University of North Carolina Hospitals Program

Program Identity & Fit

UNC's integrated vascular surgery residency is a university-based, tertiary/quaternary referral program serving as the advanced vascular care hub for North Carolina and surrounding states, with two hybrid endovascular suites, a dedicated angio-suite, and a partnership with private Rex Hospital in Raleigh that deliberately exposes trainees to both academic and private-practice operative cultures. The five-year curriculum blends core general surgery training with progressive, graduated-autonomy vascular training across open and endovascular domains, spanning routine to complex aortic, cerebrovascular, and hybrid/fenestrated cases, with residents expected to reach RPVI eligibility and near-independent operative status by year five. Research is a structured expectation rather than optional: residents participate in an active clinical trials infrastructure, monthly research meetings, and are expected to produce national presentations and peer-reviewed publications, supported by departmental NIH funding and mentorship pathways. Graduate outcomes show a genuine split between academic and community/private practice placements, reflecting a program that values technical breadth, procedural independence, and adaptability across practice environments rather than steering trainees toward a single career track.