Unfortunately, adults are not the only people who need plastic surgery. Children also require plastic surgery, either to correct birth defects or to repair damage caused by an accident or other catastrophe. The path to become a pediatric plastic surgeon is a long one; however, the rewards, both financial and emotional, are great. In order to become a pediatric plastic surgeon an individual must first complete undergraduate school, then follow up with medical school and a residency program.
The first step for anyone who aspires to become a pediatric plastic surgeon is to complete a four-year undergraduate program culminating in the receipt of a bachelor's degree in one of the sciences. Most universities offer a "pre-med" track that will help students who plan to continue on to medical school to adequately prepare. There is not one particular undergraduate major required by all medical schools; however, majors in biology, anatomy, or chemistry are common.
Upon completion of undergraduate school, a student must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Admission to medical school is highly competitive, making the MCAT score important. Medical schools will typically look at a student's MCAT score, grade point average, and the difficulty of the undergraduate program in making admission decisions.
The curriculum for a medical school will vary by jurisdiction. In the United States, once admitted to medical school, a student must complete a four-year program in order to eventually become a pediatric plastic surgeon. As a rule, the first two years are spent in the classroom, while the last two years will also include rotations in local hospitals under the supervision of licensed physicians in an effort to learn more about the various specialties. The purpose of the rotations is to ensure that the student has exposure to a wide array of medical situations, as well as help the student decide what area of specialty he or she wants to focus on in his or her practice.
The final phase necessary to become a pediatric plastic surgeon is to complete a residency program in pediatric plastic surgery. Within the United States, the residency program for plastic surgery is two years long. A residency program is generally completed at a hospital or clinic and allows the physician to actually practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed and experienced physician. A pediatric plastic surgeon must also apply to be licensed in the state where he or she plans to practice medicine.
