Training Expectations and Objectives
The Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is a five-year training program that culminates in board examination eligibility and primary certification in vascular surgery. Our affiliated medical school is Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, which annually ranks among the top 25 nationally. Trainees have access to the full benefits associated with a major research university system. Our affiliated hospitals are University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, University Hospitals St. John Medical Center, MetroHealth Medical Center, and the Louis B. Stokes VA Medical Center. Trainees work with 14 vascular surgery members faculty between these sites combined. The expectations for each year of training are as follows:
Expectations by Training Year
First-year
First-year residents establish firm foundations in preoperative/postoperative management of vascular surgery patients. The first year of training includes:
- Seven months of vascular surgery
- Rotation in vascular medicine
- Rotations in general surgery and non-vascular subspecialties
- Rotations on the trauma surgery service at the high-volume and high-acuity MetroHealth Medical Center
Second-year
Second-year residents complete more than 250 operative cases total and develop management skills for critically ill patients. The second year of training includes:
- Four months of vascular surgery
- Rotation in vascular medicine
- Rotations in the surgical ICU and cardiac ICU
- Rotation in neurology
- Transplant surgery and pediatric surgery subspecialty rotations
Third-year
Third-year residents hone open surgical and catheter-based skills, as well as become more autonomous by starting to lead some services independently. The third year of training includes:
- Six months of vascular surgery
- Rotations in interventional radiology and cardiac catheterization
- Rotation in surgical ICU
- Rotations in general surgery and thoracic surgery
- Rotation on the trauma surgery service at MetroHealth Medical Center
Fourth-year
Fourth-year residents develop independent diagnostic and preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management skills. The fourth year of training includes:
- Five months of vascular surgery
- Rotations as chief resident on the trauma surgery service at MetroHealth Medical Center
- Rotations as chief resident in general surgery, cardiac surgery and pediatric surgery
Fifth-year
Fifth-year residents complete a chief year:
- Twelve months dedicated to vascular surgery—fifteen consecutive months extending from the end of the fourth year.
Training Outcomes
At the completion of residency, trainees have trained in all aspects of vascular surgery including open and endovascular interventions, in addition to a wide exposure in vascular medicine. Operative training includes, but is not limited to:
- Open abdominal and lower extremity bypass for occlusive disease
- Open thoracoabdominal repairs for aneurysms
- Carotid revascularization
- Hemodialysis access and
- Venous surgery.
The full complement of endovascular surgery is also taught including:
- Carotid stenting
- Endograft repair of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Peripheral vascular angioplasty and stenting of renal, mesenteric and lower extremity arteries
- Thrombolysis and
- Venous ablation.
The Division of Vascular Surgery conducts approximately 700 outpatient visits, 170 of which are new patients, annually. We perform approximately 240 major open operations, 470 minor open operations, 100 diagnostic and 150 therapeutic endovascular procedures. Residents can anticipate surpassing the minimum number of total and major vascular cases by the completion of training.
Provisions for Residents
Residents are provided surgical magnifying loupes and customizable lead protective equipment during the first year. The Division of Vascular Surgery supports travel and fees for one meeting per year—which includes annual attendance to boot camps and educational training courses. The department also provides support for research endeavors including submission and publication fees and travel to research conferences, as appropriate.
Resident Requirements and Encouraged Activities
All residents are required to complete an academic project that will culminate in publication and/or presentation at a major conference. All residents are required to sit for the Vascular Surgery In-Training Exam (VSITE) annually. Our required curriculum includes:
- A clinical conference twice per month
- Monthly journal club
- Monthly vascular laboratory education
- A monthly basic science lecture series and
- A twice-weekly conference series aimed at the junior residents and medical students.
When rotating with general surgery, we participate in the weekly morbidity and mortality conferences, grand rounds and weekly teaching conferences. Activities/events encouraged for residents include:
- Weekly research laboratory meetings
- Abstract and manuscript writing
- Critical appraisal of literature during conferences
- National meeting/conference attendance and
- Instruction in vascular laboratory studies.
Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency 0 + 5 Schedule
PGY #1
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| July | Vasc Surg CMC |
| August | Vasc Surg VA |
| September | Vasc Surg CMC |
| October | General Surgery |
| November | General Surgery |
| December | Vasc Surg VA |
| January | Vasc Surg CMC |
| February | Vasc Surg Metro |
| March | Vasc Surg CMC |
| April | Trauma Metro |
| May | Trauma Metro |
| June | Vascular Medicine |
PGY #2
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| July | Vasc Surg CMC |
| August | Vasc Surg CMC |
| September | SICU CMC |
| October | Neuro CMC |
| November | CICU CMC |
| December | Transplant Surgery |
| January | Transplant Surgery |
| February | Vascular Medicine |
| March | Pediatric Surgery |
| April | Vasc Surg CMC |
| May | Vasc Surg CMC |
| June | SICU CMC |
PGY #3
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| July | Vasc Surg VA |
| August | IR CMC |
| September | General Surgery |
| October | General Surgery |
| November | Thoracic Surgery |
| December | Vasc Surg VA |
| January | Vasc Surg VA |
| February | Vasc Surg CMC |
| March | Vasc Surg CMC |
| April | Cardiac Cath |
| May | Trauma Metro |
| June | SICU Metro |
PGY #4
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| July | Trauma Metro |
| August | Trauma Metro |
| September | Cardiac Surgery |
| October | Cardiac Surgery |
| November | Vasc Surg CMC |
| December | Vasc Surg CMC |
| January | General Surgery |
| February | General Surgery |
| March | Vasc Surg VA |
| April | Vasc Surg VA |
| May | Vasc Surg VA |
| June | Vasc Surg Metro |
PGY #5
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| July | Vasc Surg CMC |
| August | Vasc Surg CMC |
| September | Vasc Surg CMC |
| October | Vasc Surg Metro |
| November | Vasc Surg Metro |
| December | Vasc Surg Metro |
| January | Vasc Surg Metro |
| February | Vasc Surg St. John Medical Center |
| March | Vasc Surg St. John Medical Center |
| April | Vasc Surg CMC |
| May | Vasc Surg CMC |
| June | Vasc Surg CMC |
How to Apply
All applications are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) when it opens in September. Please refer to the ERAS website for application timelines at http://www.aamc.org/students/eras.
More information on the application process can be obtained from Jaclyn Buffington.
Meggi Lensman, MBA
Academic Residency Program Coordinator
Department of Surgery
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
11100 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
216.844.1323
meggi.lensman@uhhospitals.org
Application Format:
- Apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
- You must also register with the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
Interview dates
- Wednesday, November 28, 2018
- Friday, December 14, 2018
Application requirements
- A personal statement describing interest and future plans
- Three letters of recommendation
- United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and 2 (if applicable)
- Curriculum vitae