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Vascular Surgery Fellowship

Welcome to the Northwestern Vascular Surgery Fellowship!

We are humbled by your interest in our program. We invite you to learn more about our training experience by watching our program video, visiting our division's webpages, and most importantly - contacting our office to learn more about who we are as a division and the patients we serve.

A Note From Program Director, Dr. Mark Eskandari

Established in 1976 by Drs. Bergan and Yao, the Northwestern Vascular Surgery Fellowship is one of the oldest training programs running in the country. This two-year clinical experience provides trainees with the necessary tools to launch a successful academic career. During training, fellows spend the bulk of their time at the downtown main campus as well as Jesse Brown VA Hospital.Both sites provide the full spectrum of open, endovascular and noninvasive vascular surgical care using advanced imaging technology (Philips Allura) for complex endovascular care.

Traditionally, a center with an extensive open surgical experience, trainees continue to participate in a wide variety of complex open operations, such as open aortic surgery, carotid endarterectomy, complex leg bypass, venous reconstructions, anterior spine exposure and thoracic outlet surgery and combined operations with urology, surgical oncology, cardiac surgery, trauma surgery and orthopaedic surgery.

 Educational Opportunities

As a fellow at Northwestern, you will receive exposure to many highly complex re-operative cases. The division protects the learning environment of its training programs through our robust group of physician extenders. Similarly, the strong collegial interaction with interventional radiology, interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery are elements that result in a vigorous training experience in both traditional open vascular surgery and advanced endoluminal interventions. The didactic educational conferences for the fellows and the vascular service include:

***All regularly scheduled, in-person didactic conferences have transitioned to a hybrid format as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Weekly Topic-Based CME Accredited Vascular Conference
  • Bi-Weekly Case Planning Conference
  • Annual Faculty-led mock oral session
  • Monthly Fenestrated Case Planning Conference
  • Bi-Monthly CME Accredited Vascular Quality Improvement and Mortality and Morbidity Conference
  • Monthly City-Wide Journal Club
  • Annual US Access Curriculum 
  • Annual HD Access Curriculum
  • Annual Vascular Symposium
  • Annual Fall Visiting Professor
  • Annual John J. Bergan Lecture

Above all, as a fellow in vascular surgery at Northwestern, you will receive expert training from faculty that demonstrate a cohesive academic mission to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care to patients. 

 Program Schedule

Fellowship Year 1

Fellowship year 1 training length and location
Training Length Rotation Location
6 months Vascular Surgery Northwestern Memorial Hospital
6 months Vascular Surgery Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

* Three of our faculty members hold staff positions at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

Fellowship Year 2

Fellowship year 2 training length and location
Training Length Rotation Location
6 months Vascular Surgery Northwestern Memorial Hospital
2 months Vascular Laboratory for Blood Flow Northwestern Memorial Hospital
2 months Clinical Research Northwestern Memorial Hospital
2 months Interventional Radiology Northwestern Memorial Hospital

*Optional elective rotations in vascular surgery at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital

 How to Apply

Candidates for the traditional Vascular Surgery Fellowship (5+2) must have successfully completed a general surgery residency program, as required by the American Board of Surgery, and must be board-eligible or board-certified. The program participates in the National Resident Matching Program and the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS); therefore, all candidates must participate in the Match.

Applications must be completed and submitted for review through ERAS by the beginning of January. Required components of the application process include:

  • A completed AAMC-NRMP application for Fellowship in General Vascular Surgery
  • A letter from the program director of your residency program
  • An official copy of your USMLE and ABSITE scores
  • An official medical school transcript
  • Two letters of reference, preferably from vascular surgery faculty members

After careful review by the faculty, selected applicants are invited via email to formal, virtual interviews. 

 Why Northwestern?

Housestaff training through McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University provides diverse and challenging clinical experiences and world-class education located in the heart of the beautiful city of Chicago. Learn more via the links to the McGaw website below.

Watch Our Videos

McGaw Experience Discover Feinberg Northwestern Medicine Community Partnership Program Learn More About Chicago Get to Know Streeterville

Contact Us

Mark K. Eskandari, MD

Mark K. Eskandari, MD

Program Director

Faculty Profile

Kelli Thornton

Program Coordinator

krockwe1( at )nm.org

312-695-6107

Fellows

Michael Kemp, M.D.

Michael Kemp, M.D.

Fellowship: 8/1/2023-Present
Senior Fellow, PGY-6

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Why did you choose Northwestern?

I chose Northwestern because it is known for providing excellent comprehensive care to patients with complex issues.  The program provides a broad exposure to all aspects of vascular surgery including open and endovascular techniques.

What is your vascular area of interest?

I am still determining my key interest but I particularly enjoy both open and endovascular cases involving peripheral arterial disease.

What is the best part of your training program?

Knowing that I will be clinically and technically well-trained at the end of my fellowship.  The program exposes you to the most complex disease processes. Therefore, I know that in my future practice even when I encounter something I have not seen before, I will have the skills to tackle the toughest patient issues.

Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life?

The program emphasizes collegiality and professionalism.  It also emphasizes connectedness amongst the trainees and faculty. In fact, one of my first weekends here, Dr. Rodriguez invited us over to his house for paella to celebrate the new academic year!

General Surgery Training: University of Michigan Health System

Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine

Sara Gaines, M.D.

Fellowship: 8/1/2022-Present
Junior Fellow, PGY-7

Learn More About Me

Why did you choose Northwestern? 

 I was looking for fellowship with exceptional training and mentorship.

What is your vascular area of interest? 

 Access and venous disease.

What is the best part of your training program? 

 Co-residents and fellows, complexity of cases

Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.

 Collegial, encouraging, engaged.

General Surgery Training: University of Chicago

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine

Recent Alumni

Nicholas Cortolillo, M.D.

Nicholas Cortolillo, M.D.

Fellowship: 8/1/2020-7/31/2022
Fellowship Alumnus

General Surgery Training: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, JFK Medical Center

Medical School: University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

Taehwan Yoo, M.D.

Taehwan Yoo, M.D.

Fellowship: 8/1/2019-7/31/2021
Fellowship Alumnus

General Surgery Training: Ohio State University 

Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School

Brian Wernick, M.D.

Brian Wernick, M.D.

Fellowship: 8/1/2018-7/31/2020
Fellowship Alumnus

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Why did you choose Northwestern? 
The attendings at Northwestern are leaders in the field and are passionate about teaching. We employ cutting edge technology such as, fenestrated aortic grafts, while still adhering to the basic tenets of vascular surgery. Of, course the people are second to none!

What is the vascular area of interest? 

I enjoy the entire spectrum of vascular surgery - from venous disease to complex aortic pathology. I also enjoy having the know-how to assist other surgeons including; surgical oncologists, orthopedics, trauma, and plastics.

What is the best part of your training program? 

The people! The attendings are incredible. I love working with my co-fellows and co-residents as well as the nurse practitioners, and all the ancillary staff are beyond helpful.

Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.

There's no doubt about it - the program is busy, but in the best way! We get exposure to the whole gamut of vascular surgery, not just the bread and butter cases like claudication. We patients with complex pathology that come from all over the state seeking the most advanced vascular care. At the same time, the attendings are supportive and provide the perfect combination of autonomy and oversight. People in general, enjoy coming to work everyday. Even as a native of Philly, who can beat living in this city! Chicago has so much to offer - great food, lots to do, and is a central hub to easily fly anywhere in the country

Vascular Surgeon at Advanced Vascular Associates, Morristown, NJ

General Surgery Training: Temple University the St. Luke's University Hospital

Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

 

Gabe Wallace, M.D.

Gabe Wallace, M.D.

Fellowship: 8/1/2017-7/31/2019
Fellowship Alumnus

Learn More About Me

Why did you choose Northwestern? 

I chose Northwestern for its clinically rigorous program at a tertiary center with exposure to a wide breadth of vascular surgery including complex endovascular and strong open surgical experiences. 


What is your vascular area of interest? 

The opportunity to treat the entire spectrum of vascular disease is the most interesting.


What is the best part of your training program? 

The people which encompass our faculty, staff, and patients.


Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.

High volume and excellent clinical care made possible by team effort. 

Vascular Surgeon at Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgical Associates, Chicago Ridge, IL

General Surgery Training: University of Washington School of Medicine

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine

Michael C. Soult, M.D.

Michael C. Soult, M.D.

Fellowship: 7/1/2016-6/30/2018
Fellowship Alumnus

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Why did you choose Northwestern? 

I was looking for a program that would not only teach me the basics of vascular surgery, but provide a broad case mix and complex cases. I also was looking for a program that had a strong complex aortic program. Lastly, I wanted attending staff that was dedicated to the teaching of fellows and were driven to produce high quality graduates that they would be confident in pursuing their future vascular practices. I felt Northwestern had these qualities and what helped me gravitate toward this fellowship.

What is your vascular area of interest? 

I enjoy complex aortic problems and working through their endovascular treatment options.

What is the best part of your training program? 

The best part of the training program is the amount of thought and preparation that go into each case. While sometimes feeling overwhelming at the beginning of training, the amount of time and effort put in to prepare for and discuss each case with attending staff has taught me a great deal on how to prepare and think through complex vascular problems so that many of those principles make tacking very complex problems much more routine.


Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life. 

Fellowship is’t easy, but I never expected it to be a cake walk. The fellows work hard but everyone gets along well and there is great camaraderie amongst the fellows and the integrated residents at all levels. There are some formal times the whole program gets together, but there are many informal activities amongst all the different trainees. The division gets along very well with the other surgical residencies and we are well respected by the other services.


How did the program prepare and develop you for independent practice?

Through all of our teaching conferences, case planning conferences, and graduated autonomy in the operating room, I feel the program prepared me well to start and develop my future practice. There are always times that experience of my partners will be beneficial, but I feel confident that my training has prepared me well.

Assistant Professor, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at Loyola University Medical Center

General Surgery: Eastern Virginia Medical School

Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health

Ashish K. Jain, M.D.

Ashish K. Jain, M.D.

Fellowship: 7/1/2016-6/30/2018
Fellowship Alumnus

Learn More About Me

Why did you choose Northwestern? 

Northwestern offers an educational experience that covers the entire scope of vascular surgery. The program not only trains fellows to become comfortable with both open and endovascular interventions for a variety of vascular surgical diseases, but it also exposed fellows to complex open and endovascular procedures that are not performed everywhere. 

What is your vascular area of interest? 
I am particularly interested in aortic work, although I plan to perform procedures in all areas of vascular surgery in my practice.

What is the best part of your training program?

The best part of the training program is the vascular team itself. The attendings, fellows, residents, nurse practitioners, OR nurses, coordinators, and administrative staff all get along with each other very well. This camaraderie within the department creates a comfortable environment for learning and training, and it allows us to care for our patients to the best of our abilities.

Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.

The program focuses on the value of education and training in the delivery of patient care, yet it also promotes a very safe and healthy lifestyle for residents. The whole team is vigilant about resident work hours, and we help each other make sure no one is going over hours. The department regularly hosts events a few times a year to get the residents/fellows together along with the rest of the vascular team in order to promote team building and camaraderie. The attendings, fellows, and residents work closely with each other on a daily basis, thereby establishing a strong working relationship with each other.   

Vascular Surgeon, hospital-based practice within Novant Presbyterian in Charlotte, NC

General Surgery: University of North Carolina 

Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine 

Physician-Scientist Training & Resources

We offer a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities and formal training programs to help our residents and fellows excel as physician-scientists. Explore all of the resources and hear from housestaff who are making research a major part of their career development plans.

VISIT THE STARZL ACADEMY SITE

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