Our Residents

Thao Wolbert, MD

Chief Resident, Independent program, 2021-2024

Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Why UNMC? The experience! The number of cases and complex pathology that allow the trainee the opportunity to be exposed to both cosmetics and reconstructive surgeries. This is an environment where I feel that people are nice and treat each other with respect and dignity. Finally, Omaha’s affordable cost of living.

Undergrad: Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion, Pennsylvania

Medical School: St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies

Residency: General surgery, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia

Clinical/Research Interests: Craniofacial reconstruction, microvascular reconstruction

Hobbies: Travelling, reading, racing, scuba diving, skydiving and trying new adventures.

Hugo Palacios, MD

Independent program, 2021-2024

Hometown: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Why UNMC?: Good volume of surgical cases encompassing complete breadth of plastic surgery.

Undergrad: University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Medical School: University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus

Residency: General surgery, University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus

Clinical/Research Interests: Rhinoplasty, aesthetic surgery, breast surgery, hand surgery

Hobbies: Exercising; car enthusiast; movies; spending time with family, friends and my dog

Jackson Hunt, MD

Independent program, 2022-2025

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Why UNMC? The staff was made up of multiple graduates of the program, which indicated to me that they really enjoyed working here. The case volume was second-to-none, with a good mix of high-volume microsurgical reconstruction and cosmetics.

Undergraduate: Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine, Portsmouth, Dominica

Residency: General surgery, NYU Langone, Long Island, New York

Clinical/Research Interests: General reconstruction, upper extremity, breast reconstruction, cosmetics, lymphedema management, gender affirming care, microsurgery

Hobbies: Traveling, gastronomy, and spending time with my family, including my wife, two small children and bulldog

Mary K. Van Wert, MD

Independent program, 2023-2026

Hometown: Peachtree, Georgia

Why UNMC?: UNMC offered a unique opportunity to experience high-volume microsurgery, complex reconstruction, while still providing regular cosmetic/aesthetic training. Upon graduation, I hope to have a practice that balances complex breast recon (DIEP, etc.) with bread-and-butter plastic surgery. The surgeons at UNMC were the mentors and teachers I needed to get me to this goal! I was lured by the cases, but I came for the staff. The attendings exemplify the technical skill, clinical judgement and overall patient care that I hope to one day provide in my own practice.

Undergrad: Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina

Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, South Carolina

Residency: General surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana

Clinical/Research Interests: Microsurgery, breast reconstruction

Hobbies: Watching dog reels on Instagram, hot yoga, art, margaritas

Jordan Spring, MD

Independent program, 2024-2027

Hometown: Parker, Colorado

Why UNMC?: I love UNMC for a few reasons. Having done medical school in Omaha, I know the area well and absolutely love it. More importantly, during my 4th year of residency I was lucky enough to spend a month with the Plastic Surgery team and absolutely loved it. The culture, cases, and people in the program were all amazing. I couldn’t be more excited be a UNMC resident.

Undergrad: Regis University, Denver, CO

Medical School: Creighton University, Omaha, NE

Residency: General Surgery, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, CA

Clinical/Research Interests: Lymphedema treatment and prevention, pediatric craniofacial reconstruction outcomes and etiologies

Hobbies: Big fan of CrossFit, skiing, amateur golfing, hiking, and the rest of the standard Colorado things.

Reilly Frauchiger-Ankers, MD

Integrated program, 2024-2030

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

Why UNMC?: During the interview I immediately connected with the faculty who shared similar backgrounds and interests. I could tell they genuinely cared about the program and were invested in its success. Undertaking the inaugural plastic surgery resident position, I saw an opportunity to help build something special. The facilities are state of the art and the volume of cases is strong in every area of the field. Not to mention Omaha being a great area to train with no shortage of things to do, good food, and lots of natural beauty to explore. 

Undergrad: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Medical School: Rush University Medical College, Chicago, IL

Clinical/Research Interests: Craniofacial, Breast Reconstruction

Hobbies: Boxing, cooking, quality food and drink with friends, and any outdoor activity.