Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency | Riverside University Health System

"

Letter from the Program Director

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Riverside University Health System Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program. It is my privilege to serve as the Program Director and Chief of Plastic Surgery at RUHS, and I am excited to welcome you to a program built on excellence, mentorship, innovation, and service.

Plastic surgery is one of the most diverse and rewarding fields in medicine, requiring technical precision, creativity, adaptability, and a deep commitment to our patients. Our goal is to provide residents with comprehensive training across the full spectrum of plastic surgery, including reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, burn care, craniofacial surgery, hand and microsurgery, and complex microvascular reconstruction. At the same time, we recognize that becoming an exceptional plastic surgeon extends beyond the operating room. Our program incorporates education in leadership, practice management, the business of plastic surgery, research, and professional development to prepare our residents for the many paths available within our specialty.

At RUHS, residents benefit from a high-volume, diverse clinical environment and progressive responsibility within a supportive learning culture. We are committed to individualized mentorship and creating opportunities for our residents to develop not only as surgeons, but also as educators, leaders, and advocates for their patients and communities. We also believe that a successful residency experience should include time to build relationships, pursue personal interests, and maintain wellness throughout the demands of training.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to pursue opportunities that combine surgical excellence with innovation, leadership, and a commitment to patient care. I bring that same philosophy to our residency program. I believe the best surgeons are lifelong learners who remain curious, disciplined, adaptable, and passionate about what they do—both inside and outside the operating room.

As you explore residency programs, I encourage you to look beyond the case numbers and curriculum and consider the people, culture, mentorship, and opportunities that will shape the surgeon you become. We are building something special at RUHS, and we are looking for residents who are eager to learn, contribute, challenge themselves, and grow alongside us.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our program. We hope you will consider RUHS as you embark on this exciting next chapter, and we look forward to getting to know you!

Brian Eichenberg, MD

Program Director

6 years

Program Length

2

Residents per year

2026

Year Established

Curriculum

Year-by-year training structure and rotation schedule

There are a total of 13 blocks in the academic year. The first- year residents rotate though many rotations encompassing either core plastic surgery, general surgery or plastic surgery affiliated rotations at Riverside University Health System (RUHS). Residents will rotate through the surgical subspecialties: vascular surgery, trauma, surgical oncology, anesthesiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, SICU, otolaryngology, emergency medicine, and have one research block. The primary goal of the first year is to develop entry-level skills, knowledge, and abilities while managing patients.

The second-year residents rotate through services at RUHS, Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLU), Renuance Cosmetic Surgery Center, and the University of Southern California (USC). Residents will gain dedicated exposure to: neurosurgery, burn surgery, VA reconstructive surgery care, transplant surgery, orthopaedic surgery, & pediatric surgery. Residents will continue to build operative experience as both assistant and primary surgeon, with increasing autonomy in the management of uncomplicated and routine procedures.

The third-year residents rotate through services at RUHS, LLU, Renuance, and The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) to gain clinical experience on craniofacial surgery, aesthetic, vascular surgery, reconstructive surgery, and hand surgery. The principal goals for this year are to learn the direct management of patients, plan and execute surgical procedures, and provide postoperative care.

The fourth-year residents rotate on RUHS SICU, trauma, hand plastic surgery, comprehensive plastic surgery, and aesthetic surgery at Renuance. The principal goal of this year is to develop a higher level of responsibility in the direct management of patients, planning and executing preoperative care, surgical procedures, and resolving postoperative complications.

The fifth-year residents will be assigned to the plastic surgery department at RUHS and reconstructive surgery at Renuance. Residents will develop the advanced clinical, operative, and leadership competencies necessary to function as independent plastic surgeons, demonstrating proficiency in the management of complex reconstructive and aesthetic surgical patients.

CHIEF- The sixth-year residents will be assigned to the plastic surgery department at RUHS and reconstructive surgery at Renuance. At the conclusion of this year, the Chief residents should have acquired all the required cases in the Defined Categories established by the ACGME, acquired sufficient professional ability to practice competently and independently, and be qualified and eligible for Plastic Surgery Board certification.

Didactics & Academic Activities

Didactics — Wednesdays 2:00pm-5:00pm in person at RUHS or remotely if rotating off-site. Each session has been tailored to include a variety of educational lectures from faculty or guest speakers, hands-on trainings, & ASPS educational module reviews.

Journal Club — Thursdays 5:00pm-7:00pm in person at RUHS, Renuance, or remotely if rotating off-site. Journal clubs provide residents the opportunity to crticially evaluate current research and emerging advancements in plastic surgery. These sessions encourage lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, and the development of strong critical appraisal skills essential to becoming well-rounded plastic surgeons.