Overview
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Vascular Medicine Fellowship Program
As part of the Tomsich Family Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, the Section of Vascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic is one of the most active Vascular Medicine programs in the United States. We see patients with a wide variety of common and unusual vascular problems. The section is particularly active in the evaluation and treatment of all forms of arterial, venous, and lymphatic disorders, cardiovascular risk factor management, thrombotic disorders and hypercoagulable states and wound care.
A one year, non-invasive Vascular Medicine Fellowship Program is available. This structured program is directed at internal medicine graduates and cardiology fellow graduates with interest in acquiring expertise training in the non-invasive diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial disease, arterial and venous thrombosis, hypercoagulable states, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, lymphatic disease, and vascular wound care. We have an active noninvasive vascular laboratory with ample opportunities for clinical research.
During the fellowship, the fellow becomes an expert in all aspects of vascular medicine. At the end of his or her training, the fellow is a qualified specialist in this field and eligible to sit for the American Board of Vascular Medicine exam.
A research project is required during the training period with the goal of a journal publication and presentation at a national meeting. Fellows help organize and implement an active teaching program as experience warrants. Many conferences, didactic and participation-based, are part of the overall educational experience of the fellowship.
Clinical Experience
The one year fellowship is divided between the inpatient consultation service (approximately 4 months), the non-invasive vascular laboratory (3 months), outpatient clinic, and elective rotations. While on the inpatient consultation service, the fellow leads the vascular medicine team and has an active role on the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT). Substantial time is also spent in the outpatient Vascular Medicine clinic with our staff. Additional experience is gained through rotations with Vascular Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Wound Care, Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) Clinic, and Vasculitis Clinic. Elective rotations are available in Preventive Cardiology, Dermatology, Pathology, the Cerebrovascular Center, or other related fields as one’s interest develop.
There is also ample opportunity to learn sclerotherapy, pseudoaneurysm thrombin injection, and vascular rehabilitation. At the completion of the fellowship the fellow is qualified to sit for the American Board of Vascular Medicine (ABVM) certification examination as well as the Physician Vascular Interpretation (PVI) exam or the Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) examination.
State of the Art Vascular Laboratory
Approximately 32,000 studies are performed annually in the non-invasive vascular laboratory including physiologic testing as well as duplex ultrasonography. Three months is allotted to training in this setting, allowing the fellow to become proficient in all aspects of the non-invasive assessment of the arterial and venous circulation. The rich vascular imaging database lends great support to research endeavors.
Research
A research project is required during the training period. Both retrospective and prospective research studies can be performed through the Section of Vascular Medicine. The abundant data and patient volume can support research in venous thromboembolism, hypercoagulable states, therapeutic trials, arterial vascular disease, ultrasound/imaging, and wound care. Collaborative efforts with other departments are encouraged. It is anticipated that the completed project will be presented at a national meeting and result in publication.
Academic Environment
Aside from clinical opportunities, the fellowship offers many additional educational experiences. Didactic lectures, journal clubs, and inter-department conferences are built into the curriculum. There are also ample opportunities for fellow-led teaching for residents and other trainees.
Education/Conference Schedule
- Monday
Vascular Medicine Fellow Conference - Tuesday
Didactic Conference; PERT team monthly meetings - Wednesday
Vascular Medicine Grand Rounds; Heart and Vascular Institute Tall Rounds; Thrombosis Meetings; interdisciplinary Hematology and Rheumatology Case Conferences - Thursday
Vascular Surgery PAD Conference; Internal Medicine Grand Rounds - Friday
Cardiovascular Grand Rounds; Vascular Laboratory education conference
Application Process
Cleveland Clinic is accepting applications for a one-year clinical fellowship beginning July 2021. Application materials are accepted through Dec. 14, 2020, for the 2021-2022 fellowship year that will begin on July 1, 2021.
Deborah Hornacek, MD
Section of Vascular Medicine
9500 Euclid Ave./Desk J3-5
Cleveland, OH 44195
Or contact Georgann Yonkers
Vascular Medicine Education Coordinator
216.444.6720
Email: yonkerg@ccf.org
