Message from
Stephen J. Kovach, III, MD – Program Director
Dr. Joseph Serletti began the Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship with one fellow in 2005. We have continued to grow our fellowship program ultimately recruiting five fellows for the 2023-2024 academic year. I am honored to take the helm of the program after several years of successful leadership by Dr. Liza Wu.
Our fellows provide direct management of microvascular surgery patients on the plastic surgery services of seven different entities both within and outside of the Penn Medicine Health System. You will benefit from high clinical volumes and dedicated faculty who are here to educate and train future microvascular surgeons.
This year, we will begin a combined fellowship with Fox Chase that will give our fellows an even broader experience in microsurgery.
Stephen J. Kovach, III, MD
Program Director, Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship
Herndon B. Lehr, M.D. Endowed Associate Professor in Plastic Surgery
The Microvascular Reconstruction Fellowship is an in-depth and comprehensive experience with pre-operative, treatment planning, operative experience and post operative care of patients with congenital and acquired defects. Experience with microvascular breast reconstruction, including muscle sparing free TRAM, DIEP, SGAP, and SIEP. Formal experience with head and neck reconstruction with muscle, myocutaneous, and fasciocutaneous free flaps. Joseph M. Serletti, MD, FACS is a leader in the field and has an extremely busy clinical practice as well as carrying out clinical and basic research. The fellow also works with Stephen J. Kovach, III, MD and last year the division performed over free flaps.
Duration and Scope
- Length of educational program is one clinical year with research opportunities
- Open to those satisfactorily completing an accredited plastic surgery residency program or other appropriately qualified plastic surgeons
- Participation in microvascular and reconstructive cases at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital.
PennMicro
PennMicro offers a novel approach to mastering microsurgical techniques outside the operating room. To learn more, visit the PennMicro website.
Application process
Applications should be submitted through the Central Application Service. Information on the Central Application Service can be found on the San Francisco Match website, Please register with the San Francisco match for microsurgery.
Timeline for microsurgery match
Applicants may begin registering on Monday, January 5, 2026
Central Application Deadline is Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Interviews Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The fellowship runs from July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028.
Contact information
Contact the Program Coordinator,
Kris Gallagher at Kris.Gallagher@pennmedicine.upenn.edu with questions or for additional information.
Policies, procedures and clinical sites
A comprehensive guide to the policies and procedures for the Department of Surgery education programs. View all of the Housestaff polices and procedures.
Penn Medicine has seven clinical sites, to learn more, visit our clinical sites page.