Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

1. Education Conferences

Education Conferences are Held every Monday at 7:00 a.m., these conferences provide a dedicated time for in-depth educational sessions. It consists of:

• Basic Science Lectures:

This monthly series is led by senior residents and fellows who collaborate closely with attending physicians. They present and discuss pivotal articles from leading vascular surgery journals, focusing on content that shapes contemporary practices and reflects current trends in the field of vascular surgery.

• Mortality and Morbidity (M&M) Conference:

Held twice monthly, this conference serves as a crucial forum for residents to present complex cases, analyze outcomes, and refine their clinical approach. Attending physicians actively participate, providing valuable feedback to guide residents’ decision-making and technical skills. In addition, the vascular surgery team joins General Surgery Grand Rounds, presented by our fellows five times a year.

• Clinical Didactics:

This monthly series is led by attending physicians who provide focused educational sessions for residents and fellows. Guided by the program director, topics are carefully selected to address key areas in vascular surgery. These didactics emphasize core principles and advanced techniques, equipping trainees with the knowledge and skills essential for their development as future vascular surgeons.

2. Case Conference:

Held every Thursday, this conference sharpens skills in diagnosing vascular abnormalities, formulating multidisciplinary treatment plans, and delivering educational presentations on vascular topics.

3. Journal Club:

Held monthly, Journal Club centers on a specific topic. Fellows present each study’s purpose, methodology, and results, followed by a critical analysis of the findings. Vascular Surgery faculty members act as moderators, guiding discussion and offering insights to deepen understanding and highlight clinical applications.

4. PVL and Anatomy Lectures:

Led by the Program Director, these lectures occur twice monthly on Wednesdays, providing focused instruction on peripheral vascular anatomy and imaging fundamentals.

5. Fellow PVL Lectures:

Led by fellows, this monthly lecture takes place on Thursdays.

6. Visiting Professors:

To enrich our trainees' experience and expose them to cutting-edge advancements in Vascular Surgery, we regularly invite world-renowned experts as visiting professors. These distinguished guests often present at our Grand Rounds, sharing their expertise and fostering dynamic discussions on the latest innovations and best practices in the field.

Clinical Experience

The EVMS Vascular Surgery Curriculum is designed to develop proficient, independent clinical surgeons skilled in open and endovascular techniques, fully prepared for board certification. The program spans 18 months of core surgery rotations and 42 months of dedicated vascular surgery training, with residents transitioning to chief roles in the final two years.

Core Curriculum Components

• Open Surgical Procedures and Techniques
• Carotid Endarterectomy
• Mesenteric and Renal Bypass
• Aortic Arch and Abdominal "De-Branching" for Hybrid TEVAR Cases
• Open Repair of Juxta-Renal and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms
• Aorto-Femoral Bypass for Occlusive Disease
• Femoral-Popliteal-Tibial Bypass for Occlusive Disease
• Upper Extremity Bypass
• Dialysis Access
• Endovascular Reconstructive Procedures and Techniques
• Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) and TCAR
• Renal and Mesenteric Artery Stenting
• Endograft Repair of Abdominal and Thoracic Aneurysms (EVAR and TEVAR, FEVAR, BEVAR)
• Hybrid Thoracic "Endo-Debranching" with TEVAR
• Endograft Repair of Popliteal Aneurysms
• Aortic/Iliac/Femoral/Popliteal/Tibial Interventions for Occlusive Disease
• Thrombolysis (Mechanical and Pharmacologic)
• Venous Ablation (EVLT)
• Venous Angioplasty/Stenting
• IVC Filter Placement
• Pulmonary Embolism CDT and Thrombectomy

Additional Competencies

Non-Invasive Vascular Diagnosis: Expertise in extracranial carotid, venous duplex, peripheral arterial, and visceral abdominal imaging, transcranial doppler (TCD)

Medical Management and Critical Care: Comprehensive vascular patient management and vascular critical care.

Board Certification Preparation: Residents will complete a volume exceeding ACGME procedural minimums, meeting certification requirements by both the American Board of Surgery (ABS-VS) and the American Board of Osteopathic Surgery (ABOS-VS).

Rotations

In the first 30 months, residents complete 18 months of core surgical rotations, building a robust surgical foundation before advancing into focused vascular training in PGY-4 and PGY-5.

PGY- 4 & 5

During the final two years of residency, residents will be the primary resident on a vascular surgery service.