Frequently Asked Questions

Why apply to Integrated 0+5 Vascular Surgery residency instead of the traditional 5+2 general surgery track?

The obvious benefit is two years of your life. The not so obvious benefit is the five-year long focus on diagnosing and treating vascular disease. Through the partnership of Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals, you will be engrossed in vascular disease management from the time you arrive.

What quality of training can I expect in my five years as a member of the Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Integrated Vascular Surgery residency?

You can expect to receive the highest quality training. Case Western Reserve University has a well-respected general surgery residency and vascular surgery fellowship. We have chosen the best parts of each of these to build the 0+5 program.

Will I be ready to work independently as an attending when I graduate?

We expect that you will. Our program has not had any graduates yet, but we fully expect that by the time you graduate, your competence will be at the same level as our concurrently graduating fellows.

What social life opportunities are available in the Case Western Reserve University community, and in Cleveland?

The community provides numerous options. We are proud to have The Cleveland Orchestra—a world-class symphony orchestra—right in our neighborhood. Playhouse Square offers the largest performing arts center outside of New York, hosting many broadway plays each year. See Living in Cleveland

What sets the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center apart from other vascular surgery training programs?

It is an exceptionally well balanced program. You will have a lot of experience in “bread and butter” vascular cases and also with the most complex cases in vascular surgery. We are primarily rotating at a tertiary university hospital, but see cases at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and also at community hospitals during our training. Our trainees report comfort with all types of vascular cases at completion of training.

Is there time/opportunity for research during the 0+5 residency?

While there is no dedicated research time during residency, there are opportunities for clinical research to take place.

What have previous graduates done?

There are no prior 0+5 residents from the UH/CWRU program. However, we have decades worth of fellowship graduates. Our fellowship graduates are split between private practice and academic practice, with slightly more in private than academic practice.

What employment opportunities are available after training at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center?

There are plenty of great jobs available in the northeast Ohio region, and in the Midwest. Recent fellowship graduates are in private practice in San Diego, California and Louisville, Kentucky and academic practice in West Virginia and Cleveland.

What is the opportunity or requirement to do research?

There are dedicated research residents and students. They are always happy to involve the residents and fellows. Trainees are expected to be involved to some degree in research while at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Residents have an expectation of one publication or national meeting presentation prior to graduation. Fellows do not have such an obligation. Your primary focus is clinical vascular surgery during residency or fellowship here.

Are there integrated Operating Rooms (ORs) available?

Room 27 is home to the vascular division. This is the hybrid operating suite at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in which we operate daily. We have block time in that room every day with very few exceptions. There are multiple catheterization laboratory (cath lab) facilities available at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, MetroHealth Medical Center, and University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center. There are plans for hybrid OR construction at MetroHealth Medical Center and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in the near future, but no such resource is available at this time.

Is there adequate case volume, complexity, and variety?

Yes. We see a wide variety of complex and simple vascular problems including arteriovenous (AV) access, cerebrovascular disease, lower extremity disease, thoracic and abdominal aortic disease. Our fellows have met the requirement for open aortic cases easily, and largely within the first year of fellowship.

Are there other residents—neurosurgery, urology, otolaryngology (ENT), general surgery, cardiac surgery, colorectal surgery, medicine and sub-specialties (including interventional cardiology)?

Yes. We have neurosurgery, urology, ENT, general surgery and orthopedics residencies. Fellowships in minimally invasive, bariatric, and colorectal surgery. There is an active cardiac and thoracic division, but no fellows. Interventional radiology and interventional cardiology fellowships also run concurrently at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. There is no concern with competition for cases from fellows or other specialty residents. Vascular surgeons do most of the carotid surgery and stenting, and almost all of the angiograms and peripheral intervention.

What are the benefits like?

Health, eye, dental, pharmacy—all of which can include your spouse or children. You will get a health savings plan as well. Residents will receive surgical loupes for operating and a lead vest and skirt for protection from radiation. Fellows will get lead. There is an annual book purchase and plans for one conference per trainee, per year. Everyone will take an RPVI course prior to RPVI.

Is there angiography and endovascular experience?

Vast experience in angiography and endovascular treatment of lower extremity, upper extremity, cerebrovascular and aortoiliac disease. We do almost all of the angiography here and trainees routinely leave this program comfortable with these procedures.