My Experiences as a Physician Assistant (PA) student - A great variety of patients

The last four weeks at Contemporary Cosmetics has been an amazing experience that I will never forget.

I was able to engage in a vast array of reconstructive as well as cosmetic procedures. I got the opportunity to assist in numerous different surgeries and in-house procedures from atypical nevus removals, facelifts, breast reductions and repairs of tendons. From dermatology to orthopedics and everything in between, I got to experience it all!

Dr.  Michelow’s patient population consists of male/female, pediatric/adult, and anything from head to toe. In my time at the practice and under close supervision,  I experienced an excision of a giant congenital nevus on a pediatric patient, removal of an atypical nevus of the foot, placement of a screw into a middle phalanx, and sewing of an extensor tendon back together, just to name a few. All of the procedures listed above were done with Dr. Michelow teaching me each step of the way.

The amount of trust Dr. Michelow has in his students is a great feeling. Not only was I being told and shown how something was done, I was involved in it!

Outside of procedures, I was able to understand the dynamics of an interprofessional workplace. When visiting Dr. Michelow’s hand clinic I got the opportunity to see how occupational and physical therapists work with patients.  It was interesting to see the progression and the effect of good follow-up care on a patient. For example, a patient we saw with a gunshot wound to the index finger was unable to move his hand at all and now is regaining motion. The progression is amazing to witness.

I benefited from a one-on-one suturing class at a local hospital, attended residency meetings, and had multiple networking opportunities. Dr. Michelow has even offered to be a reference when it comes time to apply for positions.

Although Cleveland was a long way for me to travel, Dr.Michelow and his staff made me feel right at home. The staff was extremely welcoming and eager to teach and show me how the office runs. Once I learned the system, I was taking history and physicals, helping with physical exams and finishing off by writing complete SOAP notes and setting follow-up appointments.

Coming into this rotation, I thought it was going to be all breast augmentations and tummy tucks, but I learned very quickly it was much more than just cosmetics. The knowledge I have gained is that of which I do not believe any other rotation has given me. The variety of different cases I saw made this a great learning experience that I will remember forever!

I highly recommend this rotation to all PA students interested in any type of surgery. Dr. Michelow and his staff have been wonderful and I will miss them so much! Thank you for an amazing opportunity!

Kinslee Scamaldo, PA-S
A.T. Still University
Mesa, AZ

PA-Student Elective - Highlights of the Day

Daily Highlights...

M- meeting the doctor and office staff and experiencing the hand clinic
T- seeing my first cosmetic procedures in office (fillers and muscle relaxants)
W-first-assisting Dr. Michelow in a few surgical cases
TH- first-assisting Dr. Green in my first cosmetic surgical experience
F- Excising of large basal cell lesion almost on my own and having the patient thank me as well as Dr. Michelow at the end was such an awesome feeling.

M-seeing a patient in the office after his Friday operation and checking the stitches that I placed
T- assisting with a sebaceous cyst removal in office
W- learning how to correctly present a history and physical exam for Dr. Michelow
TH- suture lab experience in which I received one-on-one teaching and observation of my suture technique
F- having my own operative patient in order to present my case presentation

M- assisting with an in-house nevus removal
T- draining post-operative breast seroma
TH- filling breast expanders up with saline
F- assisting 2 plastic surgeons in a large reconstructive case (bilateral breast  reconstruction with TRAM flaps)

M-seeing radial nerve palsy at the hand clinic
T- removing stitches that I had placed myself

Plastic Surgery Rotation II     
Brianna Fabiani
University of Mount Union
Alliance, OH
10/15/12- 11/8/12

A 4-Week Physician Assistant Elective in Plastic Surgery

The four weeks spent at Contemporary Cosmetic Surgery, Inc. are four weeks of my clinical rotations that I will never forget. 

As a PA student, I had the opportunity to work with and get to know an outstanding plastic surgeon and his amazing staff. Dr. Michelow has shown to be an excellent physician, who cares not only about his patients, but his students, and staff as well. He has extensive medical training and knowledge, which he is willing to share with all.

 This elective has been a great opportunity for knowledge growth, clinical skills, and patient encounters.  During my time with Dr. Michelow I was able to participate in many aspects of patient care and academic experiences.  They included:
- History and Physical examinations
- In office procedures: cosmetic fillers and muscle relaxant injections, wound care, I&Ds, punch biopsies, skin tag removal, suture placement and removal
- First assisting in reconstructive and hand surgeries presenting in the OR
- Observation and evaluation of many different skin pathologies including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous carcinoma
- Attending a clinical suturing lab
- Accompanying Dr. Michelow to the residency meeting at University Hospital
- Participating in valuable research, allowing me to create a survey on cosmetic procedures

All students considering a plastic surgery rotation would be extremely lucky to have an opportunity with Dr. Michelow.  He is a wonderful and patient teacher who constantly provided me with the best possible clinical experience.  He was always teaching, presenting, and walking me through any procedure and patient care. 

With that being said, I highly recommend this clinical site as an elective rotation for all students interested in a plastic surgery rotation.

Hayley Griswold PA-S
University of Mount Union

Physian Assistant Elective in Plastic Surgery

Contemporary Cosmetic Surgery, Beachwood, OH
Preceptor- Dr. Bryan J.Michelow

Dr. Michelow is an outstanding plastic surgeon with extensive medical training and knowledge, and his staff at Cotemporary. Cosmetic Surgery are extremely welcoming and accommodating. 

An elective rotation with Dr. Michelow has proven to be an invaluable experience, and I have been given the opportunity to participate in a variety of aspects of patient care including:
        -Performing H&Ps
        -Writing and recording physical exams and SOAP notes on their computer
          system
        -Gaining experience evaluating and treating various skin pathologies
        -Gaining experience evaluating and treating various hand injuries
        -Gaining extensive knowledge about various skin injections, including
          the use of neurotoxins and dermal fillers for cosmetic use
        -Participating in wound care, dressing changes, etc
        -Performing and assisting with skin excisions, I&Ds, punch biopsies
         and other small office procedures
        -First assisting in major cosmetic, reconstructive and hand surgeries

A rotation with Dr. Michelow has also given me various academic opportunities including:
        -Attending a clinical skills suturing lab to learn and practice various
         suture techniques
        -Accompanying Dr. Michelow to a variety of conferences and talks, including
         residency meetings at University Hospital, Tumor Board Review through
         Cleveland Clinic, and Risk Management dinners
        -Participating in clinically valuable research, allowing me to create a
          PowerPoint presentation about the safety and efficacy of neurotoxins and
         dermal fillers

Dr. Michelow is a wonderful and patient teacher. He is genuinely interested in providing students with the best possible clinical experience, and he makes the student a top priority in his practice. 

As a PA student at Contemporary Cosmetic Surgery, he gave me various opportunities to branch outside his office by assisting fellow plastic surgeons on interesting cases. He did not simply use me as an extra pair of hands in the office, but rather gave me the freedom to actively participate in patient care and stressed the importance of maximizing my clinical education. 

I highly recommend this elective rotation to any PA student interested in plastic surgery or wishing to gain more surgical training.  I will miss the entire office!

Sharon Santangelo, PA-S
Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA