Lehigh Valley Health Network Program

Upon completing the Vascular Surgery Residency at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), residents will obtain the qualifications necessary to practice independently and meet the eligibility requirements for board certification in vascular surgery. The program offers one categorical position per year in a fully accredited five-year integrated Vascular Surgery Residency, which encompasses a comprehensive clinical experience across all facets of vascular surgery.

The residency incorporates a structured didactic curriculum aligned with the VSCORE curriculum as developed by the American Board of Surgery. To maintain a balance between education and service, protected time for educational conferences is a core feature of the training structure. The educational experience is further enhanced by access to a Surgical Education Center accredited by the American College of Surgeons.

The defined curriculum emphasizes hands-on practice through both low- and high-fidelity simulators, while specialized wet labs are designed to foster the technical skills vital for residents. Importantly, participation in clinical research projects is encouraged throughout the training period, with ample resources available within the department and the institution to assist residents in their research endeavors. Funding is allocated for residents to attend regional or national educational conferences, with additional support for those presenting papers or posters.

The Department of Surgery at LVHN provides state-of-the-art medical-surgical and critical care units, catering to all major clinical areas. It is recognized as a leader in trauma-surgical critical care, being the first designated Level I Trauma Center in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, LVHN hosts a Regional Burn Center that serves a wide geographic area, emphasizing its comprehensive healthcare services.

Application Instructions

The Vascular Surgery Residency at LVHN accepts one applicant annually via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), with an application deadline of October 15. Interviews typically occur during the fall and winter months.

Curriculum Overview

The development of residents into proficient vascular surgeons involves extensive hands-on operating room experience and a robust academic curriculum designed to facilitate informed and timely patient management decisions. Key educational activities include monthly surgical grand rounds, which feature presentations by attending surgeons and visiting professors on various pertinent surgical topics. Participation in these grand rounds fosters both learning and community engagement among the residents.

Additionally, weekly mortality and morbidity conferences are conducted, allowing residents to present case reviews of significant clinical events to engage in knowledge-sharing and critical thinking. Each presentation is contextualized with references to relevant surgical literature, enhancing the educational experience.

Research activity is a crucial component of resident training, promoting the critical assessment of scientific literature and providing invaluable skills that will benefit residents throughout their careers. Residents are actively involved in presenting their findings at various regional and national meetings.

Resident Benefits

Vascular surgery residents at LVHN are afforded several program-specific benefits beyond the general graduate medical education salary and benefits framework. These include:

• Three weeks of vacation.
• Conference and travel allowance of $1,500 for attendance at a maximum of two conferences (up to five days each), with an additional conference consideration at the discretion of the program director.
• Subscription to The American Board of Surgery's VSCORE curriculum.
• A provision to participate in the in-training examinations as mandated by the American Board of Surgery.

Such benefits are designed to facilitate both personal well-being and professional development during residency.

Research Opportunities and Publications

Scholarly activity within the Vascular Surgery Residency program is regarded as integral to the educational process. Residents are encouraged to deepen their understanding of specific topics, allowing them to effectively engage with scientific literature. Residents are given opportunities to publish their findings and participate actively in the broader academic community.

Residents

The residency's current class includes Kundanika Lakkadi, MD, from Longview, Texas, who is part of the PGY-1 class of 2029. As illustrated, the program welcomes residents with diverse backgrounds and training histories.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The Vascular Surgery Residency at LVHN is recognized to accept applications from both DO and International Medical Graduates (IMG), making the program relatively welcoming for diverse candidates. It also provides visa sponsorship to residents, ensuring support for J-1 and H-1B visas, thus enhancing diversity within the program.

Special application requirements include that applicants must have graduated from medical school within a specified timeframe, usually limited to the previous two years, and candidates should not have multiple failed attempts on STEP exams.