Carle Illinois College of Medicine students are gaining early, hands-on experience in caring for patients undergoing breast reconstruction surgery following cancer treatment. Through a unique workshop led by expert clinicians and resources from industry partners, CI MED students are working with the latest plastic surgery techniques that can help patients recover from disease, injury, or major surgery.
“By training medical students early in advanced reconstructive techniques such as acellular dermal matrix handling and implant placement, we help prepare the next generation of surgeons to deliver cutting-edge breast reconstruction,” said CI MED student Helen Kemprecos, the co-president of CI MED’s Plastic Surgery and Dermatology Interest Group. “This has direct application to patient populations recovering from breast cancer surgery or congenital breast conditions, where reconstructive options play a vital role in restoring physical form, psychological well-being, and quality of life.”
The workshop was led by Dr. Victor Stams, a CI MED clinical sciences professor and expert plastic surgeon at Carle Health. Stams guided students in practicing complex and intricate skills such as suturing and working with special tissue used in the healing process.
“This workshop gives students the chance to move beyond theory and into hands-on practice, which is invaluable in a field as competitive and technically demanding as plastic surgery,” Stams said. “It not only introduces them to techniques they’ll encounter in the OR but also highlights emerging practices that shape the future of breast reconstruction and aesthetic surgery. Opportunities like this help students understand the precision, artistry, and innovation central to plastic surgery, while reinforcing their role in preparing to care for patients with complex reconstructive needs.”
Research shows that many medical schools devote very little time to plastic surgery techniques and topics, yet it is consistently one of the most competitive medical specialties in the residency match process.
“This workshop was especially unique because it allowed students to practice core skills like suturing and instrument handling in realistic example cases. It also encourages medical students to consider patient anatomy, implant selection, and aesthetic goals,” said workshop organizer and the interest group’s research chair, Aditi Kaveti. “Breast reconstruction is such an important procedure for restoring confidence and quality of life for women, and I wanted to expose students to this incredible work being done in plastic surgery,” Kaveti said.
Editor’s note: Representatives of AlloSource, a major supplier of human tissue for skin grafts, provided guidance on how products like theirs are used in the care of patients undergoing breast reconstruction. Breast implants were supplied by Mentor, and instruments and sutures for the cadaver demonstration were furnished by Ethicon; both are Johnson & Johnson companies.
Photos by Emily Chen.