Carle Foundation Hospital Program

The Carle Vascular Surgery Residency is a five-year integrated training program designed to equip its graduates with essential skills and knowledge aimed at preparing them to become leaders in the field of vascular surgery. Established in July 2020 in Urbana, Illinois, the program offers residents diverse training experiences in a Level I trauma center, private practice, and community practice settings. This allows participants to thrive in the vibrant and culturally rich environment of Champaign-Urbana.

The program is affiliated with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, fostering a supportive educational atmosphere focused on camaraderie and mentorship. This environment nurtures the development of ACGME core competencies, which include professionalism, lifelong learning, personal growth, and a commitment to compassionate patient care 1.

Program Mission and Goals

The mission of the Carle Vascular Surgery Residency is to provide an enriching training environment that fosters collaboration and promotes the growth of highly skilled vascular surgeons. The program is committed to evidence-based practices and the advancement of vascular surgery's sciences and arts. Key program goals include training physicians to become:

• Competent, well-rounded, independent practicing board-certified vascular surgeons.
• Leaders and mentors who will actively seek to improve patient care through quality initiatives.
• Practitioners who can successfully establish practices in diverse environments, with expertise in both open surgical and endovascular techniques.
• Surgeons who appreciate the importance of self-care and can maintain a healthy professional-personal balance.

Upon completion of the residency, trainees will achieve competency in a variety of vascular surgical operations, including open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), renal and mesenteric revascularization, and vascular trauma. They will also be prepared for American Board of Surgery certification in Vascular Surgery and obtain certification in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) prior to graduation 1.

Clinical Responsibilities and Educational Opportunities

Residents are expected to engage in various educational tasks including presentations at the Annual Vascular Medicine Symposium and participation in journal clubs and simulation labs. During the PGY-4 and PGY-5 years, residents have significant teaching responsibilities, including lecturing the general surgery residency program on vascular topics 1.

The residency incorporates hands-on patient care experiences, coupled with didactic sessions and interactive conferences. Educational formats include:

• Interesting Case Conference: Every other Tuesday where collaborative discussions take place to devise optimal care plans.
• Morbidity and Mortality Conference: An evaluative discussion of cases aimed at improving patient management outcomes.
• Core Conference: Weekly lectures covering chapters from key vascular surgery texts.
• RPVI Review: Weekly sessions for feedback on vascular lab reads, enhancing knowledge and skills required for the RPVI exam.
• Simulation Labs: Monthly sessions utilizing state-of-the-art surgical models and equipment to practice and refine surgical techniques.

Additionally, residents are supported with educational provisions such as surgical loupes, SVS membership, access to vascular surgical SCORE, and educational materials necessary for training 1.

Training Facilities

The training occurs at several key facilities:

• Carle Foundation Hospital: A 489-bed Level I Trauma Center, serving more than 1.4 million people across 41 counties in Illinois and 5 in Indiana.
• Christie Clinic Vein and Vascular: This partnership provides residents with exposure to private practice settings involving clinic and outpatient endovascular procedures.
• OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center: Offers additional training opportunities with dedicated hybrid and interventional radiology suites.
• OSF St. Francis Medical Center: Where residents gain experience in both general and transplant surgery, enhancing their surgical competencies.

The program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and only accepts applications through ERAS. It values applications from both U.S. and international medical graduates, with sponsorship available for J1 visas only for international candidates. Applicants must submit a complete application, which includes a CV, letters of recommendation, USMLE scores, and other required documentation 1.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

As a relatively new program, the Carle Vascular Surgery Residency is looking to build a strong cohort of residents. It is essential for applicants to demonstrate accomplishments that illustrate their ability to excel in a competitive environment, such as maintaining strong communication skills in English and achieving passing scores on the USMLE exams. Applicants must fulfill certain criteria, including appropriate levels of clinical experience and networking within the vascular surgery community.

Overall, the Carle Vascular Surgery Residency Program seeks motivated individuals eager to advance their knowledge and skills in a comprehensive surgical training environment 1.