Plastic Surgery – Independent Fellowship Program
Mission & Vision
The mission of the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery is to enable our fellows to acquire satisfactory clinical skills and a sound basic fund of didactic knowledge; ultimately allowing them to independently practice their chosen specialty of plastic surgery. This is primarily achieved through the progressive process of increasing the residents’ responsibilities and continued self-evaluation based on faculty assessment of individual fellows’ level of achievement in their ability, clinical experience, education and judgment. The ultimate goal and expectation is for every patient to be treated with dignity and respect, and for every individual within our division to create a collegial working environment.
Mission & Vision
The mission of the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery is to enable our fellows to acquire satisfactory clinical skills and a sound basic fund of didactic knowledge; ultimately allowing them to independently practice their chosen specialty of plastic surgery. This is primarily achieved through the progressive process of increasing the residents’ responsibilities and continued self-evaluation based on faculty assessment of individual fellows’ level of achievement in their ability, clinical experience, education and judgment. The ultimate goal and expectation is for every patient to be treated with dignity and respect, and for every individual within our division to create a collegial working environment.
Plastic Surgery – Independent Fellowship Program Director’s Welcome
The goal of the University of Miami/Jackson Health System Plastic Surgery – Independent Fellowship Program is to guarantee the completion of training of each plastic surgery fellow and to ensure each has developed an educationally, ethically and professionally sound foundation for the future independent practice of their chosen specialty.
Plastic Surgery – Independent Fellowship Program Director’s Welcome
The goal of the University of Miami/Jackson Health System Plastic Surgery – Independent Fellowship Program is to guarantee the completion of training of each plastic surgery fellow and to ensure each has developed an educationally, ethically and professionally sound foundation for the future independent practice of their chosen specialty.
All of these factors have allowed us to develop an excellent, well-rounded teaching program utilizing all the resources available both within our institution and our surrounding community. Our entire faculty remains committed to providing an optimal educational environment to our fellows and providing continued excellence in patient-centric care.
-Devinder Singh, MD
Description
All of these factors have allowed us to develop an excellent, well-rounded teaching program utilizing all the resources available both within our institution and our surrounding community. Our entire faculty remains committed to providing an optimal educational environment to our fellows and providing continued excellence in patient-centric care.
-Devinder Singh, MD
Plastic Surgery – Independent Fellowship Program Directors & Associate Directors
Devinder Singh, MD
Director
Wrood Kassira, MD
Associate Program Director
Sara Danker, MD
Assistant Program Director
Devinder Singh, MD
Director
Wrood Kassira, MD
Associate Program Director
Sara Danker, MD
Assistant Program Director
Fast Facts
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
Number of Plastic Surgery – Independent Fellows Per Year?
1
Duration of Plastic Surgery – Independent Fellowship Program?
3 years
Clinical Experience
Year 1
Year one has a heavy emphasis on plastic surgery both at Jackson Memorial Hospital, our Level I trauma center for Miami-Dade County and UHealth Tower, a University of Miami Hospital and Clinics Facility. Fellows are exposed to the wide variety of plastic surgical experiences in both traumatic and elective settings. The vast majority of the year is spent in reconstruction rather than cosmetic surgery. There is also a one-to-two-month block dedicated to hand surgery on the orthopedic hand service, and a one-month block at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for exposure to pediatric plastic surgery.
Year 1 Rotations Example (subject to change):
Jackson Memorial Hospital/UHealth: 10 months
Hand/Micro: 2 months
Year 2
Year two of the fellowship is divided into equal amounts of rotations at each of our three main sites: Jackson Memorial Hospital, UHealth Tower and the Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The resident/fellow is provided graduated responsibility as compared to the first year, and is exposed to more complex reconstructive surgery including dozens of microsurgical three flaps as the primary surgeon. A two-month rotation on hand surgery, both on the orthopedic and plastic services further strengthens the hand surgical experience. One month is also provided at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatric plastic surgery.
Year 2 Rotations Example (subject to change):
Jackson Memorial Hospital/UHealth: 6 months
VA: 4 months
Hand/Micro: 2 months
Year 3
Year three is the final year of the plastic surgery independent fellowship. Fellows serve as administrative chiefs for equal periods. Under faculty guidance they supervise the clinic at Jackson Memorial Hospital where they evaluate candidates for surgical procedures and schedule them for surgery, including cosmetic surgery. This serves as an invaluable bridge to eventual independent practice upon graduation. The year also provides experiences in cosmetic surgery, dermatology, oculoplastics, pediatric plastic surgery and plastic surgery.
Year 3 Rotations Example (subject to change):
Jackson Memorial Hospital /UHealth
Cosmetics
Oculoplastics
Dermatology
Research
Pediatric Plastic Surgery
Additional fellowship experiences include, but are not limited to:
Aesthetic Rotation: Chief Residents have an opportunity to rotate through private offices of a number of our voluntary faculty. This gives the opportunity to participate more in aesthetic surgery and practice business development.
Laser Experience: To increase the residents’ experience on lasers, Dr. Mark Nestor’s office is available for our residents. Arrangements should be confirmed with the plastic surgery program director.
Mentoring System: The large and diverse faculty offers very broad training as well as opportunities for clinical, research and career mentorship.
The University of Miami/Jackson Health System uniquely provides each resident an assigned staff member from the full-time or voluntary faculty to enhance each individual’s growth and development as a plastic surgeon. The goal of this mentoring system is for each resident to develop an ongoing relationship with an experienced faculty member in order to discuss any individual concerns and progress, and to obtain appropriate advice and guidance in a casual, non- stressful environment. In addition, the mentor may assist in eventual practice development and career choices. This faculty member will support the resident throughout the training program.
Your Faculty
Natalia Fullerton, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical
Helen G. Hui-Chou, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical
John C. Oeltjen, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Zubin J. Panthaki, MD
Director, Hand Surgery Fellowship Professor
Kashyap Tadisina, MD
Assistant Professor
Seth R. Thaller, MD, DMD
Professor
Wrood Kassira, MD
Associate Professor
Associate Program Director
Devinder Singh, MD
Chief & Program Director, Division of Plastic Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Sara J. Danker, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical
Assistant Program Director
Juan R. Mella-Catinchi, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Clinical
Kyle Y. Xu, MD
Associate Professor
Lauren M. Yarholar, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical
Alumni Placements Include:
University of California, Irvine
University of Iowa
University of Miami
University of Missouri
University of Pittsburgh
University of South Carolina
Alumni Placements Include:
University of California, Irvine
University of Iowa
University of Miami
University of Missouri
University of Pittsburgh
University of South Carolina