The Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery offers a comprehensive elective subinternship in plastic surgery to fourth-year medical students from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and other medical schools in the United States.

As a student, you gain exposure to the entire spectrum of the specialty under the leadership of Katie E. Weichman, MD, subinternship director.

Areas of study include the following:

• craniofacial surgery
• cleft lip and palate surgery
• microsurgery in trauma
• postcancer ablation reconstruction
• hand surgery
• maxillofacial trauma surgery
• trunk and lower extremity reconstruction
• breast reconstruction
• aesthetic surgery

Rotation Experience

Our elective subinternship in plastic surgery includes a rotation split between the plastic and hand surgery services. You spend two weeks on the plastic surgery service at NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital and Kimmel Pavilion, and two weeks on the plastic and hand surgery services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. By dividing your time between these two facilities, you experience the full breadth of training our department offers and the diversity of the patient populations we serve.

During this time, you become an integral member of the clinical services team and have floor and clinic responsibilities. In the operating room, you gain extensive exposure to fundamental principles of plastic surgery and improve your operative technique and surgical skills. In addition, you acquire a better understanding of the problem-solving and team-oriented approach that is at the core of our mission.

We expect you to be familiar with all patients on service and to develop detailed knowledge of the patients to whom you provide care. We also require you to be prompt and to participate in all team clinical activities, including rounding and outpatient clinics.

Although you are supervised by house staff and faculty during the subinternship rotation, we grant you increasing levels of responsibility throughout the subinternship, which is an invaluable learning experience.

Didactic Program

Our didactic program includes weekly grand rounds, craniofacial and hand conferences, an indications conference at Bellevue, and plastic surgery case reviews.

Weekly Schedule

Mondays: 7:00AM, Bellevue Morning Report

Wednesdays: 6:30AM, Grand Rounds, Monthly Indications Conference; 5:00PM, Hand Surgery Conference

Monthly Conferences

Monthly conferences address the following topics in plastic surgery:

• cleft lip and palate
• ear, nose, and throat; airway
• facial paralysis
• head and neck
• microtia
• nerve and hand
• ophthalmic structures
• peripheral nerves

In addition to acquiring a solid foundation of knowledge in plastic surgery, you are expected to understand the current literature, surgical anatomy, pathophysiology, and anatomic approaches relevant to all cases.

Research Opportunities

If you are interested, clinical research opportunities in all areas of plastic surgery are available with most of the faculty during and after your rotation with us.

Evaluation Process

Our chief residents and selected faculty members, with whom you interact during the subinternship, evaluate you using the format of the standardized plastic surgery letter of recommendation, which is provided to the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) at your request.

Although great importance is placed on your interaction with faculty members, much of your time in the subinternship program is spent with the chief residents, residents, and other team members because of your extensive integration into the team dynamic.

Additionally, you are welcome to ask for letters of recommendation from faculty with whom you have worked during the rotation. The grade you receive for your subinternship is provided to your school, whether it is NYU Grossman School of Medicine or another medical school.

We value this experience as an opportunity to evaluate potential plastic surgery residency candidates and for them to learn more about us. The subinternship is an important part of the residency application and interview process. In addition to your performance during the subinternship rotation, your “fit” with our program and culture is an important factor when we consider interview invitations. Although many subinterns who apply to our program are invited for an interview, completing a subinternship does not guarantee one.

Housing for Visiting Subinterns

One of NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s many strengths is its location in the heart of Manhattan. We realize that this can pose a significant challenge to visiting students with respect to travel, living expenses, and housing. Many visiting subinterns have chosen to stay with friends or family who live in the area. Alternatively, various subletting options are available through the school and other providers. Contact NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Housing Services Office for more information.

Application Requirements

Applicants for our subinternship in plastic surgery should be medical students in their final year of school who are entering the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), also called The Match, for a plastic surgery residency position.

Typical subinterns have a strong academic performance history, have shown a commitment to the field of plastic surgery, and are competitive candidates for our plastic surgery residency program.

Application Process

To apply for our plastic surgery subinternship, we require the following:

• a current CV
• United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) test scores
• a one-page personal statement
• when or if you will be entering the NRMP for plastic and reconstructive surgery

You may also explain why you are interested in our program in your one-page personal statement.

Applications are accepted from February 1 to April 15. Unlike prior years, for this elective, visiting student applications now go through the American Association of Medical College’s Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) program. The VSLO Application Service, also known as VSAS, allows students to view and apply for this elective.

We encourage students to apply early to ensure the greatest flexibility with scheduling. All NYU Grossman School of Medicine students and outside medical students should consult NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Office of Registration and Student Records for additional departmental requirements.

After we review your application, we will contact you regarding scheduling of the elective, along with any additional required paperwork.

For more information, please see the plastic surgery rotation description in our elective catalog.

Scheduling Your Subinternship

We offer five subinternship periods, each accommodating up to four students. These four-week periods span from late May to the end of October.

Dates Offered

May 27, 2024–June 23, 2024

July 1, 2024–July 28, 2024

July 29, 2024–August 25, 2024

August 26, 2024–September 22, 2024

September 30, 2024–October 27, 2024

Additional subinternship spots can be arranged year-round, schedule permitting.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Castaneda-Nakouzi, plastic surgery elective coordinator, at 212-263-1059 or email PlasticSurgerySubinternship@NYULangone.org