The Arthur L. Garnes Society is passionate about improving equity and diversity in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and there is no better way of showing this than by sponsoring students to attend the annual Plastic Surgery Research, Education, and Preparation Promoting Equity and Diversity (PREPPED) Program.
About the PREPPED Program
Dr. Reghunathan and Dr. Gosman developed the PREPPED program in 2020. It began with Dr. Reghunathan’s concerns that medical students who come from institutions without home plastic surgery programs, and particularly those who are considered underrepresented in medicine, are at a severe disadvantage when it comes to preparedness for sub-internships assessments. Therefore, the program was organized to prepare these students for away clerkships and the residency application process for plastic surgery.
The PREPPED Program addresses several relevant factors to improving performance in sub-internships and broadening opportunities. Medical students are instructed through interactive small groups, lectures, case-based presentations, and hands-on workshops, further exposing students to the diverse field of plastic surgery. What makes the PREPPED program stand out is the inclusion of mentorship and networking, which provides invaluable guidance to students who may not have had prior exposure to the plastic surgery community.
This project is based on the PSF Diversity and Inclusion Grant and is supported by like-minded organizations such as the American Council for Academic Plastic Surgeons and the Arthur L. Garnes Society.
Who is Eligible?
This program is available to medical students in their third year of school or students who are completing a research year and applying to plastic surgery residency in the 2023-2024 cycle.
What You Stand to Gain from the PREPPED Workshop
The PREPPED Program has generated significant attention and interest from underrepresented minorities in medicine (URiM) students interested in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. The 2022 iteration of the program was particularly noteworthy and received many praises. Building on this momentum, the upcoming 2023 PREPPED program offers even greater promise, with a range of new features including:
1. Learning Opportunities
The PREPPED program employs instructors from diverse backgrounds to teach and moderate educational sessions that will inspire students along the way. In these sessions, successful URiM students will be educated on topics such as common consults, hand radiology/exam, aesthetics and body contouring, breast reconstruction, residency application preparation, helpful tips on how to excel during sub-internships, and much more.
2. Connections with World Leaders in Plastic Surgery
The chance to connect with mentors in the field of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a tremendous opportunity for URiM students. PREPPED represents a valuable platform that provides this opportunity to successful applicants at no cost. Furthermore, students will have access to high-quality education and mentorship from world-renowned leaders in plastic surgery.
3. Support for Diversity
In line with its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the program places a strong emphasis on ensuring that participants come from backgrounds historically underrepresented in medicine. This commitment is reflected in the composition of the faculty, which includes individuals from top academic institutions that hold diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Faculty members are dedicated to providing students with the support and guidance needed to excel in their journey towards sub-internships and successful residency applications. The shared commitment to excellence in the diverse future of plastic surgery drives the program to provide the necessary resources for every student to reach their full potential.
Faculty Members to Watch Out For
See the list of some of the faculty members who will be interacting with you at the PREPPED Program this year. Can you spot your mentor?
| S/N | Name | Institution | Status |
| 1 | Kerri Woodberry, MD, MBA | West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV | Attending |
| 2 | Arya Akhavan, MD | The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC | Resident |
| 3 | John Henry Pang, MD | Mount Sinai, New York City, NY | Attending |
| 4 | Ash Patel, MD | Duke University, Durham, NC | Attending |
| 5 | Amanda Gosman, MD | University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA | Attending |
| 6 | Amber Leis, MD | University of California Irvine, Orange, CA | Attending |
| 7 | Paris Butler, MD | Yale University, New Haven, CT | Attending |
| 8 | Erika Sears, MD | The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | Faculty |
| 9 | Abigail Chaffin, MD | Tulane University, New Orleans, LA | Attending |
| 10 | Rachel Hooper, MD | The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | Attending |
| 11 | Julie Park, MD | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX | Attending |
| 12 | Camille Cash, MD | Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Houston, TX | Private Practice |
| 13 | Sybile Val, MD | Val Plastic Surgery, Atlanta, GA | Private Practice |
| 14 | Haripriya Ayyala, MD | Yale University, New Haven, CT | Faculty |
| 15 | Adeyiza Momoh, MD | The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | Attending |
Who are the Sponsors?
The Arthur Garnes Society is one of the seven sponsors of the PREPPED Program. The other sponsors are RTI Surgical (RTI), The Plastic Surgery Foundation, Allergan Aesthetics, ConnectMed International, the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons, and the UC San Diego Division of Plastic Surgery.
What is the Application Timeline and Venue of the Program?
The venue for PREPPED 2023 is New Orleans, LA and this will take place from Thursday, February 23rd – Friday, February 24th in conjunction with the ACAPS Winter Meeting.
The application for the 2023-2024 cycle will commence in Fall 2023, be on the lookout. You can get more information about the program here.
