program during the last two weeks of October. Those who are invited to interview will be notified by early November for a December interview.
Selection
Each application is reviewed in its entirety with an eye toward a combination of overall academic excellence, leadership ability, career development potential, and personal character. Although we receive applications from many well-qualified candidates, it is not possible to interview all who apply. Every effort is made to notify applicants of their interview status in a timely manner.
Meet & Greet
The 2023 ACAPS Virtual Meet and Greet is scheduled for Sunday October 1st at 8PM. To register please use the following link:
https://partners.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-VgYROBIQZ2-tnOyQ51GkQ
Interviews
Integrated program interviews will be held December 8, 2023.
Independent program interviews will be held March 15, 2024.
All interviews for the 2023-24 cycle will be conducted in person. Any candidate who is invited to interview must contact the plastic surgery education office to confirm their acceptance of the interview offer. If a confirming phone call or e-mail is not received by the deadline stated on the invitation, an interview will not be scheduled.
Contact
All questions regarding the residency application should be directed towards the Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Program Coordinator, Kimberly Ross, at Kross4@bwh.harvard.edu
