Department of Surgery

Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Chief's Message

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Gustavo S. Oderich, MD
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It is a privilege and honor to lead the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine. Our legacy is deeply rooted in the groundbreaking work of giants like Drs. Michael E. DeBakey, Denton A. Cooley and E. Stanley Crawford, whose pioneering work laid the foundation of our specialty. We remain committed to upholding the values of excellence, compassion and innovation of our predecessors.

The new era in our division marks significant advances in clinical practice, research and education. Our dedicated team of surgeons offers expertise in a wide range of arterial and venous diseases. State-of-the art treatment is available for patients with aortic aneurysms and dissections using the most complex open surgical or endovascular techniques. The newly added Baylor Medicine Center for Aortic Surgery is one of a few sites in the United States, and the only one in Houston, that offers access to a broad range of manufactured, off-the-shelf and custom fenestrated and branched stent-grafts for endovascular repair of aortic arch, thoracoabdominal and aortoiliac aneurysms. Some of this cutting-edge treatment is only available through active FDA trials. 

A comprehensive peripheral artery disease program initiated by Dr. Joseph Mills offers a world-renowned multidisciplinary approach to limb salvage and diabetic foot complications. The Save The Extremity Program (STEP) is fully integrated across the greater Houston area and within Baylor’s hospital affiliates, including Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Ben Taub Hospital. The latest advances in in wound care, open and endovascular limb revascularization are available with a dedicated group of expert vascular and podiatric surgeons. Our non-invasive Vascular Lab, led by Drs. Joseph Mills and Thanila Macedo, provides inpatient and outpatient evaluation with the highest standards of excellence in vascular ultrasound and other non-invasive modalities to assist with the screening and diagnostic work up of patients with aortic, carotid, renal, mesenteric and extremity arterial and venous diseases. 

The vascular surgery educational and research missions are equally important. Baylor Vascular Surgery Fellowship and Integrated Residency programs are recognized for their excellence in training the next generation of surgeons. The programs boast distinguished faculty with national and international recognition, providing fellows and residents with access to a wealth of expertise and diverse background.  Additionally, our program offers unique basic science and clinical research opportunities with access to experimental research, artificial intelligence, multicenter databases and clinical trials. 

Looking forward, we are excited to start a new chapter and continue the tradition of leadership in the vascular specialty, remaining steadfast in our commitment to advancing patient care, scientific discovery, and education. It is an extraordinary privilege to build on the rich history of Baylor College of Medicine and the incredible legacy left by those whose vision has shaped the field of vascular surgery. 

Gustavo S. Oderich, M.D.
Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy
Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery
Director, Baylor Medicine Center for Aortic Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine