Quality Fellowship In Training (FIT) Program

The SVS PSO Quality Fellowship in Training (FIT) program is for residents and fellows in vascular surgery and medicine in collaboration with APDVS.

The Fellowship in Training (FIT) program is designed to introduce residents and fellows in vascular programs to our patient safety organization (VQI/PSO). Using a mentor-directed approach, FIT applicants will work closely with their VQI mentor on participation in regional biannual meetings and review of comparative data including center level quality improvement processes.  Opportunities include engagement in quality charter development, center level QI process and research initiatives using VQI data reviewed by VQI research advisory committee (RAC). 

Advancement through the 12 to 18 month program provides the FIT applicant opportunity to present their work during VQI@VAM with potential selection for a highly coveted Jack L Cronenwett Scholarship (5 awarded annually) worth up to $10,000 to continue research and/or work more closely with VQI/PSO staff and committees. 

Meet the 2024-2025 Participants!

The application window is now closed for 2025

The Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) offers a mentor-based program for residents and fellows interested in vascular disease. This program is open to interested residents and fellows in General Surgery, both tracks of Vascular Surgery programs, Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Medicine. The Quality Fellowship in Training (FIT) program is a Society for Vascular Surgery Patient Safety Organization (SVS PSO) program that provides mentor directed opportunities for residents and fellows to engage in quality improvement and metrics through VQI regional study group participation and grass roots quality assurance opportunities at the local center level. The 12–18-month program encourages FIT participants to develop quality charters and improvement projects including research using VQI data for presentation at our national VQI@VAM meetings. Five participants will be eligible for a scholarship award, named in honor of Dr. Jack L Cronenwett, the co-founder of VQI.

For further information please contact Betsy Wymer, Director of Quality, at bwymer@svspso.org, Dr. Adam Johnson at adam.johnson@duke.edu, or Dr. Nikolaos Zacharias at nzacharias@mgh.harvard.edu.

The Jack Cronenwett (JC) Scholarship Application period is currently closed and will reopen in 2026.

The scholarship is named in honor of Jack L. Cronenwett, MD (JC) for his contributions to improving and advancing vascular care, and as founding Medical Director of the SVS-PSO. Dr. Cronenwett is a professor of surgery at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, professor of the Dartmouth Center for Health Care Policy and Clinical Research and Chief Medical Officer for Fivos, VQI’s data management partner. Each JLC awardee is provided with a monetary stipend, usable for travel expenditures to VQI sponsored meetings/events and statistical support if needed.