Faculty SynopsisResearchTraining OverviewMatch and Application Details

 Faculty Synopsis

Emory plastic surgeons perform breast lifts, reconstruction (especially immediately after mastectomy), augmentation, and reduction; correction of craniofacial and congenital abnormalities; body contouring; oculoplastic surgery; pediatric plastic surgery; head and neck reconstruction; free tissue transfer; microsurgery; and surgery of the hand and extremity. The division's significant role in developing endoscopic techniques and equipment has made it a trusted provider of the various endoscopic methods used for breast reconstruction and augmentation; rejuvenation of the forehead, face, and neck; and contouring of the abdomen.

Dr. T. Roderick Hester, the William G. Hamm Chair of Plastic Surgery, received his medical degree and completed his general surgery and plastic surgery residencies at Emory and was an associate clinical professor at The Emory Clinic for 15 years. In addition to his full-time position as chief, Dr. Hester directs Paces Plastic Surgery, his own highly regarded private practice clinic — division surgeons perform non-insurance covered procedures at The Emory Aesthetic Surgery Center at Paces. A prominent speaker and educator, Dr. Hester has contributed numerous innovations in plastic surgery techniques, has received various awards and honors, and has been listed as one of the leading plastic surgeons in the country by both local and national publications.

Five other world-class surgeons complete the faculty roster:

		Dr. John Culbertson is the chief of plastic surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital. He is fellowship trained in hand surgery and microsurgery, maintains robust practices in breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgery, and was the editor of Operative Techniques in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from 1993-2002.
		Dr. Albert Losken specializes in pediatric plastic surgery, trauma, and general and reconstructive plastic surgery with an emphasis on breast and head and neck reconstruction. He is also chief of plastic surgery at Emory University Hospital and directs plastic surgery services at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
		Dr. Grant Carlson, chief of surgical services at Emory Crawford Long Hospital, is board certified in both general surgery and plastic surgery and specializes in treating melanoma as well as treating and reconstructing the damage caused by head and neck and breast cancer.
		Previously at the division of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center, Dr. Erica Anderson joined Emory in July 2007. Her clinical interests include breast surgery, microsurgical breast reconstruction, body contouring after weight loss and wound care.
		Dr. Linda Cendales has dual training in hand and microsurgery and transplant surgery. In addition to her clinical activities as a reconstructive surgeon, she is the director of the Emory Transplant Center's Laboratory of Microsurgery and Composite Tissue Transplantation (CTA). CTA is the re-transplantation of multiple tissues such as skin, muscle, bone, nerve, and tendon as a functional unit. Dr. Cendales is working to advance this burgeoning discipline from the bench to the bedside and plans on training the next experts in the procedure.

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 Research

High profile studies undertaken by Emory plastic surgeons include investigations into the relationship of breast implants to autoimmune disease, evaluation of various methods of breast reconstruction, the effects of radiation therapy, and outcome studies. Emory surgeons played a crucial role in the development of muscle and musculocutaneous flaps, the foundation for the more sophisticated techniques that are now standard for reconstructive surgery of the breast. The division's involvement in head and neck reconstruction stimulated the development of new forms of cervical esophageal reconstruction via free jejunal transposition and the use of the omentum for craniofacial reconstruction.

Current clinical and basic science research endeavors at Emory include investigation into the advantages of transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty, assessment of the lower extremity free flap for osteomyelitis, and the management of craniofacial anomalies. For more information on current research activities, please contact Dr. Losken, lead clinical research coordinator for the division, at 404.686.1230.

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 Training Overview

During the three-year ACGME-approved training program, residents assume gradually increasing responsibilities in both perioperative and intraoperative patient care. Three-month rotations take place at:

		Emory University Hospital
		Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston and Scottish Rite
		Emory Crawford Long Hospital, where the division's clinical practices are located and residents gain experience in both ambulatory and office settings.
		Grady Memorial Hospital
		Atlanta VA Medical Center

The academic schedule for residents includes weekly grand rounds and resident conferences, a monthly journal club, hand conferences, anatomy teaching sessions and general surgery rounds. In addition to having the opportunity to participate in a microsurgical skills course, residents have access to laboratory facilities for the completion of research projects.

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 Match and Application Details

The three-year plastic surgery residency is approved for nine positions. The three first-year positions are filled through the Plastic Surgery Residency Match of the San Francisco Matching Program. Separate application services are also provided by the Plastic Surgery Central Application Program of Maricopa County Medical Society. For the application process, registering for the Match through SF Match is still required.

Requirements for admission to the training program are set by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and involve completion of a minimum of three years — the final year must be at the senior level — in an accredited, single general surgery residency program or similar program in orthopaedic surgery or otolaryngology. Approval of prior training must be obtained from the board and submitted with the application. Foreign medical graduates must obtain certification and sponsorship from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates prior to being considered for admission.

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