Charles Hwang and Ian McCulloch are both senior residents in the Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency program. While vanity is what often comes to mind when thinking about plastic surgery, it is important to remember that most of what we do in the hospital setting revolves around tackling challenging reconstructive problems. We have been so fortunate to have the privilege of working with world leaders in the care of extremity trauma, limb salvage, and amputee care. In working with these experts as they redefine the field, we have both found great meaning in working with these patients. Knowing that we played a role when watching someone walk again when hope was once lost is a feeling that is equally profound for both the patient and doctor.

We are both committed to continuing amputee care after we finish our residency. Charles has a particular interest in nerve surgery and how it can be used to diminish phantom limb pain. Ian hopes to bring the cutting-edge techniques learned in Boston back to his hometown in southern West Virginia.

Finally, when we considered running a marathon and more importantly raising money for such a worthy cause we realized that our role in their recovery is so small. Surgeries take hours but the road to recovery is so much longer. The marathon—which will be our first---is for us a symbol of that long road of recovery.  

We are both thrilled to be raising money for the Stepping Strong Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Many of our patients have been positively impacted by the work the center has done to innovate for trauma patients, in particular, amputees. Join us in our journey over the coming months and if you feel able please consider a donation toward our goal

-Charles & Ian