Leadership Message from the Program Director
McGill University – Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Dr. Dino Zammit
Program Director
Welcome to the McGill Plastic Surgery Residency Program.
At McGill, our mission is to develop the next generation of plastic surgeons through rigorous training, collaborative learning, and a culture that values curiosity, professionalism, and integrity.
Program Structure and Training
- McGill offers a five-year, broad-based residency program designed to meet the requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, with the option to pursue American Board of Plastic Surgery certification as well.
- Our structure includes two years of core Surgical Foundations followed by three dedicated years of plastic surgery training, ensuring a strong, comprehensive foundation before residents advance to complex reconstructive and aesthetic procedures.
- In the early years, residents rotate through emergency medicine, general surgery, pediatric surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, otolaryngology, and the surgical ICU—building robust surgical judgment and interdisciplinary skills.
Senior Years and Clinical Sites
The senior years (PGY3–5) are devoted fully to plastic surgery across McGill's diverse teaching hospitals:
Across these sites, residents gain extensive exposure to trauma, burns, oncologic reconstruction, craniofacial and cleft surgery, pediatric plastic surgery, and microsurgery.
To broaden clinical experience, residents also rotate through community hospitals—St. Mary's, Lasalle, and Lachine—where they gain valuable exposure to outpatient and community-based plastic surgery practice.
Academic Programming
Our academic programming is equally rich.
- Weekly interdisciplinary rounds, a dedicated academic day, multiple subspecialty clinics, and formal biweekly academic tutorials provide structured, in-depth teaching across the full span of plastic surgery.
- Residents also participate in trauma rounds, tumor boards, hemangioma and cleft clinics, maxillofacial surgical groups, and other interdisciplinary academic activities, reinforcing both clinical decision-making and scientific knowledge.
Faculty and Residents
- McGill's Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery has a distinguished history of leadership in microsurgery, burn care, congenital anomalies, hand and trauma surgery, craniofacial reconstruction, and cutting-edge surgical research—reflecting decades of innovation and academic contribution.
- Our faculty members are deeply committed to mentorship, supporting each resident's personal and professional growth, and fostering an environment where collaboration and excellence thrive.
As Program Director, I am proud of the dedication, compassion, and resilience demonstrated by our residents. They embody the values of our institution and the promise of our specialty.
Our graduates go on to excel in academic surgery, community practice, global health initiatives, and world-renowned fellowship programs.
Thank you for your interest in the McGill Plastic Surgery Residency Program. I encourage you to explore all that our training environment has to offer. Together, we are shaping the future of reconstructive and aesthetic surgery—here in Montreal and far beyond.
