Research is an integral component of plastic surgery residency training at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein School of Medicine. Residents are required to participate in independent academic scholarly activities focused on hypothesis driven research. Each resident is encouraged to participate in one research project per year. Faculty are available as mentors and guide many projects but residents are also encouraged to develop independent research questions based on interest and clinical problems.

Research Meeting

Lead by Dr. Joseph Ricci and Dr. Katie Weichman, the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery holds a monthly, in person, research meeting on Friday evenings to facilitate team building and research focus. These meetings are additionally accessible via Zoom to encourage participation.

Design and Conduct of Clinical Research Course

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine offers an 8-week seminar course to introduce students/residents to clinical research with a focus on epidemiology and study design. The course is offered yearly and is conducted during the evening twice weekly. Residents are encouraged to participate in the course.

Research Focus

3-D Technology

Dr. Oren Tepper and Dr. Evan Garfein have pioneered research related to 3-D technology including use in free fibular flaps and rhinoplasty guidance. We additionally have an in-house 3-D laboratory that provides many opportunities for inquiry.

Health Outcomes

Comparative effectiveness research continues to be the mainstay of investigation within plastic surgery. Our underrepresented patient population offers many unique perspectives to the plastic surgery literature. We utilize validated patient reported outcome measures tools including the BREAST-Q in routine patient care to provide useful data for clinical investigation.

Research Day

The Department of Surgery sponsors and annual Research Day in June of each year to highlight the departments research efforts. All surgical residents, excluding interns, are required to submit an abstract for a unique research project in March of each academic year. Abstracts are judged by faculty and selected for presentation Research Day.

Past Winners of Research Day

2017: George Kamel (PGY-5) and Steven Sultan (PGY-6)
2018: Jillian Schreiber (PGY-2)
2019: Frank Lalezar (PGY-5) and Steven Sultan (PGY-8)
2020: Lyahn Hwang (PGY-2) and Jillian Schreiber (PGY-4)

Local, Regional, and National Meetings

Residents are encouraged and have the opportunity to and present their research at local, regional, and national meetings. Abstract submission requires prior approval by the Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Recent Research Awards/Achievements

Plastic Surgery Research Council Mini Meeting Resident Presentation (June 18,2020)
Beyond the Abdomen: Extending The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Pathway to Thigh Based Microsurgery. David Nash, MD, Nicolas Greige, BS, Katie Weichman MD