Dr. Carolyn De La Cruz has been appointed the role of Vice Chair for Professional Development and Mentorship in the Department of Plastic Surgery.
Dr. De La Cruz has been a faculty member in Pitt Plastic Surgery since 2004 and is a committed and passionate proponent for the values and mission of the Department. She is currently the Chief of Plastic Surgery at UPMC Shadyside and Director of the Advanced Surgery for Lymphedema Service Line and will retain these important duties. She has a tremendous track record as a mentor, local and national leader in plastic surgery, and community outreach advocate. Her impact has been seen in our local environment, in which she co-founded the Pitt Plastic Surgery Mentorship Program, served as a Remote Scholar Mentor for the Department, and co-founded the EduPlast Pittsburgh Program, funded through the Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF), to work with high school and college students to promote interest in science and medicine through workshops. Further, Dr. De La Cruz developed the curriculum for our Cultural Morbidity and Mortality in the Department. Her mentees have earned scientific research awards at multiple plastic surgery meetings. Nationally, Dr. De La Cruz servs as Chair of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery Women’s Microsurgery Group, as well as an ASRM Council Member. In the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Dr. De La Cruz serves as the historian for the Womens Plastic Surgery (WPS) group and serves on the Program Committee. She has served on the ASPS Nominating Committee and serves as an oral examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She has the great honor and distinction of being the Program Co-Chair for the 2026 American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS) Annual Meeting. She has been recognized for her expert teaching and mentorship, twice receiving the Pitt Plastic Surgery Teacher of the Year Award, and also receiving the Special mentorship award as selected by the graduating residents. Additionally, she has received the Social Justice Award from the University of Pittsburgh.
In this newly created role, Dr. De La Cruz will help develop and oversee mentorship and professional enhancement programs for faculty members, advanced practice providers, residents, other trainees, and our staff in the Department. She will be helping to increase communication and cross-functional team activity across our Department with the goal of sharing best practices for outstanding patient care. These efforts are also intended to promote connections and interactions among faculty members and trainees that will foster innovative clinical quality improvement projects and technology development collaborations. Dr. De La Cruz will also oversee community outreach and education programs in this vital role. She already demonstrated a tremendous positive impact as the champion and leader of our annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day event for over a decade. This community-based event has touched the lives of so many in the Pittsburgh region and brought together the medical and arts communities in support of our breast cancer patients.