Commonly Asked Questions
- Integrated residency applicants will apply through Plastic Surgery Common Application
- Independent residency applicants will apply via SF Match
Currently we are approved for one categorical spot in each plastic surgery program: Independent and integrated.
- Our integrated program received more than 400 applications for the 2024 inaugural match year.
- The independent program receives between 80-120 application per year.
We do not have a firm cut-off, however, generally speaking our residents are above the 50th percentile national in their standardized exams.
Yes, residents regularly present at departmental grand rounds, journal clubs, and morbidity and mortality conferences. In addition, each resident is expected to present at a local, regional, national or international meeting at least once during their residency. By the end of residency, most residents have given 20-30 brief presentations and gained extensive experience in researching, organizing and presenting lectures.
There is a VA Medical Center in Omaha, however, our residents do not rotate at the VA.
Yes. We have both a wet lab and a surgical simulation lab located in our state-of-the-art simulation center at the Davis Global Center.
Nebraska Medicine is the largest medical provider in Nebraska, and our residents see a wide range of both routine and complex cases throughout their training. Omaha has a great balance clinically between bread and butter plastic surgery to highly complex reconstructive cases as a tertiary referral center.
Residents receive 20 vacation days per academic year. Please refer to the benefits page for additional information regarding resident vacation and other leave.
Yes, residents in good academic standing receive educational funds each year which they can use to purchase materials such as textbooks, journal subscriptions, or use to supplement their travel budget for an approved conference. Residents receive paid educational leave, up to five days per academic year, to attend required local meetings and conferences, and senior residents receive paid leave and funding to attend a national scientific or educational conference. Additional funding is available to residents in any year who are invited to present a paper or poster at a national meeting. Residents wishing to travel internationally for a conference must use vacation time and personal funds.
In addition to the resident room library, our residents have online and in-person access to UNMC’s Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library, which has a full array of both print and electronic journals. The library also includes small group study spaces, meeting areas, a coffee shop and a 3D printing lab. The library has flexible hours, including 24/7 badge access to some areas.
Residents are not required to purchase their own surgical loupes. The program purchases surgical loupes for incoming residents (first year only).
Yes, all residents participate in research and quality improvement projects and are expected to give an annual research presentation each year. Monthly research meetings are held to discuss new and ongoing projects. Many of our residents have collaborated with multiple members of our faculty on various projects as their interests grow and change during their training. Both institutional review board and statistical support is available through the university.
Residents are expected publish at least one paper in a peer-reviewed journal or present at least one paper at a regional or national meeting during residency, although most residents publish several papers or book chapters during their training. Our faculty are happy to advise residents on writing and submitting papers. In addition to the usual publication venues, UNMC residents can also submit papers to our own Graduate Medical Education Research Journal, which is especially designed to provide a platform for residents and fellows to publish scholarly work.
Yes. All house officers received free parking for the duration of their training.
No, but housing in Omaha is plentiful and relatively inexpensive when compared to the national market.
Omaha has a lot of affordable residential options, including options within walking distance. Single residents and couples often choose to live in nearby neighborhoods known for their entertainment and restaurants, including the Blackstone District, the Old Market, Midtown Crossing, Dundee and Benson. Residents with growing families may choose to live in more suburban neighborhoods such as Bellevue, Papillion or West Omaha, which still only have average commute times of 20 minutes. The city itself is easy to navigate with plenty of housing options: from downtown apartments to large family houses in the suburbs to quiet neighborhoods near campus.
Omaha has a thriving economy, a low unemployment rate and many job opportunities for family members. In addition to medicine, our largest industries include financial services, transport/logistics, agribusiness and military/defense. University of Nebraska is also a great choice for any family member still pursuing their education. Our residents and their immediate family members are eligible for tuition credit of 15 credit hours per year at any of our four campuses: University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney and University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Yes, residents do need a car. Residents rotate at a variety of clinical sites that are not all on the main campus. Also, Omaha’s four-season climate means that summers are hot and winters can be cold and icy. If feasible, we recommend a car with all-wheel drive for safe commuting in winter weather.
No. All applications must be submitted directly through the appropriate application process: Plastic Surgery Common Application for integrated resident applicants and SF Match for independent resident applicants
Yes. We welcome international graduates, provided they meet our criteria.
Our Office of Global Engagement works in international activities and services.
Due to the restrictions involved with an H1 visa, we prefer to sponsor J1; however, we will consider H1 visas on an individual basis.
No. We only accept J1 or H1B visa applicants.
- Six-year integrated residency: No, but you need to be eligible for ECFMG certification by successful completion of USMLE I and II when you submit your application.
- Three-year independent residency: Yes, you must provide ECFMG certification at the time of your application.
All applications are reviewed by our program director and associate program director. Upon selecting candidates for interview, an invitation is extended through the program coordinator. Applicants will receive communication regardless of the decision to interview.
The number of interviews is based on the overall number of qualified candidates and varies each year.
UNMC is competitive with other programs. You can review our current salary and benefits information.