Plastic and reconstructive surgery

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine offers a four-week elective rotation in plastic surgery with Geisinger’s Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Geisinger Medical Center. 

Our department cares for patients of all ages who have cosmetic and reconstructive needs. We perform a range of plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, including breast surgery, body contouring after major weight loss, reconstructive surgery for trauma victims (flaps, grafts), cleft lip/palate, Mohs reconstruction, wound care and aesthetic surgery.

You’ll be integrated into our services by becoming active in the daily care of patients. Besides assisting with inpatient rounds and in the operating room, you will see and evaluate outpatients in our clinics in Danville and occasionally State College. You’re expected to study upcoming operating room cases and be prepared to answer questions from staff.

Learn about our Plastic Surgery Residency.

Goals and objectives

The overall educational objective is for you to learn the basic principles of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including suturing technique, wound healing and flaps/grafts.

The main learning objectives of your rotation:

• Learn what plastic surgery is and when patients should be referred to us.
• Learn basic and advanced principles of wound healing.
• Learn principles of skin grafting and flaps.
• Improve suturing technique and how to choose a suture.
• Understand aesthetic surgery and approach of care to this select patient population.
• Improve your understanding of and caring for patients with cleft lip/palate.
• Understand the dynamics of body contouring after major weight loss.