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April/May 2009
Welcome to On the Cutting Edge, an e-newsletter from the Society for Vascular Surgery reporting new training programs, vascular research and other vascular-related information for residents and students.
If you have any comments or suggestions for making this newsletter more effective, please email studentresident@vascularsociety.org.
2009 Vascular Annual Meeting Activities for Residents and Students
General surgery residents and medical students can learn more about the latest treatments and research in vascular disease by attending the 2009 Vascular Annual Meeting in Denver, June 11-14.
Free Registration
There is no registration fee for residents or students to attend the meeting. To register, residents and students need to fax/mail in the registration form with a letter from their program director/chief of service or medical
school/university. For more details on housing, visit the housing center on VascularWeb.org.
Educational Program
The student/resident educational program is open to all interested students and residents attending the meeting. The program is offered on June 11, 12 and 13 at 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm in Room 501 of the Colorado Convention Center to address the clinical, education and practice concerns for residents and students interested in a career in vascular surgery. View the educational program.
SVS leadership also will host a welcome reception for residents and students on Wednesday, June 10 in the Hyatt Regency Denver, Agate A-C at 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
Welcome Buddy/Mentor Program
To further help welcome general surgery residents and students to the Meeting, all general surgery residents and students will be matched with a welcome buddy/mentor this year. Residents and students should expect to be contacted by their welcome buddy/mentor in the next few weeks via email or phone.
Postgraduate Courses Day
Residents can attend the Postgraduate Courses Day, Wednesday, June 10, for free. Be sure to mark the check box on the registration form that you are attending the Postgraduate Courses Day. Students interested in attending the Courses, should email studentresident@vascularsociety.org. View the Postgraduate Course Day schedule.
Young Surgeon's Reception
The SVS Young Surgeons Advisory Committee is hosting a reception on Friday, June 12 at 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm in the Hyatt Regency Denver, Capitol 6. All residents and students are invited to attend.
View a schedule of the entire Vascular Annual Meeting educational program.
Latest News from the Journal of Vascular Surgery®
Endovascular Thoracic Aneurysm Repair Deemed Safer, Less Complications
Endovascular, noninvasive thoracic aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is safer than open aneurysm repair (OAR) as it is associated with fewer cardiac, respiratory, and hemorrhagic complications, as well as a shorter hospital stay, according to a study in the May 2009 issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery®.
Similar to trends seen across all surgical subspecialties, cardiovascular surgery has seen an explosion in endovascular therapy. Vascular disease processes including blockages, bulges, or aneurysms, tears or dissections can be treated less invasively from remote sites like the groin, using catheters, balloons and stent grafts. Usually this method results in lower death rates and fewer complications.
According to Gilbert R. Upchurch, Jr., MD, from the department of surgery, section of vascular surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs), while rarer than abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), remain a lethal disease. "The TAAs form in the chest cavity and usually go undetected unless found during tests being done for other diseases," said Dr. Upchurch. "Even in the elective setting, surgical repair of
these aneurysms has a mortality rate of close to 10 percent to 20 percent. This operation also is fraught with complications, including paralysis and renal failure that also approach 20 percent."
Read more on VascularWeb.org.
Choosing Vascular Surgery in Medical School
By Angela A. Kokkosis 
MS4, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Class of 2009
Incoming Vascular Surgery Resident, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Class of 2014
Deciding on a field to pursue during medical school can take a great deal of soul-searching. For many, just deciding between a medical field and a surgical field alone can be difficult.
With increasing availability of "specialty" residencies, medical students are posed with the opportunity of entering directly into their chosen field without the need for fellowship training.
Learning About Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery has recently become one of these fields with the 0+5 integrated program. Thus, the new challenge is for medical students to learn all they can about vascular surgery by the end of their third year in medical school.
I took on this challenge during medical school. Prior to my surgical clerkship, I had not been exposed to any aspect of vascular surgery, and so it was never a consideration.
Why I Chose Vascular Surgery
Once I saw a glimpse of the procedures and patient population in this field, I had that proverbial "epiphany" drawing me to this career. But a few bypasses and stents were not convincing enough.
The principle factors that motivated me to pursue vascular surgery were: having a mentor to support me, seeking out opportunities to experience all aspects of the field, and going to the SVS Annual Meeting to learn about the diverse career paths vascular surgeons have taken.
What Vascular Surgeons Do
If you think you may be interested in vascular surgery, the most important advice I can give is to really see and learn about what vascular surgeons do.
Unfortunately, either because of time constraints or organization within your medical school, students mainly see a few main operating room procedures, i.e. peripheral bypasses and aortic aneurysm repairs, and some endovascular
procedures.
What You Need to Know
What students really need to learn and understand are: the breadth and depth of venous, arterial, and lymphatic pathology, the scope of treatments available, the role of the outpatient practice, the profile of the patient population, the
influence of radiology, and the role of the vascular lab.
More Resources
There are many enthusiastic vascular surgeons, fellows, and residents across the country. If you have difficulty finding a mentor at your institution, do not become discouraged!
The SVS Web site (VascularWeb.org) is a great resource for networking and finding a mentor, and I encourage you to explore the possibilities of entering the field of vascular surgery.
Section Meetings in Denver
Elections for Governing Councils
Already a Section member or interested in joining the Sections and want to hear about the activities and events they have planned for the upcoming year? Join us at the meetings in Denver.
General Surgery Resident Section Meeting
Saturday, June 13
3:00 pm
Colorado Convention Center, Room 501
Medical Student Section Meeting
Saturday, June 13
4:00 pm
Colorado Convention Center, Room 501
Election information for positions on the Governing Council for each Section will be emailed to all Section members soon.
Podcasts and Multimedia
Podcasts
SVS posts a new podcasts each month on iTunes in the Science & Medicine podcast section. These podcasts address a broad scope of vascular surgery topics and career opportunities. The most recent podcasts include:
- The Changing Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms
- Profile of a Famous Vascular Surgeon: Juan C. Parodi
- Contraindications for Carotid Stenting
- Minimally Invasive Vascular Procedures and Vascular Surgery
Multimedia Resources
Watch the free video presentation of the "How to Review A Scientific Paper for JVS: A View from the Editors' Desk" session from the 2008 Vascular Annual Meeting to:
- Learn how to read and review a scientific paper
- Assess the strengths and limitations of a research study design
- Review the statistical analysis of presented research data
- Write a better review for both the editors and the authors
Update on Vascular Surgery Integrated Training Programs
In 2006 ACGME approved the Primary Certificate in Vascular Surgery, which eliminates the requirement for certification in general surgery prior to certification in vascular surgery. You now have the option of more than one training pathway.
0+5 track - The vascular surgery integrated track is for trainees who match during medical school. Three years are devoted to vascular surgery and two years to core surgical training. Core surgery rotations may occur throughout the first four years of training. Eligible for board certification in vascular surgery only.
Current 0+5 programs include:
- Cleveland Clinic Vascular Surgery
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
- Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Indiana University School of Medicine
- NEW - The Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City
- Mount Sinai Medical Center
- Northwestern University
- Stanford University Medical Center
- Stony Brook University
- University of Arizona Health Sciences Center
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Program
- University of Cincinnati Medical Center
- University of Massachusetts Medical School
- University of Michigan Medical Center
- University of North Carolina Hospitals Program
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- University of Rochester Medical Center
- University of South Florida
- Yale University School of Medicine
As new programs are approved by ACGME we continually update VascularWeb.org as program information becomes available.
For more information on 0+5 track, as well as the ESP 4+2 track and the traditional 5+2 track, visit:
Find a training program.
How to apply.
Now Online: Frequently Asked Questions Document on Vascular Surgery Residency
Application & Interview Process
The data in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on the vascular surgery residency application and interview process was was collected from vascular residents enrolled in vascular surgery programs in 2008-2009.
It is intended to be used only as a resource to medical students and general surgery residents as they research, apply, and interview at vascular surgery residency programs. Please note the FAQ data is not to be regarded as an
endorsement or policy statement from the Society for Vascular Surgery.
The FAQ was developed by the General Surgery Resident Section Governing Council.
Social Events at the 2009 Vascular Annual Meeting
The Social Committee of the General Surgery Resident Section has planned a few events at upcoming meeting in Denver. All residents and students are invited to attend.
Saturday, June 13
5:30 pm
Happy Hour (cash bar)
Breckenridge Brewery on 6th and Kalamath in Denver (471 Kalamath)
A group is gathering at 5:15 pm in front of the Colorado Convention Center on 14th Street (by the Lower F Lobby/SVS Registration area) to share taxis.
Thursday, June 11
7:00 pm
Rise Against Concert at Red Rocks
Interested in attending a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater to see Rise Against? A group is planning to go if there is enough interest. View ticket prices at LiveNation.com.
For more information on these events, email studentresident@vascularsociety.org.
Facebook Groups for Section Members
Are you on Facebook? The General Surgery Resident Section and the Medical Student Section now have their own Group pages on Facebook.
The Groups are a great way to ask questions, post events, share resources and connect with other residents and students interested in vascular surgery.
Interested in joining? Email studentresident@vascularsurgery.org for instructions.
Live Educational Webcast on Kidney Dialysis Presentation
On May 13 at 7:00 pm CDT Genesis Medical Center will be presenting on OR-Live a free, live educational webcast on Improving Quality of Life for Kidney Dialysis Patients.
During the program, viewers can watch an angioplasty with vascular stenting and interact live with the doctor via emailing questions for real time response.
Visit http://www.or-live.com/genesishealth/2751/index.cfm?cmpid=assoc2571 for more information on how to view this webcast.
Find A Vascular Surgeon Mentor
Need some guidance on a career in vascular surgery? Have you tried the SVS online Mentor Match-up feature that
matches medical students and general surgery residents with vascular surgeon mentors?
We have over 120 vascular surgeon mentors ready to answer any of your career questions, and support you through your training.
Networking Sections for Medical Students and General Surgery Residents
Get direct access to valuable career resources by joining the SVS Medical Student Section or the SVS General Surgery Resident Section. The Sections serve as platforms for medical students and general surgery residents to network
with similarly interested students or residents. Facebook Groups for Section members have a recently been introduced to help promote networking among members.
Learn more about the Sections.
Speak to A Vascular Surgeon
Need more insight on career paths in vascular surgery? SVS will connect you with a vascular surgeon to speak directly
with about the career opportunities in vascular surgery.
Email studentresident@vascularsociety.org for more details.
© 2009 Society for Vascular Surgery
Society for Vascular Surgery - 633 N. St. Clair, 24th Floor; Chicago, IL 60611; Phone: 312-334-2300 or 800-258-7188; Fax: 312-334-2320; Email: vascular@vascularsociety.org
© 2009 VascularWeb. All rights reserved. Use of the VascularWeb site constitutes acceptance of all of the policies, rules and regulations for the site.
© 2009 VascularWeb. All rights reserved. Use of the VascularWeb site constitutes acceptance of all of the policies, rules and regulations for the site.