Vascular surgery fellowship

The Corewell Health – Grand Rapids/Michigan State University Vascular Surgery Fellowship program will be accepting applications for the current match year to start July 1, 2024. Interested candidates must have completed an ACGME approved general surgery residency program prior to the start date.

Our fellows spend the majority of their time at the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, located in downtown Grand Rapid. Stefano Bordoli, MD, is the program director and he is assisted by eight vascular surgeons, all fellowship trained. Each of the faculty has trained at different programs throughout the country, bringing a diverse experience to the fellowship. Fellows work closely with the faculty mentors and are assisted by a team of clinical nurses, vascular and general surgery residents, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. A large case experience, clinical research and a cardiovascular simulation center contribute to a well-rounded experience and the opportunity to become a vascular surgery specialist.

Program goals

1. Create an educational environment with focus on fellow development throughout their training with progressive responsibility and autonomy
2. Exposure to multidisciplinary team-based approaches to patient care within different patient populations and backgrounds
3. Prepare fellows for a career in varied clinical and/or academic settings with exposure to research, medical education/teaching, quality and safety initiatives and community engagement
4. Provide the educational and clinical tools necessary to successfully complete the process for board certification
5. Create an environment for ongoing learning with investigation and research opportunities

The 5+2 independent vascular surgery fellowship received approval in 2003. The fellow will spend 26 blocks on the vascular surgery service and will participate in caring for patients preoperatively and postoperatively in the hospital, in the operating room, and in the outpatient clinic.

The fellow will help run the weekly educational conferences along with the senior integrated vascular residents which occur as a protected block on Wednesday mornings. Clinical research participation is expected and supported by dedicated research coordinators.

In August of 2017 the Jacob and Lois Mol Cardiovascular Simulation Center opened at Spectrum Health. This state-of-the-art, 2,700 square foot simulation center is dedicated to training of the participants in the cardiovascular medicine fellowship, cardiothoracic surgery fellowship, integrated vascular surgery residency and independent vascular surgery fellowship. With 24 hour access to the center and lounge the trainees in these programs have the ability to develop their technical skills and collaborate with each other throughout their training.

There are eight vascular surgeons in the core faculty who work with the fellow on a daily basis. Outpatient clinical time and vascular lab experience is gained throughout the residency. The large clinical volume of both open and endovascular cases, state-of-the art facilities and broad training experiences of the faculty ensure the residents will graduate with the experience to be confident and competent vascular surgeons.

Program focus

• PGY-6 Year: Vascular surgery–13 blocks
• PGY-7 Year: Vascular surgery–13 blocks

Research

For research support, the scholarly activity support team can assist you. The scholarly activity support team also offers biostatistics consultation, and poster preparation. Residents will be expected to submit their work for presentation at an institutional Research Day.

• USMLE Step 1 - 210+ or COMLEX Level 1- 500+
• USMLE Step 2 or COMLEX Level 2 preferred by interview season
• Apply though the Electronic Residency Application Service to be considered for this position

For more information on our program, please contact Christine Richey, program coordinator.

Spectrum Health provides a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package for our residents, staff and their families. In addition, our program provides educational monies to support your ongoing education. Download our salary and benefits document to learn more.