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

Physician Assistant Student Elective in Plastic Surgery

Working with Dr. Michelow during my elective clinical rotation as a Physician Assistant student was truly an honor and a privilege to experience the field of Plastic Surgery.

He is a gifted surgeon and incredible teacher which made my time spent at Contemporary Cosmetic Surgery a rich learning experience. During this clinical rotation, Dr. Michelow was generous in sharing information about clinical techniques, patient interactions, and professional demeanor.

It was beneficial to have to opportunity to first assist during most surgery cases. Having the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Michelow has allowed me to improve my clinical skills such as suturing, various injections, and incision and drainages.

Surgeries ranged from extensive reconstructive and cosmetic cases in the operating room to various in-office procedures. It was interesting to work with a patient population ranging in age from toddlers to the elderly and being involved in surgery cases dealing with every part of the body from head to toe.

Dr. Michelow left me inspired to reach further and do more in my career as a PA. I would highly recommend other PA students interested in furthering their clinical skills to experience an elective rotation working with Dr. Michelow and his extremely helpful and caring office staff at Contemporary Cosmetic Surgery.

Lisa Kocin, Physician Assistant Student, St. Francis University PA program

Elective Clinical Rotations offered to PA and MA students

Looking for a Physician Assistant Student Clinical Rotation or Medical Assistant Student Clinical Rotation in Plastic Surgery?

Dr. Bryan J. Michelow, MD., FACS., offers an educational experience with personalized attention.
Phone: 216.595.6800
Email: Bryan@DrMichelow.com
Visit our website: www.DrMichelow.com


This is what your colleagus have to say:

As a physician assistant student, having the opportunity to explore the field of plastic surgery during my clinical rotations has been a great experience.

The one-on-one exposure gained by working directly with a plastic surgeon has helped to improve my technical skills and also my diagnostic abilities. I have had the opportunity to see and and assist on a variety of both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, and also observe and assist on in-office procedures.

Unlike many rotations, plastics allows for one-on-one time in the operating room with the surgeon, which means first assisting on a variety of cases. Improving my technical skills, such as suturing and skin grafting, with a surgeon's guidance is truly a unique experience. This valuable time with both the physician and the patients, in addition to a very friendly office staff, really made this rotation a truly positive learning environment.

I would encourage any physician assistant student looking for an exclusive clinical experience in which to improve their skills and also learn about an ever-advancing field to consider a plastic surgery rotation with Dr. Michelow and the office of Contemporary Cosmetic Surgery.

Emily Dannison PA-SCleveland State University/Tri-C Physician Assistant Program