Joanne Buitrago, M.D.
Class of 2025
Hometown: Winchester, TN
Area of Interest: Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Microsurgery
Undergraduate: Auburn University
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Additional training/Fellowship: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center ( General Surgery PGY 1-2)
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami?
Faculty and the diversity of cases
Hobbies: Marathon runner, love my dog- Harvey, cooking
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Sugarcane and KYU in Wynwood/ Midtown
Lee Weber, MD
Class of 2025
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Area of Interest: Microsurgery, Aesthetics
Undergraduate: Florida State University
Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami? The wide variety of training when serving the public at the 3rd largest hospital in the United States including Ryder Trauma, while also being able to train with nationally recognized plastic surgeons through the University of Miami and local Miami area.
Hobbies: Weightlifting, Peloton, cooking, baking, brewing, my dog
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Bali Cafe
Yaser Abdulgader, MD, MPH
Class of 2026
Hometown: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Area of Interest: Craniofacial Surgery, Reconstructive Microsurgery
Undergraduate: King Abdulaziz University College of Medicine
Medical School: King Abdulaziz University College of Medicine
Additional Training/Fellowship: Master in Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami? Evidence-based medical practices. Performing under a conducive environment, with a learning-centered approach. The dedication to educating and training future plastic surgeons. High ethical standards. Standing by both patients and trainees.
Hobbies: Motorsports
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Texas de Brazil
Melinda Choi, MD
Class of 2026
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, IL
Area of Interest: General recon, hand, peripheral nerve
Undergraduate: Marquette University
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami? OR autonomy, wide variety of pathology
Hobbies: Road biking, Zwift, fine dining
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: All Day, Hiyakawa
Benjamin Slavin, M.D.
Class of 2027
Hometown: Jupiter, FL
Area of Interest: Peripheral Nerve Injury, Microsurgery, Facial Reanimation
Undergraduate: University of Miami
Medical School: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami?
The depth and breadth of Plastic Surgery pathology that we see daily amongst our patient population is second-to-none. Being able to wear my bathing suit underneath my scrubs in February isn’t bad either.
Hobbies: Skiing, Scuba diving, Tropical Aquariums, Exploring new places through food, and Singing in the OR
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Uchi, Mi Rinconcito Mexicano
Sinan K. Jabori, M.D.
Class of 2027
Hometown: Baghdad, Iraq
Area of Interest: Facial plastics
Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Medical School: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami? Faculty, autonomy and variety of complex cases
Hobbies: Beach-ing, snowboarding Dining, Traveling
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Mandolin and Novikov
Susan Taghioff , M.D.
Class of 2028
Hometown: Miami, FL
Area of Interest: Craniofacial, General Reconstruction
Undergraduate: University of Miami
Medical School: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami?
The breadth of cases, underserved population, and my co-resident besties that get me through it all!
Hobbies: Cooking, traveling, being a hockey fan, basketball, the Great Sinan Jabori
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Gekko & Marion
Valeria Bustos Hemer, M.D., MSc, MPH
Class of 2029
Hometown: Barranquilla, Colombia
Area of Interest: Microsurgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, facial surgery, global plastic surgery, and medical education
Medical School: Pontifical Xavierian University School of Medicine
Additional Training/Fellowship: Master of Public Health in Clinical Effectiveness, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health / Master of Science in Clinical Research, Dresden International University /Plastic Surgery postdoctoral research fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/ Harvard Medical School
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami? High-quality training, autonomy, culture, complex pathology, amazing residents, and the opportunity to work with underserved and diverse patient populations. Not to mention the research opportunities the program offers.
Hobbies: Tennis, cooking, oil painting, dining, gym, and spending time with family/friends.
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Mila
Emily Finkelstien, M.D.
Class of 2029
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Area of Interest: Hand and Peripheral Nerve, Microsurgery
Undergraduate: University of Maryland
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami? Volume and diversity of cases, the residents and faculty
Additional Training/Fellowship: PRS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at University of Miami
Hobbies: Running, weight training, traveling, beach days with friends, trying new restaurants
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Mandolin
Victoria Dahl, M.D.
Class of 2030
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Area of Interest: Hand/Upper Extremity, Trauma Reconstruction, Craniofacial Surgery
Undergraduate: University of Washington
Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami? Unique clinical cases, supportive faculty, operative autonomy, diverse patient population, not living in the cold/rain
Hobbies: Beach, live music, golf, my dog Peach
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Red Rooster Overtown, Gramps (pizza)
Anshumi Desai, M.D.
Class of 2030
Hometown: Ahmedabad, India
Area of Interest: Microsurgery, Oncologic Reconstruction, Lymphedema, Breast Reconstruction
Undergraduate: NHL Municipal Medical College
Medical School: NHL Municipal Medical College
Additional Training/Fellowship: General Surgery Residency, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, University of Miami
Plastic Surgery Postdoctoral Clinical Research Fellowship, University of Miami
What do you like most about training at The University of Miami? A unique combination of high surgical volume and exposure to a wide range of complex cases provides invaluable hands-on experience with autonomy. Additionally, the chance to serve an underserved population alongside a diverse group of patients and colleagues creates a truly unparalleled learning environment.
Hobbies: Playing Badminton, Running, Biking
Favorite Restaurant in Miami: Call me Gaby, Jaya at the Setai
