Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program

The University of Cincinnati Vascular Surgery Fellowship is a two-year, ACGME fully accredited clinical fellowship. All the fellows perform standard as well as complex open, endovascular and hybrid procedures. They exceed the graduating standards set by ACGME in terms of operative case numbers. This fellowship offers an opportunity to become facile in both standard open surgical procedures, catheter-directed advanced therapy for the treatment of vascular disease, hybrid interventions as well as non-invasive vascular diagnostic laboratory training. Our fellowship offers a unique combination of exposure to an academic university hospital referral practice, VA medical center as well a community hospital private practice setting. Experience in outpatient venous interventions and dialysis access completes the training, making the fellows quite remarkable and adept for both academic and private practice employment opportunities.

Academic and scholarly pursuits are critical to a fellow’s development and future career. A formal lecture series has been developed based on the latest V-Score Curriculum in collaboration with other departments at the University to enhance the fellows’ understanding of vascular physiology, anatomy, embryology and pathology. In addition to the teaching lectures, hands on simulation sessions are held throughout the academic year directed towards operative techniques, exposure of vessels and use of latest cutting-edge technology in the field of vascular surgery. The fellows are required to take the Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination and City-Wide Mock Orals, annually. Each fellow participates in a quality improvement project and aims to pursue clinical research with a goal to present the same at a regional or national meeting. This project is then written as manuscript for publication during their clinical fellowship. There are also opportunities to write book chapters in many recognized textbooks in the field of vascular surgery.

The expanded clinical base with an excellent educational experience provides for our vascular surgery fellows to mature into excellent vascular surgeons who are independent and ready for either academic or community practice. Our past fellows have, with their endovascular and open surgical skills, enjoyed ample employment opportunities in the geographical region of their choosing around the country.

Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program

The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine/University Hospital began the five-year integrated vascular surgery residency program on July 1, 2009. The integrated track is aimed at successful graduates of an accredited medical or osteopathic school who wish to specialize in the field of vascular surgery. The program is 5 years in length and includes 18-24 months of core surgical training and 36-42 months of vascular training. The curriculum stresses core education in the management of surgical patients with complex illnesses, and advanced education to develop competency in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vascular disease.

The goal of core surgery education is to ensure that the vascular resident is competent in the comprehensive evaluation and management of patients with complex illnesses and the basic surgical skills used in the treatment of cardiovascular, thoracic, abdominal and soft tissue diseases. Upon completion of PGY-2, the surgical resident should have acquired the knowledge and skills outlined below to facilitate quality patient care and ensure patient safety. The knowledge and skills should serve as the foundation for further education and training in vascular surgery.

The vascular resident will rotate through some of the standard surgery rotations during the first two postgraduate years: general surgery to include gastrointestinal surgery, surgical oncology, endocrine surgery and laparoscopic surgery and trauma surgery; anesthesiology; critical care; plastic surgery; cardiac and thoracic surgery; as well as transplant surgery. The goals of these rotations are similar to the goals of the first two years of general surgical training with some additional rotations intended specifically to augment the knowledge and skills expected of a vascular surgeon such as radiology for vascular body imaging (CTA, MRA and other techniques). The final years will be dedicated to vascular and endovascular rotations. These rotations are at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, UC Health's West Chester Hospital, Cincinnati VA Medical Center, and The Christ Hospital.

Conferences:

Weekly, Department of Surgery Grand Rounds
Weekly, Department of Surgery, Morbidity & Mortality Conference
Weekly, Preoperative Conference & Vascular Morbidity & Mortality
Weekly, Vascular Education Conference (Journal Club, Attending Didactics, VESAP Resident Conference)
Monthly, Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory Noon Conference
Monthly, Simulation / Surgical Skills Laboratory
Bi-Monthly, Vascular Project / Research Noon Conference

Vascular Surgery Interest Group

Visit the Vascular Surgery Interest Group at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Program Administration

Sung Yang, MD RPVI, Program Director

Read about UC Medical Center’s Hybrid Operating Room, a combination angiogram suite and operating room.

Visit the UC Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute website.