Plastic Surgery Residency

Fully accredited by the ACGME, our Plastic Surgery Residency Program integrates a strong didactic program with broad surgical experience.

Integrated Surgical Model

Using an integrated model, our aim is to train plastic surgeons who are eligible and qualified to become board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and who have the abilities to become leaders in our specialty and in their communities.

Two positions are offered each year for the six-year training cycle. Sixteen months are dedicated to integrated core surgery training, tailored to provide graduated responsibility for patient care and technical expertise for a broad range of surgical disciplines.

Plastic surgery residents participate in all aspects of inpatient and outpatient care and are responsible for the focused evaluation and treatment of serious and critically sick or injured patients under close supervision of the attending faculty. Clinical volume is high, and residents work alongside faculty members in all clinical activities including preoperative evaluation, surgery, postoperative care, and follow-up. We are committed to providing hands-on experience to our residents and operative responsibilities are awarded progressively as ability develops.

The Division of Plastic Surgery enjoys and encourages a close camaraderie among both our faculty and residents.

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Medical students watch a surgeon perform a procedure

Resident Resources

About the Albany Med Health System
Albany Medical Center, the anchor of the Albany Med Health System, is one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York State offering a wide range of outstanding clinical care – from routine preventative care to sophisticated cancer and surgical care to life-saving emergency medicine – while teaching the next generation of medical providers and advancing critical biomedical research.

Living in the Capital Region
Albany is a great place to live, learn and work. It is the center of a region known for its robust economy, arts and culture, colleges and universities and recreational opportunities.

Resident Wellness
As a resident or fellow of Albany Medical Center, there are many resources available to you to help manage the demands of being a physician. Our goal is to promote work-life balance and overall wellness by advocating for you and providing you with the tools to reduce burnout, depression, and other stressors you may encounter during your training.

Distinction in Quality and Leadership
This program promotes professional success for physicians through a deeper understanding of Health Systems Science.

Our Program's Rich History

The first Plastic Surgery Service in Albany was established by Dr. W. Brandon Macomber in July 1941. Up until then, there was no plastic surgeon in Albany and cases requiring one were generally sent to New York City or Boston. After three years in the Army, Dr. Macomber returned to Albany in 1946 and continued his practice. Following his return, in 1949, the Plastic Surgery Post-graduate Training Program was created. The original faculty members were; Dr. W. Brandon Macomber, Dr. Mark K. H. Wang, Dr. F. Stanley Hoffmeister, and Dr. Gerald B. Colman.

Daniel Ruter, MD quote
I wanted to find a residency program where I would have a broad exposure to all things plastic surgery yet have sufficient training to pursue a career in any particular aspect I find most interesting. Albany fit the bill perfectly. Camaraderie among the residents is key. They are your friends and family for the next six years.”
Daniel Ruter, MD