The plastic surgery division continues to be quite active clinically, with adjustments in the residency program and research grants.
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Drs. Galiano |
Research
The Wound Healing laboratory has been very active under the joint direction of Drs. Thomas Mustoe and Robert Galiano. Funding has been renewed from the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine (strategies to reduce scaring, and oxidative injury), and continues from the NIH (P20) to look at the role of epithelium in scarring as well as industry funding from several sources (notably Excaliard to study antisense therapeutics for anti-scarring). Two major grants have been submitted to the Department of Defense to examine the role of biofilm in chronic wounds utilizing a novel animal, and stem cells, as a therapy for reduction in scarring and a regenerative phenotype in response to tissue injury.
Education
The division is planning to add a rotation at the VA beginning in July to replace the rotations at ENH; additional rotations are also planned at NMH. The Shriners Hospital has reduced operating room time and clinics secondary to the reduction in their endowment. This change will allow increased flexibility in scheduling patients in the residents clinic and increasing clinic time. Our residents have been above the 90th percentile nationally in numbers of cases performed. A number of cases at NMH are covered only by a physicians assistant, so we are optimistic that the residents experience will not suffer. A lack of sufficient clinic time on several rotations has been an issue in the past and the above changes will ensure that appropriate continuity in following patients pre- and postoperatively improves. We are confident that the operating experience will continue to be exceptional.
Clinical Care
Clinically, Dr. Bruce Bauer has stepped down as Chief at Children’s Memorial Hospital and reduced his operating time there significantly. A search committee has been formed to select a new chief. Dr. Julie Corcoran continues in her role as director of the Children’s residency rotation. Dr. Neil Fine is leaving the NMFF group to start his own practice at NMH. Overall, the volume of cases in plastic surgery which had increased by about 50% in the preceding 4 years has leveled off but hasn’t dropped over the last year.
