Palo Alto VA Health Care System / Stanford University School of Medicine, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Position Overview

The Palo Alto VA Health Care System and Stanford University School of Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, are seeking a board-certified/board-eligible Plastic Surgeon for a joint faculty appointment. This position is structured as a predominantly VA-based clinical practice, complemented by a Stanford academic and clinical role. The successful candidate will join a collegial, high-volume, academically active department with strong ties between the two institutions.

Appointment structure: Full FTE at Palo Alto VA with a compressed tour and a Stanford footprint (exact allocation based on departmental need).

Primary Responsibilities

Palo Alto VA (majority effort)

• Provide comprehensive general plastic surgery care to Veterans, with clinical focus on:
• Cutaneous oncology — diagnosis and surgical management of skin cancers (BCC, SCC, melanoma, and complex/recurrent lesions)
• Post–massive weight loss (MWL) body contouring surgery
• Facial trauma and fracture management
• Complex and chronic wound care, including flap and reconstructive procedures (primarily in patients with polytrauma or spinal cord injury [SCI])
• Maintain dedicated VA operating room block time
• Supervise and directly teach Stanford plastic surgery residents rotating through the VA service
• Participate in VA multidisciplinary SCI rounds, tumor boards, wound care conferences, and quality improvement initiatives
• Potential to engage in VA-supported clinical or health-services research, with protected time and institutional resources available for investigators interested in Veteran-focused research
• Participate in VA credentialing, compliance, and quality metrics reporting
• Work to maintain and expand access to plastic surgery care for Veterans, including some travel to our community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Monterey or Livermore

Supplemental Stanford Practice (minority effort)

• Stanford clinic every other week
• Stanford OR block time once a month
• Participation in the Stanford Plastic Surgery call panel (shared rotation for trauma and reconstructive emergencies, per the departmental schedule)
• Teaching of Stanford plastic surgery residents and medical students
• Participate in departmental academic activities, including grand rounds, M&M, and divisional meetings
• Opportunities to develop a clinical/translational research niche in collaboration with Stanford faculty, with access to Stanford's research infrastructure, biostatistics support, and grant mechanisms

Qualifications

• MD or DO degree
• Completion of an ACGME-accredited Plastic Surgery residency (integrated or independent pathway)
• Board certified or board eligible through the American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Eligible for medical licensure in California
• Eligible for VA credentialing and privileging (VA requires US citizenship)
• Demonstrated interest in resident education
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and across two distinct institutional systems

Academic Appointment

Academic rank (Clinical Instructor through Clinical Professor, or equivalent) at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, will be commensurate with experience. The VA appointment will be made concurrently per VA physician staffing guidelines.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, following a combined VA/Stanford compensation model. Full academic and VA federal benefits package, including malpractice coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) for VA duties, CME allowance, and retirement benefits. Specific compensation details provided upon interview.

About the Institutions

The Palo Alto VA Health Care System is a major tertiary referral center for Veterans across Northern California, with a robust surgical service line and a long-standing academic affiliation with Stanford University. There are national centers for polytrauma and spinal cord injury on site.  The Palo Alto VA has a robust research infrastructure for both clinical and basic research.  Plastic surgery has dedicated block time and two APP’s to facilitate clinical care. 

The Stanford University Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a nationally recognized program known for excellence in clinical care, innovation, and resident/fellow training across the full breadth of reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a CV, cover letter, and the names of three references to Angela Sotelo (asotelo@stanford.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The Palo Alto VA Health Care System is an equal opportunity employer. Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.