Program Aims

The Vascular Surgery Independent Fellowship Program is designed with the following aims:

• Produce experts in vascular surgery, endovascular therapy, and vascular imaging to address workforce shortages in vascular surgery and provide skilled care to patients and consultation to referring providers in need
  • There is a strong societal need for well-trained vascular experts. Most fellows enter the workforce directly following completion of training (the majority go into community practice) to meet this need. While independent research is not a principal career goal for most fellows, training is expected to include exposure to academic research, critical review of the literature and competence to interpret and use data for evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.  Independent proficiency in vascular surgery procedures and clinical skills will be measured by satisfactory completion of ACGME Milestones prior to graduation, board passage rates post-graduation, employment data, and by graduate survey of practice volume and breadth. 
• American Board of Surgery Vascular Surgery Board pass rate should be 100% within 5 years of program completion
  • Fellows are encouraged to complete General Surgery Board Certification within the first year of fellowship (if desired, as it is not required for boarding in Vascular Surgery). Due to Board exam cycle/dates, may take up to 2 years for vascular certification by first-time test takers.  With requirement for RPVI certification prior to Board certification, fellows are encouraged to complete RPVI certification prior to graduation so as to reduce delay to Board certification afterwards.  This metric will be measured by pass rates provided to PD by ABS each year.
• Train surgeons who will teach other professionals and serve as local leaders
  • Graduates are expected to serve their communities as leaders and participate in a culture of ongoing education by teaching others around them.  Fellows are exposed to leadership experience, training, and mentoring during training. They also have responsibility for teaching junior trainees, RN staff, and team members on rounds, in the OR, and during formal educational conferences.  Therefore, they are well equipped to continue these activities following graduation. This metric can be measured by graduate survey of local leadership positions held (e.g. Directorships, hospital committee membership/participation, societal membership/meeting or committee participation, etc.); participation in teaching lectures/courses (students/trainees, hospital staff or in-service activities, loco-regional CME programs, etc.).