Welcome to the Vascular Surgery Fellowship
The Vascular Surgery department is committed to the education and professional development of future vascular surgeons. Our fellows are exposed to a breadth of vascular clinical entities. In addition to clinical exposure, there are ample opportunities for clinical research, including participation and presentation at national meetings. Fellows graduate from the program with the knowledge and capabilities to be vascular surgeons and leaders in the field.
The Vascular Surgery Fellowship experience
For 2 years, fellows learn about endovascular techniques in the hybrid operating room. Fellows transition from performing straightforward endovascular cases to complex and hybrid cases, as well as a wide variety of open surgical cases. To round out their experience, fellows spend a portion of their operative time in the outpatient setting, learning ultrasound-based outpatient endovascular procedures. Fellows are also involved in the evaluation, technical aspects, and management of both straightforward and complex open aortic repairs, involving the thoracic and abdominal aorta. Second year fellows will participate in a fully-funded, two-week fellowship experience focusing on aortic branch surgery in Paris, France.
The fellows lead a vascular team comprised of general surgery residents, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They gain leadership skills in the management of many complex vascular patients during their perioperative care.
Fellows participate in weekly vascular conferences, during which time they are protected from their clinical responsibilities. A conference schedule is designed at the beginning of every year, and the senior fellow works with the attendings directly to help coordinate and organize each weekly meeting. Also, fellows attend weekly general surgery mortality/morbidity conferences.
Fellows spend dedicated time in the vascular lab, learning ultrasound and non-invasive vascular lab techniques and interpretation. In the operating room, they use ultrasound to assist with procedures, including the use of intravascular ultrasound. All of this ensures our fellows have proper training and knowledge to be able to incorporate this technology into their practice. It also provides excellent preparation for the Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation Examination, which is mandatory for all graduating fellows.
The Program Director, Dr. Robert Rhee, brings years of aortic experience to the newly developed Aortic Center at Maimonides
Research
Fellows are encouraged to partake in clinical research projects during their time at Maimonides. There are diverse research opportunities, including clinical trials, clinical chart reviews, and literature reviews. Our vascular department is also an active participant of the Society of Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Quality Initiative, and the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, which allows access to their extensive databases for research projects. Fellows are encouraged to submit to and attend local and national meetings.
At Maimonides, we are proud to promote our vascular ultrasound lab, which is fully-accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)
The future of medical care is you
Our program strives to provide the best educational experience in an environment that assures a balance between academic and clinical activities. We take great pride in our success in preparing fellows to become the next generation of expert practitioners. For more information, please contact Lynette Bilella, Fellowship Coordinator, at (718) 283-7980, or email [email protected]
