Alumni Keep Northwestern’s Vascular Surgery Program Thriving

For Marian McNamara, MD, ’77 GME, of Kirkland, Washington, returning to Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine for the 50th anniversary of its vascular surgery training program was a full-circle moment.

“I was the first woman in the fellowship program,” she said, “and I thought, this was where I was meant to be."

Almost five decades earlier, Dr. McNamara joined the second-ever cohort of vascular surgery fellows at Northwestern at a time when the specialty itself was still emerging. Under the mentorship of pioneering surgeons John J. Bergan, MD, ’59 GME, who was founder of the Division of Vascular Surgery, and James S. T. “Jimmy” Yao, MD, PhD, who served as chief of the division for 10 years and then chair of the department of surgery from 1998–2001, she was immersed in a program that emphasized not just technical skill, but thoughtful planning, documentation, and presentation.

In December 2024, Dr. McNamara and other vascular surgery alumni convened at the medical school from as far away as Australia to celebrate the program’s 50th anniversary in conjunction with the Annual Northwestern Vascular Symposium. At the event, she delivered remarks, sharing memories from her time as a fellow.

On her first day, she recalled, Dr. Bergan told her, “‘I don’t think that I need to teach you anything technical in surgery—I think you already know that, or you wouldn't be here.’” Instead, “he was focused on critical thinking skills in the operating room.”

Dr. McNamara’s cohort learned how to think, plan, and adapt in the operating room. That philosophy, developed by Drs. Bergan and Yao, shaped both her career and the Northwestern program itself for decades to come.

“We’ve gone from one to 12 trainees a year,” said Mark K. Eskandari, MD, ’01 GME, system chief and fellowship program director of the Division of Vascular Surgery and the James S. T. Yao Professor of Vascular Surgery. “That growth reflects the strength of our faculty, our curriculum, and the enduring support of our alumni.”

In addition to other pivotal experiences, Dr. McNamara credited Drs. Bergan and Yao’s mentorship and eagerness to introduce her to key figures in the field with setting her up for success.

“The fellowship was the most important part of my surgical career, no question about it,” she said.

At the dinner, more than 45 past fellows gathered to celebrate the legacy of the program, expressing gratitude for its familial atmosphere and the exceptional mentorship provided by its faculty.

Among them was Melina R. Kibbe, MD, ’03 GME, president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) and editor-in-chief of JAMA Surgery. She paid tribute to the late Dr. Yao, acknowledging his lasting impact on her career and character. She also recognized William Pearce, MD, ’82 GME, who served as division chief from 1998–2010, for the invaluable knowledge he shared with her and many other trainees.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank them both,” she said of Drs. Pearce and Yao.

Dr. Kibbe went on to reflect on the enduring relationships formed during the fellowship, emphasizing the strong sense of community that continues to unite alumni.

“I have definitely come to view those who trained at Northwestern as part of a family,” Dr. Kibbe said. “No matter where we are around the globe or what stage of our career we are in, we are always there for one another.”

50 Years of Impact

Alumni have been instrumental in shaping and sustaining the vascular surgery program’s excellence, Dr. Eskandari said, and their dedication was evident at the 50th-anniversary event, attended by over half of the program’s 90 alumni.

Some visited from prestigious posts around the world, while many other alumni already were local, having returned to Chicago to practice at institutions like Loyola University Medical Center, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, Endeavor Health, and Advocate Health. Still others, like Dr. Eskandari himself, had returned to Feinberg after graduation to teach and mentor.

Philanthropy plays a vital role in the program’s success. From funding simulation technologies, research initiatives, and educational events, generous alumni also ensure that current trainees have access to top-tier resources. One of the most visible examples is the annual vascular symposium, which invites 50 speakers from across the globe for a two-and-a-half-day exchange of ideas and mentorship attended by over 150 guests.

“It’s a chance for trainees to learn from leading experts in the field and for alumni to reconnect with one another and inspire the next generation,” Dr. Eskandari explained.

The symposium gives vascular surgery alumni a reliable touchpoint for keeping engaged with Northwestern. After completing her fellowship in 1977, Dr. McNamara went on to work in both academic and private practice settings. She said she has attended the symposium many times over the years for the opportunity to learn from leaders in the field, connect with mentors, and meet current and past trainees.

Now retired, Dr. McNamara is focused on legacy building. Her philanthropy supports vascular surgery research at Northwestern, a program she trusts deeply.

“I donate to programs with a strong track record,” she said. “And, certainly, vascular surgery at Northwestern has an extremely strong track record, both in clinical medicine and in research.”

Honoring Trailblazers

Dr. Pearce, an alumnus himself, also attended the 50th-anniversary celebration. While he retired in 2018, the William H. Pearce, MD, Vascular Surgery Student Research Award honors his legacy of teaching, research, and patient care.

Dr. Yao’s legacy was especially felt by alumni who had trained under him. His widow, Louise Yao, attended the event, held just two years after his passing. At Northwestern, Dr. Yao’s influence lives on through an endowed professorship and a research leadership fund that supports trainee-led clinical research.

Dr. Bergan, who initially recruited Dr. Yao to Northwestern, also drew numerous tributes from program alumni. His impact also lives on at the medical school through an annual endowed lectureship supported by alumni and his family. He passed away in 2014.

As the program enters its next chapter, its foundation remains rock solid, built upon decades of devoted leadership, innovation, and alumni who never really leave.

“It’s unique to see this level of sustained engagement,” Dr. Eskandari said. “But it’s the connection, both personal and professional, between the trainees and the faculty here at Northwestern that keeps them coming back.”

For Dr. McNamara, the 50th anniversary was more than a milestone—it was an affirmation of a lifelong bond.

"They followed our careers, mentored us, and stayed connected,” she said.

For more information about supporting the Division of Vascular Surgery, please contact David McCreery at david.mccreery@northwestern.edu or 312-503-6099.

This story was published in the September 2025 issue of The Philanthropist, a newsletter for supporters and friends of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. View our publications here.