Steven D. Abramowitz, MD
Director, MedStar Vascular Program; Chairman, Department of Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery has emerged as a distinct specialty that combines open surgical expertise, endovascular techniques, medical management, decision-making and advanced knowledge of vascular imaging techniques. The vascular surgeon is the only specialist who is able to provide comprehensive care for patients with non-cardiac vascular disease as well as venous and lymphatic problems.
The Vascular Residency Fellowship offered by MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center, both members of MedStar Health, is specifically designed to train broadly based specialists who can provide comprehensive vascular care. The Veterans Administration Medical Center provides an added dimension to our program.
Each of these three institutions provides comprehensive vascular care, but with a unique emphasis:
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is the home of a comprehensive limb salvage center, with a focus on multidisciplinary care of patients with infrainguinal occlusive disease and threatened limbs
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center has a comprehensive program in complex aortic reconstruction
- VA hospital provides opportunities for both inpatient and outpatient experience, graduated responsibility and excellent exposure to both the Vascular Laboratory and vascular medicine
Conferences
Weekly multi-institutional conferences provide an opportunity for residents and faculty to meet and discuss cases, review current knowledge in vascular surgery and study the fundamental principles of vascular biology. Emphasis is on self directed learning, critical application of the principles of vascular disease management and the acquisition of expertise in open and endovascular surgery. Learn more about our conferences.
Clinical and research experience
The sine qua non of a surgical residency is acquisition of appropriate technical skills and the ability to develop independent management skills. Residents gain extensive clinical experience since the combined institutions perform approximately 2,200 reconstructive procedures per year.
Residents are given progressive responsibility throughout their training, and are facile in the operative and non-operative management of all aspects of vascular disease. In addition to clinical experience, our residents are actively engaged in clinical research and present their results at regional and national professional meetings. Finally, we are proud that all of our residents have successfully board certified in vascular surgery on their first attempt.
Faculty support
Our faculty prides itself on its devotion to resident education, development of close relationships between residents and faculty and investment in the ongoing professional success of our graduates. We believe we provide one of the premiere training experiences in vascular surgery available in the United States. Meet our vascular surgery faculty, and learn more about the application process.