Vascular Surgery Residency

Vascular Surgery Residency Header The Spectrum Health/Michigan State University Vascular Surgery Residency is a five year ACGME accredited residency program designed to train medical students who desire to become board-certified vascular surgeons. Residents work closely with the faculty mentors and are assisted by a team of clinical nurses, general surgery residents and physician assistants. A large case experience, clinical research and a new simulation center contribute to a well-rounded experience and the opportunity to become a well-rounded, proficient vascular surgery specialist.



Our residents spend the majority of their time at the Spectrum Health Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center, located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Robert Cuff, MD, is the program director and he is assisted by six vascular surgeons, all fellowship trained. Each of the faculty trained at different programs bringing a diverse experience to the residency. 

Program Aims
  1. Create an educational environment with focus on resident development throughout their residency with progressive responsibility and autonomy
  2. Provide the resident exposure to multidisciplinary team-based approaches to patient care within different patient populations and backgrounds
  3. Prepare the resident 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 to the resident to successfully complete the process for board certification
  5. Create an environment for ongoing learning with investigation and research opportunities
The five year integrated vascular surgery residency received approval in 2010 and currently has residents at the PGY-1 through PGY-5 levels. The residents rotate through general surgery services including trauma, burn and critical care, cardiology services, cardiothoracic surgery, pediatric surgery and plastic surgery as well as the vascular surgery service during their first three years. Each year an increasing amount of time is spent caring for vascular patients culminating in 23/26 blocks on the vascular surgery service during the final two years of the residency.

The residents participate and help run weekly educational conferences. Clinical research participation is expected and supported by dedicated research coordinators.

The large clinical volume of both open and endovascular cases, world-class facilities and broad training experiences of the faculty insure the residents will graduate with the experience to be confident and competent vascular specialists.

PGY-1 Year
  • Vascular surgery (including one block vascular lab): Four blocks
  • Cardiology: One block
  • Vascular lab: One block
  • Plastics: One block
  • Trauma: Two blocks
  • General surgery: Three blocks
  • Surgical critical care: One block

PGY-2 Year
  • Vascular surgery: Five blocks
  • Pediatric surgery: One block
  • Trauma: One block
  • General surgery: Three blocks
  • Surgical critical care: One block
  • Burn: One block
  • Wound clinic: One block

PGY-3 Year
  • Vascular surgery: Four blocks
  • Trauma: Two blocks
  • Quality and safety rotation: One block
  • Surgical critical care: Three blocks
  • Thoracic: One block
  • Wound clinic: One block
  • Vein clinic: One block

PGY-4 Year
  • Vascular surgery: 11 blocks
  • Thoracic surgery: One block
  • Vein clinic: One block

PGY-5 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 - 220+ or COMLEX Level 1- 400-600
  • USMLE Step 2 or COMLEX Level 2 preferred by interview season 
 
All applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service only. Residency interviews are held in November and December. For more information on our program, contact Liz Charney, program coordinator. 
 
All visiting medical student applications must be submitted through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities program (formerly known as VSAS). For more information on visiting medical student opportunities, please visit our Visiting Learner page.
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.

  • Grand Rapids

    West Michigan - A Great Place to Call Home

    As the second largest city in Michigan, Grand Rapids is an amazing place to work, live, play and explore. This vibrant city is known for some of the best festivals in the world, like ArtPrize, and is only a short 45 minute drive to Lake Michigan. The city has been recognized by numerous sources, including The New York Times, where Grand Rapids was ranked as one of the 52 Places to Go. Additionally, Thrillist consider Grand Rapids the best food city in the state of Michigan, and in 2018, Trulia chose Grand Rapids as the Hottest Real Estate Market to Watch in the country. Grand Rapids is a city with endless experiences for people of every age. Learn more.


Meet Our Faculty

Cuff
Robert Cuff, MD, RVT, FACS

Program Director
Chambers
Christopher Chambers, MD, PhD

Associate Program Director
Yassa
Eanas Yassa, MD

Associate Program Director
Bordoli
Stefano Bordoli, MD

Core Faculty
Andrew Kimball MD
Andrew S. Kimball, MD

Core Faculty
Mansour
M. Ashraf Mansour, MD

Core Faculty
Simmons
Justin Simmons, DO

Core Faculty
Slaikeu
Jason Slaikeu, MD, RPVI

Core Faculty
Watson
Jennifer Watson, MD, RPVI

Core Faculty
Wong
Peter Wong, MD

Core Faculty


Class of 2025

postol-carolyn
Carolyn Postol, DO

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine


Class of 2024

Nicholson-Jake
Jake Nicholson, DO

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine


Class of 2023

Noffsker_Ivan
Ivan Noffsker, MD

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine


Class of 2022

KushSharmaMD
Kush Sharma, MD

Central Michigan University College of Medicine

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    Get to know our residents

    Our residents are a diverse group from a variety of backgrounds with unique experiences and interests. We look forward to getting to know you as well!