Dr. Kevin Chung: "The Anatomy of a Calling" – A "Giants in Plastic Surgery" Interview

In this "Giants in Plastic Surgery" episode of the PRS Global Open Deep Cuts Podcast, recorded live at PSTM 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana, we sat down Dr. Kevin C. Chung, one of the most influential figures in modern plastic and hand surgery. Dr. Chung is the William C. Grabb Distinguished University Professor of Surgery and the Charles B. G. De Nancrede Professor of Surgery at the University of Michigan. A globally respected surgeon-scientist, he has authored more than 850 peer-reviewed papers, 600 book chapters, and 41 textbooks, and served as the 7th Editor-in-Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His leadership roles span the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and the Plastic Surgery Foundation, among many others.

We explore Dr. Chung's personal journey into medicine, beginning with whether he always envisioned becoming a doctor and what alternate career paths he once considered. He reflects on the mentors who guided him toward plastic surgery and shares how his training experiences: from general surgery in Texas, to plastic surgery at the University of Michigan, to hand surgery at the renowned Curtis National Hand Center, shaped his philosophy as a surgeon and educator.

Dr. Chung shares thoughtful reflections on the contrasts he has observed between practicing medicine in America moving from Singapore, and he discusses the pivotal moment that led him to specialize in hand surgery. He also talks about how surgeons can recognize when it may be appropriate to narrow or refine their scope of practice. Beyond the operating room, Dr. Chung opens up about what keeps him grounded outside of medicine and the philosophy he follows to prevent burnout throughout a demanding and highly productive career. Tune in for rare insight and invaluable perspective from one of plastic surgery's most accomplished leaders.

Read a recent classic PRS Global Open article by Dr. Chung and co-authors, "Out-of-pocket Costs and Total Payments for Common Congenital Hand Difference Procedures": https://bit.ly/Congenital-Hand-Costs-Chung

Your host, Dr. Vimal Gokani, is a senior Specialty Registrar in plastic surgery in London, England. Your producer & editor, Charlene Kok, is a Year 4 Medical Student in Imperial College London, England, with a keen interest in Plastic Surgery.

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