Surgical Fellowship Program

Excellence isn’t just practiced here—it’s passed on. Our fellowship offers immersive, hands-on training in advanced cosmetic surgery under nationally recognized surgeons, preparing the next generation to lead with precision and purpose.

Where Elite Training Meets Everyday Excellence

Southern Surgical Arts’ General Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Program includes a full faculty, including Primary Faculty Chad Deal, MD (Board Certified General Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgeon, and Facial Plastic Surgeon) and Supportive Faculty Vincent Gardner, MD (Board Certified General Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgeon, Facial Plastic Surgeon, and Board Certified in Venous and Lymphatic Medicine).

Program Details

The program operates out of two offices, one of which includes an accredited AAAHC surgery center, and has established relationships with two hospitals and one outpatient surgery center. The fellowship offers a very high volume of comprehensive training in all the branches of cosmetic surgery and medicine.

This also includes training in numerous non-invasive aesthetic devices and procedures. Only hair transplantation procedures are not provided on-site, but are available from the local additional teaching faculty.

Program Benefits

Fellows will be given a 360° learning experience. This includes the initial consultation to hands-on procedural training, and the follow-up visits.

Our goal is to make the fellow’s year as comprehensive as possible to include all aspects of becoming a successful and safe Cosmetic Surgeon. This includes many non-academic subjects such as photography, staff training, vendor relationships, creating and managing hospital affiliations, as well as strategic business planning and marketing.

There are two fellow positions open each year during the regular AACS Fellowship calendar schedule and includes the following benefits:

$35,000 annual stipend;
company cell phone for patient interactions;
paid fees for attendance to AACS National Annual Meeting- flight and hotel;
two weeks of vacation and additional approved time for Board Review Courses and interviews;
access to an extensive aesthetic book and video library and several key journals.

Prerequisites for Fellows

This program accepts Board-Certified or Board-Eligible General Surgeons, ENTs, Plastic Surgeons, OMFS, and OB/GYNs. Candidates who have recently completed their primary residency training are preferred.

Fellowship Faculty

Dr. Chad Deal

Dr. Chad Deal primarily focuses on cosmetic surgery for the body. He also specializes in non-invasive treatments, including laser and light therapies and injectables. He is triple board certified by the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and American Board of Facial Plastics. He serves as a Board examiner and member of the Written Exam Committee for ABCS and on the Fellowship Committee for AACS.

Dr. Vincent Gardner

Dr. Vincent Gardner focuses on vein procedures. He is the medical director and owner of The Vein Institute, located on the third floor at Southern Surgical Arts. Dr. Gardner is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, and the American Board of Facial Plastics. Dr. Gardner is also a former facial and body cosmetic surgery fellow, trained by Dr. Deal here at Southern Surgical Arts. It was here that Dr. Gardner chose cosmetic surgery as his career focus. He also serves as an ABCS Board examiner.

Applying for Our Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship?

All of our cosmetic surgeons are fellowship-trained. They understand first-hand what it’s like to participate in a rigorous program like this, and they know how to provide the superior experience you want and need to further your own medical career. As a practice, Southern Surgical Arts is committed to training and technology. As a fellow, you’ll have access to the same state-of-the-art facilities and techniques we use every day. The one-year fellowship runs from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. Applications should be submitted one year in advance to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, requesting R. Chad Deal, MD, as your Reference #3 General Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Program Director.

Apply for Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship