Program Overview

Medical College of Wisconsin Microsurgery Fellowship

About the Program

The Department of Plastic Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin offers a one-year fellowship in reconstructive microsurgery. The program, which started in 2009, offers advanced training in microvascular technique and complex reconstruction. The fellowship encompasses the entire breadth of reconstructive procedures, both oncologic and traumatic. Fellows will have in-depth involvement with preoperative planning, a high-volume operative experience, and post-operative continuity of care.

This comprehensive fellowship includes a broad range of direct clinical experience in the reconstruction of acquired mastectomy defects following breast cancer surgery (free TRAM, DIEP, SIEA, PAP), lymphedema surgery, reconstruction of head and neck deformities traumatic and ablative, reconstruction of sarcoma resections throughout the body, facial paralysis with the use of free functional muscle transfer, and reconstruction of lower extremity deformities and wounds following vehicular trauma.

Training sites include Froedtert Hospital and Children's Wisconsin.

Program Director

• John A. LoGiudice, MD
  • Professor

Teaching Staff

• John A. LoGiudice, MD
  • Professor
• Patrick C. Hettinger, MD
  • Associate Professor
• Kate Buretta Krucoff, MD
  • Assistant Professor
• Nelson Agustin Rodriguez-Unda, MD
  • Assistant Professor

Current Fellow

• Adrian Battiston, MD
  • Microsurgery Fellow

Goals and Objectives

• To be able to evaluate and provide multiple reconstructive options for complex surgical defects of the head and neck, trunk, or extremities
• Understand the technologic, pharmacologic, and physiologic principles and postoperative monitoring of free flaps
• Understand how to recognize, troubleshoot, and treat microsurgical complications, such as flap thrombosis
• Explain the preoperative workup necessary to perform microsurgical procedures and recognize anatomic problems that would limit or alter the patient's ability to undergo a microsurgical procedure
• Master the basic microsurgical techniques, including microneural repair and microsurgical anastomosis with the opportunity to sharpen microsurgery skills in the plastic surgery laboratory
• Attendance is required at preoperative indications conference, tumor board, plastic surgery grand rounds, and the monthly journal club
• The fellow will complete at least one scholarly research project during the fellowship year
• The fellow will give one grand rounds lecture on any topic within the realm of reconstructive microsurgery

Admission Criteria

• Applicants must be a board-eligible graduate of an ACGME-accredited plastic surgery residency or foreign equivalent.
• International applicants are required to be certified by the ECFMG.
• Applicants must qualify for licensure in Wisconsin.

Application Requirements

• Curriculum vitae
• Medical school transcripts
• Letter of recommendations (including current program director)
• Personal statement

Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Legal Compliance Statement

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, military status, or other legally protected classification. MCW maintains full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations in pursuit of our missions. Consistent with federal guidance, we affirm our commitment to individual merit, fairness, and equal treatment in all aspects of academic and institutional decision-making.

MCW's policies, federal and state laws, and regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment. Employees, learners, students, applicants, or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.