Dr. McCluskey then finished a five year residency in General Surgery. As Chief Resident his breast reconstruction research was published and he presented this research at local and national meetings. He was selected to enter the highly competitive Plastic Surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. In Dallas he trained alongside world-renowned leaders and innovators in the field of cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr McCluskey has been honored for his efforts as a teacher of residents and medical students, and he was a multi-year recipient of Resident of the Year awards. He has authored many peer-reviewed journal articles on a variety of topics including cosmetic surgery, breast lift and breast reduction, breast reconstruction, and facial reconstruction after skin cancer.