Mass General Brigham/Massachusetts General Hospital Program

The Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital is designed to provide residents with a comprehensive, specialized education and training in vascular surgery. The program uniquely combines a five-year general surgery residency with an additional two years focused on vascular surgery. Enrolling two residents per year, it closely integrates with the Mass General Surgical Residency Program, thereby enhancing the training experience.

Residents are trained to diagnose and define abnormalities of the vascular system, formulate treatment plans, and perform a comprehensive range of surgical and endovascular reconstructive procedures. The program aims to equip graduates with the necessary skills for effective patient management in pre- and post-operative settings for vascular diseases, covering both open and endovascular treatment methods.

Curriculum

By the end of the training period, residents are expected to demonstrate proficiency in diagnosing and treating peripheral arterial, venous, and lymphatic conditions. Key vascular conditions covered in the curriculum include:

• Aneurysmal disease (infrarenal, thoracoabdominal, visceral and peripheral)
• Congenital malformations
• Extracranial cerebrovascular disease (carotid bifurcation and aortic arch)
• Hemodialysis access (arteriovenous fistulas and permanent intravenous lines)
• Inflammatory vascular diseases
• Peripheral obstructive disease
• Thoracic outlet obstruction
• Traumatic injuries
• Venous disease (reflux, varicose veins and deep venous thrombosis)
• Wound healing strategies

Clinical Experience

Residents engage in a wide variety of clinical procedures, gaining hands-on experience in both open surgical and endovascular techniques:

Open Surgical Procedures

• Aortic aneurysm repair
• Aorto-bifemoral bypass
• Carotid endarterectomy
• Thoracic outlet decompression
• Varicose vein excision

Endovascular Procedures

• Atherectomy
• Balloon angioplasty
• Endovascular aneurysm repair
• Thoracic endovascular grafting

Moreover, knowledge in medical management relevant to vascular issues—such as diabetes, hypertension, and stroke—is integral to the program.

Residents also acquire skills necessary in noninvasive vascular lab testing, deepening their understanding of ultrasound physics and hemodynamic testing. By the end of residency, they should demonstrate advanced proficiency in diagnostic imaging techniques such as CT and MR angiography.

Application Requirements

The application process for the residency program involves submission of several key documents, including:

• Four letters of reference (including a dean's letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) letter
• USMLE transcripts (Step 1, 2, and 3 results)

Interviews are typically held in December and January with current residents and faculty, providing prospective residents a chance to explore the program further and ask questions.

Visa Support

The program sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas, making it accessible to international medical graduates who meet the program's competitive and non-competitive standards.

Competitiveness and Special Application Considerations

The Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program is regarded as highly competitive, with applicants representing diverse medical backgrounds including DO and international medical graduates (IMGs). There may be specific considerations regarding recent year of graduation and performance on the USMLE exams, as the program assesses candidates’ readiness and capability for this demanding specialization.