Michigan Special Issue: 60 Years of Michigan Plastic Surgery

Stephen W.P. Kemp, PhD

It has been a great pleasure to edit this Special Issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery entitled “60 Years of Michigan Plastic Surgery.” In 1964, the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Michigan opened its doors to future surgeons and leaders in the field. This year, we are celebrating the 60-year history of the program and its significant contributions to the field. Beginning under the leadership of Reed O. Dingman, MD, DDS, the program began with three faculty members and two independent surgical residents. Now through the leadership of Dr. Paul Cederna, MD, the section has expanded dramatically to include 24 faculty members and 28 integrated plastic surgery residents. Our faculty are either currently or have been presidents of every single major plastic surgical society in the world. The University of Michigan program has become one of the premier plastic surgery training programs in the world at one of the best universities in the world. Plastic Surgery at the University of Michigan has been ranked by Doximity, the only plastic surgery ranking system in the country, as the no. 1 Plastic Surgery Program for Research, and the no. 3 Overall Plastic Surgery Program in the United States. This has been accomplished through a singular focus on excellence in all three of our academic missions including clinical care, teaching, and research. This unquenchable thirst for excellence is what drives us to make a difference in the world through innovation, discovery, and education. Not only do we contribute today through the care we provide our patients but we also contribute tomorrow through our groundbreaking research and through the education of the next generation of leaders in plastic surgery. Annually, the program sees an average of 35,000 outpatient clinic visits, 4,000 major operations, 200 peer-reviewed publications, US$5 million in research spending, and residents who are well trained and highly competitive for fellowships of their choosing every single year. Through scientific collaborations, academic exchanges, and medical missions, the program's influence has spread beyond Michigan, reaching the entire world. Training and inspiring the next generation of surgeons across the world, the plastic surgery program at the University of Michigan has advanced the field and contributed pivotal discoveries and innovation to plastic surgery history. It has truly been an honor to be a faculty member in Plastic Surgery at The University of Michigan. A special thank you to all faculty members, residents, and medical students who contributed to this special 60th Anniversary Issue. Through all of us the legacy of this great program will grow and Plastic Surgery at the University of Michigan will continue to be leaders and the best in the field!

GO BLUE!!!!!!!

Publication History

Article published online:
15 March 2024