Grant Writing for Plastic Surgeons

These past few week have been spent writing  Plastic Surgery Education Foundation (PSEF) grants on a body contouring related topic and abdominal component separation project that we’re partnering on with UNC’s Plastic Surgery Division. The PSEF is the research arm of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It’s mission is to support plastic surgery related research and development of  the plastic surgery field. The unfortunate thing is not everyone receives funding despite the hurdles/ head pounding one goes through while writing the grant. If you’re lucky and recieve funding then you know you’ve accomplished a great task.

My grant writing experience started during my general surgery training, in particular during my research fellowhip. My mentor, Dr. Eppley, provided me guidance and expertise during my first PSEF grant writing process. After multiple revisions we sent in the PSEF grant and unfortunately  never recieved funding. However, we did accomplish the project and it was published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal early this year.

Academic plastic surgeons believe you must “publish or perish.” Publishing research helps to sustain your postion in academia and moves you through the professor ranks. Publishing either clinical or basic science research also provides self-advertisement to other plastic surgery peers and patients. Additionally, many patients have already “googled” you prior to their office visit. This search is likely to include publications and a possible PSEF grant award.  We’ll wait and see if the latter will show on my search….

Dr. Matthew Blanton

Plastic Surgery Resident

Duke University Plastic Surgery

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