University of California Davis Health Program

The integrated vascular surgery residency program at UC Davis Health is a comprehensive five-year training program (0+5) that leads to eligibility for certification by the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery. The program accepts two residents per year, with one position designated for civilian applicants and one for military applicants. Civilian candidates participate in the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) during their final year of medical school. Military candidates may be accepted from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) or the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) through the Joint Services Graduate Medical Education Selection Board (JSGMESB) 1.

UC Davis is deeply committed to fostering an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusion within its residency programs. The vascular surgery department emphasizes the importance of cultural competency among trainees and strives to treat all individuals with respect, regardless of their background or beliefs 1.

Vascular surgery is a distinct specialty that combines various techniques, such as diagnosis and management of vascular diseases, endovascular procedures, and surgical critical care. The residency mainly aims to address the increasing demand for vascular surgeons in regions underserved by specialists and to leverage the extensive resources available at UC Davis 1.

Curriculum Overview

The residency curriculum spans 18 months of core surgical education and 42 months concentrated in vascular surgery. The initial years focus on core rotations in general surgery and related specialties, allowing residents to gain essential skills in peri-operative care, trauma management, and technical surgical skills. Residents are trained at diverse settings, including the UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento VA Medical Center, and David Grant USAF Medical Center, among others 1.

Vascular Surgery Rotations

The latter half of the program is dedicated to vascular surgery rotations, during which residents gain extensive experience in advanced imaging, angiography, vascular interventions, and cardiovascular medicine. The rotation schedule allows senior residents to take on leadership roles, managing the vascular surgery service at their respective institutions 1.

Training Sites

The integrated vascular surgery residency utilizes multiple training sites, enabling residents to experience a variety of clinical environments. Key sites include:

• UC Davis Medical Center
• David Grant USAF Medical Center
• Sacramento VA Medical Center
• Kaiser South Sacramento Medical Center

This diverse exposure helps resident trainees to develop adaptability and readiness for different surgical settings 1.

Research Opportunities

Throughout the residency, participants are encouraged to engage in clinical and basic science research. The program supports various research initiatives, enabling residents to explore cutting-edge surgical techniques and innovations. Residents can collaborate with faculty and peers, presenting their findings at national conferences and contributing to scholarly publications 1.

Competitiveness and Selection

The integrated vascular surgery residency program is highly competitive, attracting a wide range of applicants, both U.S. medical graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). The program strives for diversity and inclusion, making it D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) and IMG-friendly 1.

Specific application requirements for the residency include a valid eligibility for medical licensure in California, adherence to the California Medical Board licensing changes, and successful completion of necessary exams (USMLE) 1. Prospective applicants should note that there are guidelines concerning the year of graduation and the maximum number of failed STEP exams allowed

Visa Support

The program sponsors visa applications for qualified international medical graduates, thus facilitating their training process in the United States. The types of visas available for sponsorship typically include J-1 and H-1B visas for medical trainees seeking residency positions in the program 1.

Living and Training in Sacramento

Residents enjoy the benefits of training in Sacramento, California, which provides a vibrant urban environment with access to rich cultural activities, recreational opportunities, and natural attractions like Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. With a mild climate year-round, Sacramento is known for its affordability and burgeoning social scene, making it an attractive city for trainees and their families 1.

In summary, the Vascular Surgery Integrated Residency Program at UC Davis Health is designed to develop competent and compassionate vascular surgeons, leveraging the high-quality clinical training, cutting-edge research opportunities, and supportive environment fostered by the institution.