University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program

H. Edward Garrett, M.D., Professor of Surgery & Program Director
Michael J. Rohrer, M.D., Professor of Surgery
Russell Carter, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor
Hugh Francis, III, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor
Scott Baum, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor
Bridget Ostrow, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor
Jerry Gooch, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor
Thomas Hodgkiss, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor
Joss Fernandez, M.D., Clinical Assitant Professor
Brad Wolf, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor

Educational Statement: The purpose of the vascular surgery residency is to provide an organized educational program with guidance and supervision of the resident, facilitating the resident's personal and professional development while insuring safe and appropriate patient care. The program's mission is to prepare the resident to function as a qualified practitioner of vascular surgery at the highest level of performance expected of a board certified specialist.

Clinical Rotations

The educational goals and clinical curriculum for vascular surgery are accomplished at the University of Tennessee in Memphis through four clinical rotations. Each resident spends six months on each rotation in alternating six-month segments. All aspects of diagnosis and management of vascular disease are included in these rotations, although each rotation has specific strengths, which are emphasized.

Didactic educational goals are accomplished through the conference schedule. A weekly vascular conference is held at 7:00 AM Tuesday mornings alternating between the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic offices at Baptist Hospital and the V.A. Hospital and attended by vascular staff, general surgery residents, and medical students in addition to vascular and local vascular surgeons. One vascular resident each week presents a 30-minute discussion of an assigned topic. This presentation is designed for the education of the medical student and general surgery resident but also for preparation of the vascular resident for the written board examination. The vascular resident is expected to complete a review of the literature and be prepared to discuss controversial aspects of the topic. Every other week, the second half hour of conference is dedicated to discussion of interesting clinical cases that are presented by the vascular residents and often by vascular surgeons in the community. On alternate weeks, the vascular residents discuss any recent morbidity and mortality which has occurred on their service. On the third Thursday of every month, the Journal of Vascular Surgery is discussed over dinner with the faculty with each resident evaluating the merits of the publication. Every other month, a basic science conference is held, some of which involve discussion of selected papers and some of which involve a presentation by an invited speaker.

On the Medical Center rotation, the vascular resident is primarily assigned to the service of Drs. Garrett, Fernandez, and Ostrow at the V.A. Medical Center. On this service, under the direction of the faculty, the vascular resident supervises a nurse practitioner and two vascular laboratory technicians. The VA Hospital provides an excellent experience in redo vascular surgery and management of infected grafts as well as endovascular interventions including carotid stents. The outpatient preoperative evaluation and postoperative care is administered through a vascular clinic every Wednesday morning. Finally, the vascular resident supervises the VA Vascular Lab, averaging more than 200 diagnostic procedures a month. The vascular resident interprets these studies under the supervision of the vascular faculty and participates in the evaluation of difficult cases in the lab whenever possible. Residents are eligible to take the registered vascular technology examination upon completion of their fellowship.

On the Baptist rotation, the senior vascular resident manages the vascular services of Drs. Garrett, Carter, Gooch, Fernandez, Wolf, and Francis. In addition, the junior vascular resident receives significant experience in endovascular therapy through an outpatient vascular intervention suite at the West Clinic, which is across the street from Baptist Hospital. The supervising interventional radiologist at the West Clinic is Dr. Hodgkiss. Significant experience with endovascular repair of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm and open surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm as well as management of thoracic outlet syndrome, and mesenteric revascularizations are obtained on this rotation. Outpatient preoperative evaluation and postoperative management is performed through Dr. Garrett's clinic on Tuesday and Dr. Fernandez's clinic on Wednesday.

A 1st year resident supervises the vascular service of Dr. Michael Rohrer at Methodist University Hospital with the assistance of a junior general surgery resident. In addition, vascular consultation is provided to the Regional Medical Center and Elvis Presley Regional Trauma Center for endovascular and difficult open surgical cases. An excellent experience with dialysis cases, endovascular infrainguinal treatment, and vascular trauma is provided.

All vascular residents attend the UCLA vascular resident symposium and at least one regional or national vascular surgical meeting per year. Each resident also has two weeks of vacation per year. Cross coverage allows for one weekend of call every four weeks. A broad clinical experience has allowed most residents to complete their required case volume within six months and finish in the top 75% of case volume for vascular surgery residents. Historically, 100% of residents have successfully completed the vascular surgery boards.

Selection of Vascular Residents

All vascular resident positions are selected via the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants are ranked by factors including in-service test scores, appropriate training during their surgical residency, preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, letters of recommendation, communication skills, motivation, and integrity without regard to sex, race, age, religion, or disability. Applicants are invited to interview based on the above-mentioned credentials and using the following guidelines:

• Graduates of LCME-approved medical schools and Canadian Medical Schools
• International Medical Graduates (IMG) who have valid ECFMG certificates or who have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school
• Graduates of American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accredited Osteopathic Medical Schools
• Visa status for IMG's must be eligible to seek J-1 visa or be a permanent resident or alien status (i.e. "greencard"). Note: In accordance with UT GME guidelines, this program does not sponsor residents for "H" type visas.

Applications will be processed through ERAS.