University of California San Diego Medical Center Program

Program Identity & Fit

UC San Diego's integrated plastic surgery residency is a university-based, academically rigorous 6-year program built across four distinct clinical campuses—Jacobs Medical Center for complex oncologic and microsurgical reconstruction, Hillcrest as a Level 1 trauma and regional burn center, Rady Children's Health for high-volume craniofacial and pediatric reconstructive surgery, and the VA for microvascular, transgender, and trauma reconstruction. This multi-site structure produces broad exposure to the full spectrum of plastic surgery pathology rather than concentration in a single niche, supported by a heavily structured didactic curriculum (weekly M&M, treatment planning, mock oral boards, journal club) and dedicated anatomy/microsurgery labs. Research is embedded through quarterly resident research conferences, an active departmental research infrastructure led by dedicated vice chairs, and funded medical student research programs, with faculty mentorship available in craniofacial, breast, and reconstructive outcomes work. The program's craniofacial fellowship, named craniofacial/pediatric leadership track, and emphasis on formal oral-board-style case preparation suggest a structured, academically-oriented pathway that values disciplined case documentation, scholarly engagement, and multi-system reconstructive competence over narrow aesthetic focus.