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Brown Surgery PodcastAuthor: Kenneth Lynch, Jr., PhD, APRN-CNP
Local Podcast Covering Surgically Relevant Topics Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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The General Surgery to Plastics Pathway featuring Drs. Reena Bhatt, MD & Amy Maselli, MD
Episode 12
Tuesday, 18 August, 2026
Join host Dr. Daniel Beltre, MD, a Chief resident in the Brown General Surgery training program who recently matched into an independent plastic surgery program, alongside co-host and current ACS fellow Dr. Ryan Durocher, MD, as they explore the demanding pathway from general surgery to plastic surgery. Featuring board-certified plastic surgeons and microsurgeons Dr. Amy Maselli, MD and Dr. Reena Bhatt, MD this episode provides an essential roadmap for residents aiming to navigate this highly competitive transition. The panel delves into the strategic timeline for independent applicants, emphasizing the importance of declaring interest as early as the PGY-1 year to build necessary connections and establish mentorships. The guests discuss how to balance heavy clinical workloads, highlighting that becoming an excellent general surgery resident and mastering foundational skills like critical care and tissue handling is actually the most important first step toward plastic surgery success. Moving beyond the operating room, Drs. Maselli and Bhatt break down application essentials, advising candidates to focus on high-quality, specialty-specific research rather than a high volume of generic publications, and noting that a glowing recommendation letter from a close mentor often outweighs a standard letter from a highly recognized name. Finally, the episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the residency interview process, providing actionable advice on how independent applicants can confidently demonstrate their maturity and share their unique personal motivations. Whether you are an intern just discovering your passion for the field or a senior resident gearing up for the match, this discussion delivers an insider’s guide to succeeding in the fast-paced world of academic plastic surgery.
