ASCEND Program

About the SVS ASCEND Program

The SVS ASCEND (Advancing Surgeons through Career, Education, Networking and Development) Program is an immersive experience designed to help young surgeons confidently transition from training to independent practice. Through interactive workshops, real-world case discussions, practical skills training, and mentorship from experienced vascular surgeons, participants will gain valuable insights into clinical excellence, practice management, leadership, and career development. It will help young surgeons with skills, expand their network, and gain the tools to thrive in the early years of a vascular surgery career.

Key educational pillars include:

  • Practice Management / Business of Vascular Surgery
  • Hands-On Surgical & Procedural Skills
  • Clinical Excellence & Complications
  • Career Development & Leadership
  • Mentorship & Networking & Professional Community

The program is designed primarily for final-year vascular trainees and early-career surgeons (0–5 years in practice)

Call for Volunteers

SVS is seeking member volunteers to serve on the newly established ASCEND Program Education Planning Group. This group will help design and guide the SVS ASCEND Program, a new educational initiative that expands the former Mote Course into a broader program addressing the transition from training through early practice. Please read all the important information below before applying.

Statement of Interest

When filling out the Statement of Interest section of the application, please ensure you address all of the following:

  1. Role Preference
    Clearly indicate whether you are applying for a specific role or are open to being considered for multiple roles.
  2. Relevant Experience
    Describe your experience related to early career vascular surgical education, workshop faculty participation, curriculum development, simulation training. 
  3. Areas of Expertise
  • Identify your areas of expertise as it relates to the following pillars of the program: 
  • Practice Management / Business of Vascular Surgery
  • Hands-On Surgical & Procedural Skills
  • Clinical Excellence & Complications
  • Career Development & Leadership
  • Mentorship & Networking & Professional Community

Apply Today

Deadline

Please submit your application form by Wednesday, November 24

Questions? 

Email: education@vascularsociety.org

Available Roles

The structure of the group will consist of the following (*must be from an Academic setting):

  • ASCEND Planning Group Chair/ASCEND Program Director*
  • Vascular Surgery Resident
  • Vascular Surgery Fellow
  • Early Career Vascular Surgeon (0-5 yr)
  • Vascular Surgery Program Director*
  • Vascular Surgery Division/Section Chief or other leader who supervises early-career surgeons*
Experience Sought

Desired Experience:

  • Experience in practice management and business of vascular surgery topics
  • Clinical decision-making and complex case management 
  • Simulation and hands-on learning
  • Faculty coaching, mentorship, and peer-to-peer education
  • Educational innovation, curriculum development
  • Experience collaborating with industry partners to support hands-on learning experiences through their in-kind support for workshops
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop the educational strategy, learning objectives, and curriculum for assigned content areas.
  • Identify and work with staff to recruit faculty with expertise aligned to program goals and topic areas.
  • Lead development of pre-learning content, case-based discussions, hands-on learning experiences, and interactive educational activities.
  • Ensure integration of clinical decision-making, complication management, real-world case application, and quality-focused learning throughout the educational experience.
  • Collaborate with Planning Group leadership, fellow Course Directors, SVS staff, and industry partners, as appropriate, to support educational planning, technology integration, and hands-on workshop experiences.
Time Commitment

Planning Group members will be expected to serve a three-year appointment to support the development, launch, and continuous improvement of the SVS ASCEND Program. The Planning Group is expected to begin its work in Q1 2027, with the inaugural launch anticipated for January 2028. All work will be conducted remotely, with the course being held in person.

Expected participation includes:

  • Virtual planning meetings and conference calls throughout the year 
  • Curriculum development and content review activities 
  • Collaboration with SVS staff, faculty, and industry partners, as appropriate 
  • Participation as faculty and/or Course Directors during ASCEND Program educational activities