This is the first in a series of practice memos developed to assist vascular surgeons to effectively market their practices. This section will focus on how to define your competitive edge. 

Depending upon your practice location, your involvement in the management of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients will vary. However, for most vascular surgeons entering private practice, the management of these complex patients will be a significant portion of your caseload, which can directly affect the growth of your practice. This practice memo explores this topic in more depth.

In your last year and half of training, you will need to give serious thought to your future vascular surgery career. This practice memo briefly describes the steps involved in a job search, such as the interview process, tips on finding the right practice fit, as well as contract expectations and the preparation needed to be credentialed after you have secured a job.

This practice memo, a collaborative effort between the Young Physicians Programs of the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Young Surgeons Committee of the Society for Vascular Surgery, is intended to aid podiatrists and vascular surgeons in the early years of their respective careers, especially those involved in the care of patients with DFUs. During these formative years, learning how to successfully establish an inter-professional partnership is crucial in order to provide the best possible care to this important patient population.