Name: Stephan Barrientos, MD
Medical school you attended/year you graduated:
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 2009
Residency/fellowship at UNMC: Plastic surgery
Program director: Jason Miller MD
How long is your training program and how long have you been at UNMC:
The plastic surgery residency at UNMC is three years. I have been here for approximately three years.
What do you like the most about your training program:
The plastic surgery residency program at UNMC is one of the most unique among plastic surgery programs in the country. As residents, we are given graduated autonomy early on. By our chief year, we are able to run our own clinic and operate on our own patients under the supervision of our attendings.
Because of our robust case volume particularly in cosmetics (ranked in the top 95th percentile), most graduating residents are able to comfortably go into private practice. However, given the high academic standards set by the program, we also are able to match extremely well into fellowships. There is a collegial relationship between the residents and attendings, and they are all approachable and willing to listen to resident input to improve the program.
What challenges do you foresee in graduate medical education in the future:
With more programs transitioning to the integrated model, I do not know how much pressure this program will have to make the transition.
List some accomplishments that you are proud of:
I am proud to have been able to assist in the development of a chief resident clinic. I have had the opportunity to operate on my own patients and follow them through the pre-operative and post-operative period. I think this opportunity is essential for the growth of a plastic surgery resident and helps with the transition to becoming an attending.
I am also proud of assisting in the development of a plastic surgery research program. This program has allowed us to showcase the work we are doing at UNMC at conferences and in publications.
We currently have several projects in the works, in particular, a pressure ulcer-prevention initiative, where the main goal is to reduce the annual incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers at UNMC. This has helped to raise awareness and help implement prevention protocols.
Tell us three things about you that others may not know:
- I enjoy drawing, painting and sculpting and have had my work shown in local museums and galleries.
- For 10 years, I did equestrian riding and participated in horse shows.
- I also like weight lifting, playing the piano and fishing.