The Vascular Surgery Fellowship Training Program started July 1, 1986, with one ACGME-approved trainee per year. This was increased to two ACGME-approved trainees annually in 1992. In July of 2012, we enrolled our first resident into the Integrated Program in Vascular Surgery (0+5).
The goal of our program is to train academic vascular surgeons. About half of our trainees go on to work in academic medicine. Many are vascular surgery training program directors, several have become chiefs of their own section or division, and many serve on various national committees.
The Fellowship and Residency programs are administered by the faculty of Washington University School of Medicine and are based in the Department of Surgery. During the first 20 years, the training program consisted of a single year of clinical training, with an optional year for basic science research. Beginning in July 2006, in compliance with the Residency Review Committee’s new requirements, the training program was increased to a two-year clinical program. Optional opportunities to conduct research are also available. The program is fully accredited through the ACGME and a GME consortium of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.
The primary goals and objectives for fellows are to:
- learn and refine diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for vascular diagnosis and intervention;
- discern the strategies and timing for vascular treatment;
- develop and refine strategies in deciding between open and endovascular repair;
to develop and refine techniques in preoperative assessment, including differential diagnosis; - develop a comprehensive understanding of the co-morbidities that can influence the surgical and pre- and post-operative management of patients with vascular disease;
- develop the skills to follow, interpret and incorporate into practice the latest evidence in vascular management;
- develop the interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with the patients, family members and patient care teams;
- refine the understanding of professional responsibilities and ethical principles in the context of caring for patients with vascular disease; and
- establish an understanding of the complex systems that influence patient management on a local, regional and national level.
For more information, contact Nicole Althage, Residency and Fellowship Coordinator at 314-747-0017 or WUVS@wudosis.wustl.edu.