Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program
At a Glance
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Leadership
Leadership
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1015 Walnut Street
Curtis Building Suite 613
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Program Details
We are proud to offer a two year ACGME accredited Vascular Surgery Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Our Program has been accredited to train one fellow each year. The training curriculum at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is for two years - concentrating on endovascular techniques for the first year and open techniques in the second year.
The Program is designed to spark innovation and excellence in the clinical and academic future of our vascular surgery trainees. All of our current graduates have passed the board exams and all have gone on to have successful academic and private practice careers. As our population ages, there will be increased demand for trainees to treat peripheral vascular disease.
The Vascular Surgery fellows are expected to achieve the six core competencies:
- Patient Care
- Medical Knowledge
- Practice Based Learning and Improvement
- Systems Based Practice
- Professionalism
- Interpersonal Skills and Communication
Faculty members continuously assess performance, give feedback on an individual basis, and complete formal evaluations quarterly and annually.
The goal of the first year of training is to master endovascular techniques. There is a tremendous amount of learning during the first year since endovascular skills are not an essential part of most general surgery residency programs.
Minimally invasive endovascular procedures have become an integral part of vascular surgery practice. In addition, the first year fellow is involved with a significant number of open operations which increases manual dexterity and comfort level in preparation for the second year.
The second year fellow focuses on fine tuning the tried and true open vascular techniques. There is a concentration on:
- complex open procedures including treatment of
thoraco-abdominal aneurysms, - aortoiliac occlusive disease,
- mesenteric arterial disease, as well as
- redo lower extremity revascularizations
In addition, the second year fellow is required to refine endovascular techniques by performing complex endovascular procedures like FEVAR, CheVAR and Physician Modified Endografts, endovascular mesenteric and visceral artery procedures.
- OR: 3-4 days per week
1st year: endovascular/open
2nd year: open/endovascular - Office Hours: 1/2 day per week in the Jefferson Vascular Center
See patients independently
Dictate in EMR and communicate with primary care physician - Ultrasound: ½ day per week in the Jefferson Vascular Center
Work directly with vascular ultrasonographers
Dictate reports using PowerScribe
One of the ACGME requirements, and goals of a university-based program, is to advance medical knowledge and academics. To this end, both the first year and the second year fellow are encouraged to be involved in clinical research projects and expected to submit manuscripts for publication. The fellows are mentored by a faculty member.
Caring for vascular patients in an outpatient setting is a crucial part of the training of a Vascular Surgery fellow. There is a rotating schedule in place to ensure adequate exposure to office hours.
The vascular laboratory is an invaluable tool in a vascular surgeon’s kit. It is a requirement of the vascular surgery board for fellows to have successfully passed the RPVI (Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation) examination before sitting for their specialty boards. A rotation schedule ensures that fellows will be competent in evaluating and interpreting studies that are performed in our vascular laboratory.
Finally, we have an outpatient venous program. Fellows are encouraged, and often elect, to take part in treatment of patients with disorders of veins