Biography
Dr. Galina Primeau is an Integrated Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery resident at Michigan Medicine. Originally from Russia, she immigrated in 1999. Galina completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Wellesley College and her medical degree at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Her research interests are in systems and quality improvement with a current focus on the role of telemedicine in peri-operative care delivery for plastic surgery patients. Galina has a passion for mentorship and medical student education and serves as the Plastic Surgery Resident Liaison for students. This year, she is assuming the role of Resident Life Director of Recruitment at Michigan Surgery, with which she aims to extend access to surgical training for applicants with diverse social and educational backgrounds.
Academic Development Time (ADT)
Dr. Primeau is currently in her Academic Development Time and expects to return to clinical work in 1 year. Her primary goal for ADT is to explore the role of continued use of telemedicine in Plastic Surgery outpatient care, although part of her time will be spent as part of the Michigan Medicine telemedicine work group to more broadly improve patient care delivery and experience. She will also lead the residency recruitment efforts for the section of Plastic Surgery as well as assist in the faculty recruitment committee.
Mentorship
The Department of Surgery’s Leadership Development Program has been the catalyst for Galina’s interest in systems improvement and resident and faculty recruitment.
Education:
- Undergraduate: Wellesley College
- Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Mentors:
Why Michigan Surgery
"I chose to train at Michigan Surgery for the resident camaraderie. Any day, at any time, I can find multiple friends at the hospital who will help me with a patient, answer my questions, and support my wellbeing. I have never felt alone."
Life in Ann Arbor
"My favorite summer activity is floating down the Huron river, although as a new parent I have learned to appreciate the innumerable parks, playgrounds, and walks that are minutes away from me. After living in major cities, I am grateful that the time I have outside of my clinical duties isn’t tied up with commuting, or traffic, or waiting for a train. I am also shocked and thankful for the fact that, with the reasonable cost of living, I can comfortably support my family and free up my husband to stay home with our daughter."
Hobbies
"I have a young toddler and spend a good deal of my free time running after her. We have an epic garden at our home and much of my late summer and fall is spent cooking, canning, and pickling our harvest. When I am not spending time with my friends and their families, I love to play board games and video games. My husband and I built our PC (and were the nerds who asked for a power supply and graphics card in our wedding registry a few years ago)."