University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program

The University of California (San Diego) Medical Center offers a comprehensive Vascular Surgery Fellowship program, designed as a 5+2-year independent training opportunity. This ACGME-approved fellowship aims to cultivate general surgeons into specialists and leaders within the field of vascular surgery. The program emphasizes the development of essential knowledge, clinical judgment, surgical skills, and professional attitudes necessary for fellows to excel in vascular surgery practices upon completion.

One of the core components of the program is its focus on integrating fundamental education in vascular disease with extensive exposure to clinical patient care and vascular interventions. This structured approach fosters the development of both cognitive and technical skills required for effective practice in vascular surgery. Graduates of the fellowship are anticipated to compete favorably for prestigious academic and community positions as vascular surgeons, successfully pass the American Board of Surgery’s qualifying and certifying examinations, and contribute significantly to both academic and community vascular surgery.

Training Sites

The fellowship includes training at several prominent facilities:

• Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, La Jolla: An advanced tertiary referral center dedicated to vascular, cardiac, and thoracic conditions, featuring cutting-edge technology and a robust clinical environment.
• La Jolla Veterans Affairs Medical Center: This center has a capacity of 250 beds, offering a busy vascular and cardiothoracic surgery program with an approximately annual caseload of 350 vascular surgeries.
• Scripps Green Hospital: A 173-bed teaching hospital recognized nationally for its excellence. It houses a comprehensive vascular laboratory and a robust vascular surgery service, handling around 350 procedures yearly.
• Kaiser Permanente Zion Medical Center: With 368 beds and an accredited vascular laboratory, this facility is esteemed for its extensive vascular surgery service, delivering between 1,100 to 1,200 procedures annually, including over 100 endovascular aneurysm repairs (EVARs).

Fellowship Curriculum

The curriculum is carefully structured to ensure that fellows gain thorough exposure to a diverse range of vascular conditions. During the two years of training, they will deal with various presentations of vascular diseases, including vascular trauma, thoracic outlet syndromes, and pediatric vascular conditions, offering a well-rounded educational experience.

Research Opportunities

The fellowship emphasizes research, allowing fellows to engage in various clinical trials and contribute to innovations within vascular surgery. Trainees are encouraged to actively participate in research that assesses surgical outcomes and advances treatment methodologies, which is critical for fostering academic development and leadership within the field.

Application Competitiveness

The program is competitive, designed for graduates who have completed a general surgery residency. An important note for applicants is that the program supports visa types suitable for international medical graduates. Common visa types sponsored include the J-1 visa for exchange visitors and H-1B visa for specialty occupations.

Special Application Requirements

Applicants are advised to be aware of specific requirements, such as limitations on years since graduation or the number of attempts on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Emphasis is placed on selecting candidates who demonstrate resilience and proficiency prior to application.

Diversity and Inclusion

In alignment with broader goals of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, the program is proud to foster an environment that supports diverse backgrounds and experiences in surgical education and practice.

Overall, the UC San Diego Vascular Surgery Fellowship stands as a premier training program that equips aspiring vascular surgeons with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in both academic and community practice settings, preparing them to lead and innovate in a vital field of healthcare.