Introduction:

The Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital (MVRH), a large private practice, multi-specialty emergency and referral hospital, is home to a three-year ACVS small animal surgical residency. Our residency is characterized by a high and varied caseload, as well as a dedicated commitment to a comprehensive didactic and research program that allows for successful completion of all residency training requirements required by the ACVS.

Application Specifics:

We run our application process outside of the VIRMP match program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Interviews will be scheduled as applications are received. We strongly encourage our applicants not to wait until the application deadline to submit application materials, so that an interview can be planned in a timely manner. In-person interviews are preferred, although remote options will be available. We will notify our applicants of their outcome by January 2025, prior to the VIRMP withdrawal deadline.

• Residency start date: July 14, 2025
• Deadline for completed application (including letters of reference): November 26, 2024
• Required application documents: Letter of intent, curriculum vitae, veterinary school transcripts, three letters of recommendation.
• Apply here:  https://nva.avature.net/jobs/JobDetail/Veterinary-Resident-Surgery-United-States-Massachusetts-Ethos/25922
  • Your mentors can send their letters of recommendation to: Dr. Daniel Frem at dfrem@ethosvet.com
• Questions?: Please direct these to Nicole Amato, Residency Program Director at namato@ethosvet.com 

Qualifications:

The successful applicant will be a veterinarian (DVM or equivalent) who has completed (or is nearing completion of) a small animal rotating or specialty small animal surgical internship. Applicants must be eligible to become licensed in the state of Massachusetts and hold a Massachusetts State Control Substance License and DEA license by the start of their residency.

Clinical Objectives:

The MVRH small animal surgery residency program is designed to provide residents with an intensive clinical, didactic and research experience under the guidance of our surgical staff, in preparation for ACVS certification. Through case-based learning and diverse surgical experience, the participant will gain expertise in all areas of small animal surgery (orthopedic, soft tissue, emergency, neurologic, minimally invasive and oncologic) while working in a busy surgical service, in a high-volume emergency/specialty referral hospital. Our residents have ample opportunity to perform a wide variety of surgical procedures under the direct supervision of our surgeons, allowing them to gain the necessary skill and confidence to thrive. Each resident is expected to graduate with the widespread ability to perform most common surgical procedures, as well as diagnose, treat and manage these conditions. Residents are exposed to interventional radiology/image-guided procedures and required to rotate through the neurology service regularly as part of overall training. Through close collaboration with other hospital departments, along with required specialty rotations in internal medicine, critical care, oncology, neurology, pathology (clinical and anatomic) and anesthesiology, the resident is expected to grow considerably as a well-rounded clinician.

Didactic Objectives:

As surgeons dedicated to the growth of well-rounded, highly skilled individuals, our program is committed to providing our residents with an educational experience beyond what is provided in the operating room and on the clinic floor. The didactic component of the training program is designed to comprehensively cover all body systems through participation in weekly surgery case rounds, weekly educational rounds (topic rounds, lectures, journal club, M & M rounds, tumor rounds, chapter reviews), quarterly cadaver/skills labs, regular specialty service rounds (radiology, neurology) and periodic lectures provided by other house officers and staff doctors. We are equally dedicated to providing our trainees with the necessary knowledge to successfully pass their Phase I and Phase II examinations provided by the ACVS. Additionally, we require residents to participate in the AO VET Principles in Small Animal Fracture Management in their first year and the Arthrex Principles of Arthroscopy course in their second year, as well as many other continuing education opportunities as possible, including attendance at ACVS and other symposiums throughout the year.

Research Objectives:

In addition to our clinical and didactic programs, our residents and their assigned research mentors are closely supported through the ACVS research and manuscript requirement, by our relationship with Ethos Discovery. Ethos Discovery is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created and run by veterinarians, that functions to create scientific research that will advance veterinary and human medical science.

Professional Growth Objectives:

Although the MVRH surgery residency focuses largely on helping our residents meet their clinical, didactic and research goals, we also pride ourselves in the practice of fostering leadership and professional growth in these individuals as they traverse each year of training. Opportunities are provided to help foster these skills and provide our residents with the necessary framework to succeed in all aspects of their veterinary career. Residents will be held to the highest standard of leadership, professionalism, communication and medical ethics. Periodic evaluations are conducted to ensure the resident is meeting their benchmarks in veterinary surgical training and professional growth and development.

Each resident is given ample opportunity to work directly with Ethos Discovery on a challenging project that will ultimately culminate in a published manuscript in an ACVS approved peer-reviewed journal.

About Our Surgery Service and Hospital:

MVRH is the home to six diversely skilled surgeons (5 ACVS Diplomates and 1 Board eligible surgeon) and four surgery residents. We are supported by a remarkable team of surgery and anesthesia technicians, veterinary technician liaisons, client service representatives, hospital service managers and medical directorship. Our busy surgery caseload is characterized by a well-balanced blend of soft tissue, orthopedic, minimally invasive, image-guided and oncologic surgery, with a significant component dedicated to emergency and trauma surgery. In addition to the MVRH surgeons, our collaborative team of specialists includes 2 anesthesiologists, 8 internal medicine specialists, 8 critical care/emergency specialists, 2 neurologists, 3 cardiologists, 4 radiologists, 1 ophthalmologist, and 2 oncologists. Our on-site equipment includes an Arthrex tower for arthroscopic and laparoscopic/thoracoscopic surgery, Arthrex locking and conventional plating systems, IMEX circular/linear/hybrid external fixator hardware, BioMedtrix I-Loc Interlocking Nail System, Covidien Force-Triad platforms, MRI, 64-slice CT, on-site hemodialysis, echocardiography, ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, digital radiology, rigid and flexible endoscopy/bronchoscopy/cystoscopy, and mechanical ventilation. Our high-volume emergency and critical service provides 24-hour care to our patients in a top-notch ICU and most of our specialty services run 7 days a week.

The comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Continuing education allowance
• 2 weeks paid vacation per year
• Access to Ethos On-line Veterinary Library/peer-reviewed journal database
• Eligibility for Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage; Eligibility for Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Eligibility to participate in 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Professional Liability Coverage