Senior Residents Conference: Focus on your future
New speakers and an evolving program will highlight this year's Senior Residents Conference (SRC) during Plastic Surgery The Meeting (PSTM) 2024 in San Diego. We invite you to spend a full day networking with your resident colleagues and some of the specialty's leaders. The SRC is a joint effort between ASPS, the Young Plastic Surgeons Steering Committee and the American Council of Educators in Plastic Surgery (ACEPS). The SRC co-chairs this year are Phuong Nguyen, MD; Brett Phillips, MD, MBA; Raj Sawh-Martinez, MD.
The resident program, which will take place Wednesday, Sept. 25, serves as the unofficial kick off of PSTM, the largest plastic surgery meeting in the world. PSTM24 brings together the best and brightest in our specialty and we want you to experience the energetic educational and entertaining offerings that are available at our annual meeting – and begin the experience with an exclusive day of resident-focused content.
Targeted education
As you head towards the completion of residency, you will likely have questions about topics that aren't routinely covered in training. We have done our best to put together a day's worth of pertinent information and opportunities for dialogue broken into small, palatable segments most relevant to the seasoned resident. The day starts with breakfast and a warm welcome from ASPS leadership.
We will explore the current landscape for plastic surgeons and discuss what most first-time contracts include – and what you should consider going into a contract negotiation. Listen to real-life stories from in-practice surgeons of how to get started in practice and how to remain agile when faced with unexpected challenges. Speakers will be upfront and honest about their experiences.
Navigating the job market means setting priorities, identifying where you want to practice and making time to engage in an active search. Should you consider pursuing a career in rural/underserved plastic surgery? Is it a good idea to get a job where you trained? Our experienced faculty will provide insights on the realities and rewards of these career choices. You will hear straightforward advice on how to network, interview and land a job – as well as invaluable tips on building the practice you want in academic, employed or private settings.
Panelists will speak candidly about mistakes made, things they wish they had known when they were a senior resident and the barriers that exist in the market for new-to-practice surgeons. Before the lunch break, four accomplished plastic surgeons will discuss their experiences and advice for starting a family while being a plastic surgeon. Ample time will also be available during the program for questions and to gain forthright answers from all faculty panelists.
Once you are in practice, becoming board certified is the next logical step. The afternoon session includes a presentation with tips for oral board collection, followed by important information from ABPS Executive Director Keith Brandt, MD. This year's SRC also will see the return of the "Hiring a Candidate for an Academic Position" panel - an exciting opportunity for you to learn what distinguished academic chairs look for when reviewing a resume. This is your chance to ask questions and interact. The program concludes with important talks on the principles of personal financial planning and how to get paid.
This year's Resident Reception will take place Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, providing another opportunity to mingle with other residents over cocktails and network with leaders of the specialty who quite possibly could be your future employer.
We thank Advanced Reconstructive Surgery Alliance (ARSA), Solventum and Modernizing Medicine for sponsoring this year's SRC. We are grateful for their generous support of our resident education programs.
Abstract presentation
An integral part of both SRC and PSTM is the opportunity to present your research during the Resident Scientific Sessions on Thursday, Sept. 26. Abstract submissions were accepted through April 24, and the best paper selections and resident author names will be announced in an issue of PSN later this year.
Registration
For Senior Residents planning to attend Wednesday's SRC, registration is required ($475). Members of the Residents/Fellows Forum save $100 ($375). The fee is necessary to cover the educational sessions, meals and the Resident Reception.
On behalf of this year's co-chairs, we look forward to seeing you in San Diego. For more information, to register or to keep up-to-date with deadlines and developments, go to www.plasticsurgerythemeeting.com and click on the "Residents" tab.