Division of Vascular Surgery

Our team of dedicated physicians provides world-class patient care, research and training. We design the most effective and least invasive treatment plan tailored to each patient's individual needs.
Cardiologist Omar Ali, MD, FACC in a heart and vascular surgery in Lowell General Hospital's Cath Lab talking to nurse while pointing to a large screen showing a heart scan.
Dedication to improving quality of life

We are experts in the management of arterial and venous diseases. Our division has been a long-standing, dedicated vascular practice at Tufts Medical Center (Tufts MC) since 1966 and treats more than 4,500 patients annually.

The division's vascular surgeons use their clinical expertise and research interests to contribute to the field significantly. Our research and clinical breakthroughs include a current clinical trial using stem cell therapy to treat advanced arterial disease (to avoid amputation) when no other treatment options are available.

We are also home to a 2-year, fully accredited ACGME Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program that provides a complete and seamless educational experience for emerging leaders in this field.

We are also a major component of Tufts MC's CardioVascular Center, a multidisciplinary center of excellence dedicated to treating all forms of cardiovascular disease. In addition, the Division of Vascular Surgery boasts strong collaborative relationships with Neurology, Nephrology, Rehabilitative Medicine, Infectious Diseases and other medical subspecialty groups. Collaboration with these departments allows patients to receive seamless care across the Medical Center.

We provide expert evaluation and care in all areas of vascular disease management. In particular, our physicians are extremely skilled in minimally invasive endovascular management of aortic aneurysms, carotid artery interventions for stroke prevention and treatment of arterial diseases of the extremities and chronic venous disease.

Contact info

Department research

Vascular surgery research has a long tradition of excellence at Tufts MC. We are at the forefront of cellular therapies, wound care, radiation safety, venous disease and aneurysm breakthroughs. Learn more about our research projects here.

Relay Pro-A:

For patients with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (TAAs) requiring intervention, endovascular treatment by placing a device called a stent graft is usually recommended. This clinical trial aims to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a newly redesigned device that is more flexible and on a smaller delivery device than existing devices. The RelayPro Thoracic Stent-Graft will be offered to patients with TAAs meeting certain inclusion criteria. This device may be particularly useful in patients with narrowed arteries leading to the legs in whom passing the current larger devices can be a challenge. 
Residencies + fellowships

The Vascular Surgery Fellowship is a 2-year program that is fully accredited by the American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Having been one of the founding 11 programs in 1984, we have been in continuous operation since then, with every graduate having achieved certification in vascular surgery.

Our graduates have taken many paths; some have filled leadership positions in academic institutions throughout the country, serving as officers in vascular surgical societies and advancing the field as principal investigators and authors on various basic science and clinical research initiatives. Many others have provided years of dedicated service to their patients in community or rural hospitals, bringing state-of-the-art vascular care where needed.

This 2-year program provides a continuous and seamless educational experience. This is a classic “5+2” program. Thus, all entering fellows have completed an accredited general surgery residency.

The first year of the fellowship incorporates formal training in noninvasive vascular laboratory technology and interventional radiology. This training meets the requirements for the fellow’s RVT or RPVI examination application. The second year is a concentrated experience in traditional vascular surgery, inpatient and outpatient care, vascular consultations and vascular emergencies.

The first and second-year fellows work in concert, providing care to all vascular patients in the Medical Center. Tufts MC has a “closed” staff model, meaning that all vascular surgeons are full-time faculty dedicated to excellence in patient care and education. There is no non-teaching vascular service at Tufts MC. Fellows learn and provide care to our patients in ambulatory clinics, outpatient surgical suites, inpatient floors, intensive care units, IR suites and a state-of-the-art hybrid OR suite.

Our leadership

Our leadership team gives us the guidance and support we need to ensure that the clinical, research and training goals of the department are met.
Beth Phelan, RN comforting a pre surgery patient in stretcher in hallway in Lowell General Hospital's Heart and Vascular department.
Our locations

From regular office visits to inpatient stays, our specialists across Tufts Medicine offer the best in healthcare, when and where our patients need it.
Cardiologist Omar Ali, MD, FACC performing a surgery on a heart and vascular patient in Lowell General Hospital's Cath Lab with the help of a nurse.
Our doctors + care team

Our specialists and care team members across Tufts Medicine deliver unmatched healthcare with a personalized touch.