Vascular Surgery Fellowship

Welcome Message

A collaboration between HCA St. David's HealthCare System and Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS), we are proud to be the first Vascular Surgery Fellowship in Austin. Our program was founded on a simple but powerful mission — to train the next generation of vascular surgeons to be efficient, technically excellent, and clinically independent leaders.

Here in Austin, innovation thrives — from technology and music to medicine. CTVS has been at the forefront of vascular care in Central Texas for over 60 years, and our partnership with St. David's HealthCare offers an unmatched combination of clinical volume, procedural diversity, and collegial culture. Fellows operate daily alongside experienced faculty in high-volume office-based labs and tertiary referral hospitals, gaining hands-on expertise in both open and endovascular surgery.

What makes our fellowship unique is its balance between autonomy and mentorship. Fellows are treated as junior partners — not just trainees — with opportunities to lead cases, design clinical research, and mentor students through our Vascular CORPS (Clinical Outcomes Research Program for Students). Our graduates will leave confident in all aspects of vascular surgery, including carotid, aortic, peripheral, and dialysis access surgery, as well as advanced endovascular interventions using the latest technologies.

Austin itself is an incredible place to live and train. The city's vibrant energy, outdoor lifestyle, and cultural diversity mirror the collaborative, forward-thinking spirit of our program. Whether on the lake, in the operating room, or presenting at a national meeting, our fellows are part of a community that values excellence, integrity, and innovation.

We invite you to join us in shaping the future of vascular surgery — in a city and a program where hard work, creativity, and purpose come together every day.

About our program

The HCA St. David's – CTVS Vascular Surgery Fellowship offers a comprehensive and high-volume training experience designed to develop efficient and confident vascular surgeons equipped to succeed in independent practice upon graduation. With one fellow accepted per year (two total in training), our program provides individualized mentorship and hands-on experience across the full spectrum of vascular disease.

Fellows rotate through three distinct clinical regions — South, Central, and North Austin — encompassing five busy hospitals within the St. David's HealthCare network. This structure ensures exposure to a diverse range of patient populations, practice models, and procedural environments. Fellows participate in a robust mix of open and endovascular surgery, including complex aortic repair, carotid revascularization, lower-extremity revascularization, and dialysis access surgery, as well as outpatient interventions in our modern office-based labs.

The curriculum features weekly dedicated didactic sessions focused on leadership development, technical excellence, and board readiness. Our goal is not only to produce technically proficient surgeons but also well-rounded physicians who understand the nuances of clinical decision-making, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered care.

In addition to core clinical training, fellows complete specialized rotations in vascular ultrasound, research, and venous disease management. These experiences strengthen essential skills in noninvasive vascular imaging, scholarly inquiry, and outpatient procedural techniques — all critical to modern vascular practice. Research is supported through the HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education network, providing access to extensive data resources, mentorship, and infrastructure to promote clinical investigation and scholarly productivity. Fellows are expected to present their work at regional or national vascular meetings and submit at least one manuscript for publication.

With close faculty interaction, diverse clinical exposure, and institutional commitment to innovation, the HCA St. David's – CTVS Vascular Surgery Fellowship offers an exceptional environment to prepare for a rewarding and impactful career in vascular surgery.

List of faculty

David A. Nation, M.D., FACS

David A. Nation, M.D., FACS trained in general surgery at UT Southwestern and completed his vascular surgery fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is recognized for his outstanding teaching of General Surgery residents and will serve as Simulation Lead. Dr. Nation is an expert in all aspects of vascular and endovascular surgery.

Nicolas Zea, M.D., RPVI, FACS

Nicolas Zea, M.D., RPVI, FACS trained in general and vascular surgery at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans. He later served on faculty at LSU Health Sciences Center and Tulane Medical Center, where he received multiple teaching awards. Dr. Zea joined CTVS in 2021 and serves as Associate Program Director, maintaining a comprehensive vascular practice based in the North Market and specializing in all aspects of vascular and endovascular surgery.

Curriculum

The St David's Healthcare GME Vascular Surgery Fellowship offers a comprehensive, hands-on training experience designed to prepare fellows for independent practice in all aspects of open and endovascular surgery.

The two-year curriculum emphasizes progressive autonomy, efficiency, and clinical leadership—the hallmark of our training philosophy.

Fellows rotate among the South, Central, and North Austin hospitals, gaining exposure to a broad spectrum of vascular pathology and diverse operative techniques. Each site provides unique learning opportunities within high-volume practices.

The South rotation incorporates dedicated vein and vascular ultrasound rotations, ensuring proficiency in duplex interpretation, vein procedures, and office-based interventions. All fellows participate in office-based laboratories (OBLs), vascular labs, and vein clinics, developing skills in patient selection, imaging, and longitudinal management of chronic vascular disease.

Weekly mandatory didactic sessions include structured board-exam preparation, RPVI (Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation) curriculum, and high-fidelity simulation experiences in both open and endovascular techniques. Leadership development and professional practice management are integrated throughout the curriculum to prepare fellows for real-world clinical and administrative responsibilities.

Fellows work closely with junior HCA general surgery residents and medical students from the Texas A&M University College of Medicine, fostering teaching and mentorship skills within a collaborative academic environment.

Dedicated research time is provided to encourage scholarly productivity. Each fellow is expected to complete at least one manuscript suitable for publication and present their findings at a regional or national vascular meeting.

Through this balanced approach to clinical excellence, education, leadership, and scholarship, the St. David's GME Vascular Surgery Fellowship produces vascular surgeons who are technically skilled, academically engaged, and prepared to lead in any practice setting.