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
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
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.
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Contact Us
Kelli Thornton
Program Coordinator
312-695-6107
Fellows
Michael Kemp, M.D.
Fellowship: 8/1/2023-Present
Senior Fellow, PGY-6
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
General Surgery Training: University of Chicago
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Recent Alumni
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.
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.
Fellowship: 8/1/2018-7/31/2020
Fellowship Alumnus
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.
Fellowship: 8/1/2017-7/31/2019
Fellowship Alumnus
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.
Fellowship: 7/1/2016-6/30/2018
Fellowship Alumnus
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.
Fellowship: 7/1/2016-6/30/2018
Fellowship Alumnus
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.