Welcome from the Program Director

At the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Plastic Surgery Residency, we strive to provide broad-based, practical training across the entire spectrum of plastic surgery with the primary goal of producing competent and ethical plastic surgeons with superior operative skills. The program emphasizes the importance of excellence in medical knowledge, provides exposure to cutting-edge research, and focuses on teaching exceptional operative technique in order to prepare our residents to be successful in any career path they choose, including advanced fellowship training, a career in academic plastic surgery, or confidently proceeding directly into practice.

Our program is a reflection of Las Vegas with a diverse patient population and a wide range of plastic surgery needs, from cancer and trauma reconstruction to congenital to aesthetic. We have the great privilege of working closely with our primary and adjunct faculty to provide not just experiences with the full spectrum of plastic surgery, but exposure to world-class experts in their respective fields of subspecialty who serve as teachers and mentors to our trainees. The city itself offers a great canvas for training, as well as lifestyle outside of work; there is something here for everyone.

I am proud of the camaraderie and supportive atmosphere of our training program, as well as the emphasis on early operative experience in plastic surgery. Finding a good fit for six years of residency training can be a difficult process and I encourage you to ask as many questions as possible of me, the faculty, and, most importantly, our current residents.

Thank you for your interest in our program and congratulations on choosing to pursue a career in the exceptional and rewarding specialty of plastic and reconstructive surgery!

Ashley L. Pistorio, MD, MS, FACS

Contact

Please contact us about questions you may have regarding your application to the program and interview.

Phone: 702-671-2273

What Makes Our Program Unique?

  • University Medical Center (UMC), Nevada’s only Level I trauma center
  • UMC treats patients from all over the Southwest and California, plus visitors from around the world
  • Exposure to academic and private aspects of plastic surgery

  • Dedicated didactic time every Tuesday morning with faculty
  • Weekly lectures based on Neligan’s Plastic Surgery Sixth-Volume text
  • Guest lecturers from across the globe

  • 13 months of plastic surgery experience during the first three years of residency
  • Senior resident rotations consist of three-month blocks within each subspecialty in plastic surgery
  • During the chief year, residents have three months of elective time to work in the cosmetic clinic, which is staffed by a full-time faculty member

  • Five full-time plastic surgery faculty with specialization in areas of hand surgery, microsurgery, breast reconstruction, craniofacial, and general reconstruction and aesthetic surgery
  • Numerous clinical faculty and dedicated rotations with community private practice physicians, as well as Nellis Air Force Base plastic surgeons

  • Previous graduates now have careers in academic and private practice
  • Former residents of the program have completed fellowships in microsurgery, craniofacial, oculoplastics, aesthetics, hand, and pediatric plastic surgery

  • Affordable cost of living
  • No state income tax
  • World-class entertainment
  • Beautiful weather and an abundance of outdoor activities

Curriculum

PGY - I

Residents are expected to acquire fundamental skills in the diagnosis of surgical diseases and the establishment of therapeutic plans. Residents will function as a junior resident on multiple services including general surgery, its subspecialties, and other specialties related to plastic surgery. There is also dedicated time on the plastic surgery service during this year to allow early exposure. In this capacity, residents will frequently perform admission history and physical examinations and see a wide range of clinical situations. These experiences will help the resident to develop the capacity to diagnose surgical illnesses, differentiate non-surgical issues, and begin to formulate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Procedurally, the residents are expected to become facile in the performance of several procedures. Specific documentation of supervised training in placement of chest tubes, insertion of central venous catheters, arterial catheters, endotracheal intubation, and conscious sedation is required and must be documented on the provided forms. In addition, the resident is expected to begin to develop a knowledge of anatomy in the operating room and to develop skills in the areas of suturing, knot tying, and performance of minor surgical procedures.

PGY - II

Year two is an extension of the first year in terms of goals and responsibilities. Residents are likely to serve as junior residents on one of the multiple services including plastic surgery and will continue to do the majority of admission history and physical examinations and consultations. The goal is for the resident to develop sophisticated capabilities in the realm of surgical diagnosis and planning of treatment. At this level, the resident is also expected to begin to develop and demonstrate competency in more sophisticated areas of patient management, such as in the intensive care unit.

Procedurally, the resident is expected to continue on the trajectory of developing excellent skills in the operating room with instrument technique, including sewing and knot tying. At this level, the resident is frequently allowed to perform moderately advanced surgical procedures under supervision; the other principal goal for this year is developing advanced skills in patient care, including evaluation and development of a plan of care.

PGY - III

In many ways, this is the most challenging year of the residency as the resident progresses from a junior resident to senior resident status. This year is spent entirely or almost entirely on the plastic surgery service.

At this level, the resident is expected to develop the capability of focused diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and to develop skills as an independent patient care-giver. In addition, at the procedural level, the resident will be expected to develop competence in planning and carrying out routine surgical procedures including core general plastic surgery procedures, as well as playing an integral role in advanced plastic surgery procedures, such as complex reconstruction.

PGY - IV

This year initiates the transition of focusing even more on the resident’s chosen specialty of plastic and reconstructive surgery and confirming any subspecialty interests to support the application to advanced fellowship opportunities if desired. There is extensive experience in clinical reconstructive microsurgery, allowing the resident to gain progressive skills and experience in managing these complex patients prior to the final key years of training. There is also a first exposure to our dedicated aesthetic community faculty rotation to gain key skills and experience in caring for patients in the realm of aesthetic private practice.

This year also incorporates subspecialty training in areas specifically applicable to plastic surgery including ophthalmology, dermatology, and oral/maxillofacial surgery. By the end of this year, the resident should have a good grasp of the wide scope of problems evaluated and managed by the plastic surgeon and be well versed in the team approach to patient management.

PGY - V

At this level, the resident is expected to develop the ability to independently diagnose, to order appropriate diagnostic studies, and to formulate differential diagnosis and treatment plans for plastic surgery patients. By the end of the year, the resident should be fully competent in independent management of routine plastic surgery patients in terms of diagnosis and patient management. The resident should also be capable of performing many plastic surgery procedures with minimal assistance and guidance and should be judged ready to continue on to the sixth and final year where more complex and advanced plastic surgical procedures are performed.

PGY - VI

During this year the resident is given the responsibility of being the chief resident. This will include supervising the junior plastic surgery residents and developing skills to operate and manage patients independently. This year will allow the resident to master all aspects of plastic surgery and gain the confidence to become an independent plastic surgeon, always performing under faculty supervision. The resident will also master all challenges of postoperative care and learn to integrate preoperative planning for elective procedures.

It is mandatory for the resident to satisfactorily complete all requirements of the American Board of Plastic Surgery for admission to the certifying (written) examination, which is taken prior to graduation from their final year of residency training. The American Board of Plastic Surgery publishes these requirements in the annual booklet of Information.

Resident Life

Why Come to Las Vegas for Residency?

Welcome to Las Vegas! Many people equate Las Vegas with "Sin City," nightlife, bars, restaurants, and gambling. And certainly, this is woven into the fabric of our city. However, Las Vegas has so much more to offer than the Strip. Certainly, if urban life and entertainment suit you, then the Strip is right at your fingertips! But with the Sierra Nevada mountains flanking the city, hiking, climbing, even skiing and snowboarding are available, as well as easy access to amazing outdoor activities in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California. There is truly something for everyone. One of the busiest international airports in the U.S. happens to be nestled in the heart of the city, allowing easy access for you to go anywhere you desire, domestic or international. No need to visit home, your family and friends will be waiting in line to come visit you in your new home in fabulous Las Vegas!

Life After Residency

Congratulations to the graduates of the only plastic surgery residency in Nevada! We are so proud of all of the graduates and are confident in their abilities to improve healthcare in Nevada and elsewhere. We wish our former residents the best in their future endeavors.

  • Maxwell Vest, MD — Hand Surgery Fellowship at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke, VA

  • Scott Ogley, MD — Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery, Houston, TX

  • Shawna Kleban, MD — Cosmetic Fellowship at Hunstad/Kortesis/Bharti Cosmetic Center, Huntersville, NC

  • Ashish Francis, MD — Pediatric, Plastic, and Craniofacial Fellowship in Austin, TX

  • Joshua Goldman, MD — Integrated Craniomaxillofacial and Microsurgery Fellowship in Royal Oak, MI

How to Apply

  • Apply online via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). To receive an application, please contact your dean’s office. After you have completed the application, return it to your dean’s office, where it will be loaded into a secure workstation.
  • Your file will be reviewed by members of the residency selection committee once the following items have been received via ERAS:
    • ERAS application
    • Medical school transcript
    • Dean’s letter
    • Three letters of recommendation (at least one from surgery chair)
    • United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step I; USMLE Step II (if available)
  • Applicants wishing to arrange four-week clinical rotations/clerkships should contact the clerkship coordinator at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV by email at marchevis.green@unlv.edu.