Advised by Assistant Professor of Surgery Meredith Collins, M.D., the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery SIG was created in 2016 to give students a window into the specialty through events such as suture clinics, meet and greets with UVM plastic surgeons, and shadowing opportunities. According SIG leader Zach Ehret ’20 the goal is to provide students with information about plastic surgery procedures, lifestyle, research opportunities, and the field’s overall place in the medical world.
UVM medical students participate in a suture clinic hosted by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Student Interest Group on Tuesday, November 28, 2017.
The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRG) Student Interest Group (SIG) is advised by Assistant Professor of Surgery Meredith Collins, M.D., who specializes in breast reconstruction for breast cancer survivors. The SIG was created in 2016 not only to increase interest in the specialty but to also, in Zach Ehret's '20 words, to help fellow students "gain perspective not only [into different plastic surgery] procedures, but [into] lifestyle, research opportunities, and [the field's] overall place in the medical world." SIG member and fellow Class of 2020 student Gesca Borchardt adds, "...We created the SIG because this area is a little misunderstood. There is an inclination to think Plastic Surgery is more cosmetic and we hope to explore the reconstructive side of it."
Throughout the year, the SIG hosts events such as meet and greets with various UVM plastic surgeons, encourages attendance at Morbidity and Mortality sessions with plastic surgeons, and facilitates shadowing opportunities. This past Tuesday, the SIG hosted a suture clinic led by Dr. Collins in the anatomy lab.
Ehret is passionate about the opportunities the SIG offers and encourages fellow students to join, noting that involvement in the group will allow them to "gain insight into one of the most innovative, exciting, and important fields in medicine."