Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Training

About Our Integrated Residency and Fellowship Programs

Vascular Surgery Fellowship Training at BIDMC The goal of the Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program and Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program at BIDMC is to prepare residents and fellows to function as qualified practitioners of vascular surgery at the high level of performance expected of a board certified specialist, by providing:

Comprehensive clinical training in vascular surgery
Basic science or clinical research experience for residents and fellows
Excellent surgical and medical care

By accomplishing these goals, we strive to produce trainees who will be able to successfully pursue a career in academic surgery or enter private practice in Vascular Surgery. The program is designed with graduated responsibility and supervision at each level of training.

Integrated 0 – 5 Residency Program

During the first three years of the BIDMC 0 – 5 residency program, trainees will be integrated into the Department of Surgery's ACGME-accredited General Surgery Residency Program. General surgery rotations are selected to provide the best operative experience, in particular with open abdominal surgery. Residents will also spend extra time on the vascular surgery services at BIDMC, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge Hospital, and Saint Vincent Hospital, as well as the department's vascular lab. Their final chief year will be spent entirely on a vascular surgery service.

Integrated vascular surgery residents will spend two years of T-32 funded research in either Basic Science or Outcomes Research between their third and fourth years of training.

Although we are best known for our work in lower extremity ischemia in patients with diabetes mellitus, our service sees a diverse array of vascular problems. Our research interests are vast and include clinical outcomes, vascular biology, and clinical trials, among others.

Integrated 5 + 2 Fellowship Program

The overall goal of BIDMC's 5 + 2 Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program is to prepare residents to function as qualified practitioners of vascular surgery at the high level of performance expected of a board-certified specialist.

Year One: Endovascular Fellow

The first-year fellow functions primarily as the Endovascular Fellow:

In charge of all endovascular cases, the fellow will be well-trained by the end of the year to function independently in even the most complex of endovascular procedures.
Will master the use of multiple devices for EVAR/TAG, carotid stenting, as well as atherectomy/laser/thrombolysis devices.
Appropriately trained to plan the device selection for endovascular aneurysm cases through the use of regular CT scans and MMS reconstructions.
Three months spent performing clinical research in the vascular lab learning the foundations for reading, interpreting, and performing various types of non-invasive studies.
Attends one clinic session per week as per ACGME requirements.
Runs the weekly vascular conference and is responsible for presenting topics as well as organizing multidisciplinary rounds with the Podiatry and Cardiac Surgery Teams.
Has the opportunity to attend (all expenses paid) numerous vascular surgery meetings throughout the year, including the Moore Course in Los Angeles, the SVS National Meeting, the NESVS regional meeting, and the SCVS meeting. The division also pays for all other meetings where a fellow's research is accepted for presentation.

Year Two: Open Surgery Fellow

The second-year fellow runs the inpatient vascular service and functions primary as the Open Surgery Fellow:

Oversees a team of 3 General Surgery residents, 3 Nurse Practitioners, and 1 Physician Assistant.
Participates in any complex endovascular cases, such as difficult aneurysms, carotid stents, etc.
Will be well-trained in perioperative decision-making necessary to determine the optimal treatment for any particular patient's vascular issue.
Will master the basic as well as the most technically challenging lower extremity bypass procedures for limb salvage.
Will have extensive experience with complicated open aneurysm repairs (abdominal, thoracoabdominal, and thoracic) and fascinating hybrid procedures (visceral and thoracic debranching).
Spends time in the Vascular lab performing and interpreting non-invasive studies.
Participates in outpatient office-based procedures, including VNUS closure procedures for varicose veins.
Attends one clinic session per week.
Has the opportunity to attend (all expenses paid) numerous vascular surgery meetings throughout the year, including the Moore Course in Los Angeles, the SVS National Meeting, the NESVS regional meeting, and the SCVS meeting. The division also pays for all other meetings where a fellow's research is accepted for presentation.

Application Process

The BIDMC Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program and Vascular Surgery Fellowship Programs participate in the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS). The programs select residents and fellows through the National Resident Matching Program in accordance with the policies established by the NRMP.

Each application is reviewed with an eye toward a combination of overall academic excellence, leadership ability, career development potential and personal character. Qualified individuals will be invited to interview. Any candidate who is invited to interview must contact the surgery education office to confirm acceptance of the invitation.

For more information, please contact:

Renee Beijer
Fellowship Program Coordinator, Surgical Education
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
110 Francis Street, Suite 9B
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-632-9515
Fax: 617-632-7424
Email: rbeijer@bidmc.harvard.edu

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