Vascular Surgery Training Pathways

In 2006, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved the Primary Certificate in Vascular Surgery which eliminates the requirement for certification in general surgery prior to certification in vascular surgery. This creates more than one training pathway.

This new certification program translates to more training options; there will be more time available for training in areas such as non-operative prevention, diagnosis, and management of vascular disease; shorter training periods; and more freedom of choice concerning when to enter vascular surgery.

0+5 track

Vascular surgery integrated track 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.  View details for applying to 0+5 programs.

• 0+5 vs. 5+2 Vascular Training Programs [PDF]
  from the 2013 Vascular Annual Meeting as part of the General Surgery Resident Educational Program
• 0+5 vs. 5+2 Vascular Training Paradigms [PDF]
  From the 2012 Vascular Annual Meeting as part of the General Surgery Resident Educational Program

4+2 ESP track

4+2 ESP track is available to residents in programs with ESP accreditation. Allows for early entry into vascular surgery with the traditional chief year of general surgery serving as the first year of vascular training. Eligible for vascular surgery and general surgery certification. View details for applying to 4+2 programs.

5+2 track

Five years of general surgery residency plus two years of vascular surgery training. Eligible for board certification in both general surgery and vascular surgery. View details for applying to 5+2 programs.

• Academic Based Vascular Surgery Fellowships [PDF] 
  From the 2013 Vascular Annual Meeing as part of the General Surgery Resident Educational Program
• Academic vs. Clinical-based Vascular Surgery Fellowships [PDF] 
  From the 2012 Vascular Annual Meeting as part of the General Surgery Resident Educational Program
• Status and Trends of Vascular Training Programs [PDF]
  From the 2011 Vascular Annual Meeting as part of the General Surgery Resident Educational Program

Find Training Programs

• Search for contact information for all ACGME vascular surgery programs:
  • Integrated 0+5 Track: select "Vascular surgery - integrated" from the Specialty drop-down list
  • Traditional 5+2 Track: select "Vascular surgery" from the Specialty drop-down list
• View the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada's vascular surgery programs.
  • Please note that these programs are not ACGME approved.

Open Resident Positions

Throughout the year unexpected openings at training programs arise or new training programs are approved and have a need to fill resident positions.

View open resident positions.