Medical Student Education
The Division of Plastic Surgery at UC San Diego provides multiple learning opportunities that are designed to help medical students explore the field of plastic surgery and get to know the faculty and residents in the division. Our in-person rotation aims to give fourth-year medical students a sense of what it is like to be a resident in the UC San Diego Department of Surgery Plastic Surgery Residency Program.
Learning Objectives
Our courses provide an introductory exposure to plastic and reconstructive surgery for medical students. You will learn:
- Basic plastic surgery techniques and etiquette
- Plastic surgery concepts that can be universally applied to different clinical problems
- How principles of plastic surgery can be applied to treating the whole patient
- How to facilitate a multidisciplinary team of caregivers during complex procedures
Courses
The Division of Plastic Surgery offers three different medical student education programs. Programs cover a variety of plastic surgery topics, including:
- Congenital and trauma craniofacial repair
- Microsurgery
- Hand surgery
- Peripheral nerve repair
- Burn and wound repair
- Limb salvage
Division of Plastic Surgery Research Program
The UC San Diego Division of Plastic Surgery Research Program offers medical students and graduates a year-long, immersive experience in academic plastic surgery. Research scholars work alongside faculty mentors on innovative projects spanning microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, gender-affirming surgery, and advanced reconstructive techniques, such as Jaw in a Day and Face in a Day. Since its launch in 2018, the program has produced numerous publications, presentations, and clinical advancements — serving as a proven pathway toward competitive residency placement in plastic surgery.
The application for medical students (UC San Diego and non-UC San Diego), residents, and international medical graduates interested in pursuing research with our division is currently open until February 15, 2026 with a July 2026 start date. If interested, please apply here: UC San Diego Plastics Research Application
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Interest Group
The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Interest Group's mission is to educate students and expose them to opportunities in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery through talks, panels and educational workshops.
SURG 445: Plastic Surgery Sub-Internship
Surg 445 is a four-week rotation designed for fourth-year students interested in pursuing a plastic surgery residency, particularly at UC San Diego Division of Plastic Surgery. The students are fully immersed in the didactic, research and surgical schedules in the division. Students are expected to attend plastic surgery grand rounds and resident didactic sessions, as well as weekly research team meetings.
How to Apply
To apply, contact our plastic surgery medical student education coordinator: