University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program

Overview of the Vascular Surgery Fellowship

The Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center is a comprehensive 5+2 year, independent ACGME-approved program designed for general surgeons aspiring to specialize in vascular surgery. This program emphasizes training that blends fundamental education in vascular pathology with extensive clinical exposure to patient care and vascular interventions.

The fellowship aims to equip its graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills, clinical judgment, and professional attitudes to excel in vascular surgery. Throughout the program, fellows are trained to develop clinical maturity and evidence-based surgical judgment for managing vascular disease and interventions.

Upon completion, fellows are anticipated to compete favorably for prestigious academic and community positions and to successfully pass the qualifying and certifying examinations of the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery. Graduates are well-prepared to become leaders in both academic and community vascular surgery environments.

Training Sites

The fellowship encompasses a variety of prestigious training sites, providing fellows with diverse clinical experiences and a comprehensive education in vascular surgery:

Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, La Jolla

The Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center is a cutting-edge tertiary referral center affiliated with the Jacobs Medical Center, focusing on vascular, cardiac, and thoracic conditions. This facility boasts state-of-the-art resources to enhance surgical education.

La Jolla Veterans Affairs Medical Center

The VA Medical Center has 250 beds and a prominent vascular surgery program, which is particularly busy with approximately 350 vascular procedures annually.

Scripps Green Hospital

Scripps Green Hospital is recognized among the top 100 hospitals in America, offering a robust vascular surgery service managed by experienced board-certified vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists, with around 350 annual vascular cases.

Kaiser Permanente Zion Medical Center

This facility houses an accredited vascular laboratory and hosts a busy vascular surgery service, performing between 1,100 and 1,200 procedures each year, facilitating exposure to a range of surgical experiences including over 100 Endovascular Aneurysm Repairs (EVARs).

Curriculum and Training Details

The Vascular Surgery Fellowship's curriculum ensures that fellows are exposed to all aspects of vascular disease management. Training includes:

• Management of vascular trauma
• Spine exposure
• Thoracic outlet compression syndromes
• Pediatric vascular conditions

This detailed exposure allows fellows to gain proficiency in managing complex vascular conditions and performing various interventions.

Research and Academic Opportunities

The program values research and provides fellows with opportunities to engage in various clinical trials and research projects in vascular surgery. The interaction with dedicated research teams enables fellows to contribute to advancing knowledge in vascular disease management.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking to join the fellowship. The specific visa types supported typically include J-1 and H-1B visas, making it accessible for qualified international applicants.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

Admission to the Vascular Surgery Fellowship is highly competitive, designed primarily for applicants who have completed a general surgery residency program. The program is open to both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs), and it is supportive of DO candidates.

Special application requirements may include:

• Year of graduation from medical school
• Limitations on failed STEP exam attempts