The USF Health Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Microsurgery Fellowship offers advanced training in the full spectrum of reconstructive microsurgery. This one-year, non-ACGME fellowship provides comprehensive exposure to complex reconstructive techniques at two premier institutions, Tampa General Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center.

Our program is designed for surgeons who have completed accredited plastic surgery training and wish to gain mastery in free tissue transfer, lymphatic surgery, peripheral nerve reconstruction, and complex extremity and oncologic reconstruction. Fellows will develop autonomy in patient management while benefiting from close mentorship by experienced microsurgeons.

Fellows participate in a high-volume, multidisciplinary reconstructive practice encompassing:

• Breast reconstruction (DIEP, PAP, TUG, SGAP and stacked flaps, as well as traditional implant and pedicled flap options)
• Lymphatic surgery (lymphovenous bypass and immediate lymphatic reconstruction)
• Extremity reconstruction (traumatic and oncologic limb salvage, nerve transfer, and tendon reconstruction)
• Head and neck, and trunk reconstruction following oncologic resection or trauma

The fellow performs between 125-150 microsurgical cases annually, with extensive involvement in preoperative planning, intraoperative decision-making, and postoperative management. Ample exposure is provided to both traditional microsurgical techniques and emerging technologies such as robotic-assisted microsurgery. The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) is among the first institutions in the United States to incorporate the Symani® Surgical System, a cutting-edge robotic platform designed specifically for microsurgery. Fellows gain early exposure to robotic-assisted microsurgical techniques and participate in ongoing protocol development and case integration for this emerging technology.

Formal didactics include weekly conferences, case reviews, and journal clubs. The fellow participates in the annual University of South Florida Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) Microsurgery Course, gaining experience as both learner and instructor. Active engagement in resident education is encouraged, fostering development as an academic surgeon-educator.

Fellows are expected to complete at least one research or quality-improvement project suitable for presentation or publication. Ongoing areas of investigation include clinical outcomes in microsurgical breast and lymphatic reconstruction, nerve regeneration, and innovation in microsurgical instrumentation and robotics. USF Health is at the forefront of robotic-assisted microsurgery research, utilizing the Symani^® Surgical System to explore its applications in free tissue transfer, super microsurgery, and lymphatic reconstruction. 

Tampa General Hospital, the region’s only Level I trauma and burn center, provides a rich experience in reconstructive microsurgery for trauma, oncologic reconstruction, burns, and complex wound coverage. 

Moffitt Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, offers exposure to advanced oncologic reconstruction and multidisciplinary care. Together, these institutions deliver a diverse and high-acuity clinical experience unmatched in the Southeast.

• Duration: 1 year
• Positions per year: 1
• Start date: August 1
• Eligibility: Graduates of accredited plastic surgery residency programs
• Accreditation: Non-ACGME fellowship
• Application: Through the San Francisco Match (Plastic Surgery – Microsurgery Fellowship Match)
• Interview invitations: Typically extended in March
• Start date: August annually

USF Health Making Life Better