Advocate Health Care Program

The Ascension Illinois/Saint Joseph (Chicago) Program in Vascular Surgery offers an extensive residency training designed to provide residents with comprehensive skills in the field. This independent program, based in Hoffman Estates, has a distinct focus on creating well-rounded vascular surgeons equipped with the necessary competencies to thrive in various surgical settings.

Curriculum Overview

Residents in the program engage in a progressive curriculum that prioritizes hands-on experience and clinical excellence. The curriculum integrates acting as first assistants during surgeries and independently performing procedures as their skills advance. The first year presents training across several core surgical domains, including vascular and bariatric surgery, general surgery, and surgical oncology. Particular emphasis is placed on preoperative and postoperative management, as well as critical care experience that includes performing essential procedures such as central line placements (1).

Throughout the residency, the program ensures varied clinical exposure by arranging outside rotations at affiliated institutions. This includes advanced surgical rotations in pediatric surgery, trauma, and vascular surgery, which occur in the later years to deepen the resident's proficiency (3). Specific third-year and fourth-year rotations expand training opportunities in fields like endocrine surgery, thoracic surgery, and diverse vascular cases, enhancing the operational skill set of each resident.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The Ascension Illinois/Saint Joseph (Chicago) Program is characterized by its strong mentor-based training approach. Residents benefit from close faculty relationships, facilitating continuous support and personalized guidance throughout their training (1). The program's size offers a close-knit environment, promoting seamless learning and collaboration among residents and faculty.

Additionally, the program emphasizes research involvement. Each resident is required to complete a quality improvement project, while ongoing research initiatives with national or international presentations are strongly encouraged. This breadth of experience prepares residents not only for board examinations but also for future fellowship opportunities or independent practice (2).

Training Sites

The primary training site is Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago, where residents gain substantial clinical exposure and operational autonomy. Rotations at additional hospitals provide further experience with varied case types and patient demographics.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program is open to both U.S. and international medical graduates (IMGs), and it actively supports the visa process for applicants requiring sponsorship. The commonly provided visa types include J-1 and H-1B visa categories, which facilitate entry into the residency program for qualified candidates (4).

Despite being competitive, the program maintains an inclusive approach towards both DO applicants and IMGs. Success stories from previous graduates reflect a strong match rate into fellowship programs, highlighting the program's effectiveness in training.5

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit their applications through ERAS, with a strong emphasis placed on a USMLE score of 230 or higher, achieved on the first attempt. Additionally, applicants are preferably in their final year of medical school or no more than two years post-graduation. The program currently accepts two categorical and two preliminary positions annually (6).

Salary and Benefits

The compensation structure supports residents throughout their training, with annual stipends set to remain competitive. The current yearly salary for a PGY-1 resident starts at $62,442, progressively increasing throughout the residency program. Various insurance coverages, including medical, dental, vision, and malpractice insurance, are provided. Additionally, residents receive 20 days of vacation and educational leave, with a continuing medical education stipend available to further support their professional development (7).

Research Opportunities

In addition to clinical experiences, residents are exposed to ample research opportunities, facilitated by dedicated faculty who guide and assist in research projects. This aspect of the program allows residents to engage actively with academic contributions while enhancing their residency experience.