Medically reviewed by Dr. Peter J. Pappas on July 15, 2025
We’re proud to introduce the remarkable physicians graduating from this intensive training program and explain what makes CVR a trusted name in vein health.
When it comes to your health, experience matters. So does innovation. At Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), we believe the best way to provide world-class vein care is to lead the field, not just in treating vein disease, but in researching it, improving it, and training the next generation of experts.
That’s exactly why CVR created its Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Fellowship Program, the first and only program of its kind offered by a physician-led vein care organization.
Founded in 2017 by Dr. Sanjiv Lakhanpal, CVR’s Founder and CEO, and a world-renowned leader in venous medicine, the program has grown into the largest of its kind in the U.S.
Schedule a consultation with a CVR specialist today and see the difference that advanced training, clinical excellence, and compassionate care can make in your life.
📞 Call CVR at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
CVR’s Fellowship Program trains board-certified doctors from a wide range of backgrounds, including internal medicine, emergency medicine, OB/GYN, and more, to become specialists in vein and lymphatic care. These aren’t medical students or interns. They are experienced physicians who choose to expand their knowledge and skills by completing a full year of focused training in venous and lymphatic medicine.
During their training, these physicians complete over four times the required number of vein procedures. But the program isn’t just about technique. “By the end of the 12 months,” says program director Dr. Peter J. Pappas:
“They’ve mastered not only the technical skills but also the cognitive knowledge that sets a great vein doctor apart—like understanding where the medical debates are in the literature.” –Dr. Peter Pappas
When the program began in 2017, CVR had just one fellow, working in a single state. Today, up to nine fellows train across five states: New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, Michigan, and Virginia. The program is so successful that Center for Vein Restoration now requires all fellows to stay on for three years after graduation, placing them in new clinics or helping to support growth in existing ones. This ensures consistency and high-quality care at every CVR location.
“Finding qualified vein physicians is one of the biggest challenges in our industry. By training them ourselves, we know exactly who they are, what they know, and how they treat patients.” –Dr. Peter J. Pappas
🩺Want care from a vein doctor trained by the best?
Book an appointment today with a CVR vein specialist who has been trained through our nationally recognized fellowship program or has been designated as an expert trainer.
At Center for Vein Restoration, we don’t believe in just “getting the job done.” We believe in doing it better, safer, and smarter—with a deep commitment to innovation and patient care. That’s why our fellowship program is built on the same standards used by nationally accredited medical training programs. In fact, Dr. Pappas, who designed the program, has over 20 years of experience as a medical educator in surgery and vascular care.
Here’s what makes CVR’s Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Fellowship different:
Plus, the program provides tools that support long-term success: textbooks, stipends for continuing education, and national conference attendance. CVR doesn’t cut corners when it comes to training the very best.
You might be wondering what all of this has to do with you, the patient? The answer is simple: When you choose CVR, you’re choosing a practice that not only treats vein problems but sets the standard for how they’re treated nationwide.
Unlike other vein centers, Center for Vein Restoration is a national thought leader in the field. We’re involved in research, education, and clinical innovation. We don’t just follow best practices—we help define them.
When you’re seen by a CVR physician, you can trust that:
And if your physician happens to be a graduate of our fellowship program, you can rest easy knowing they’ve completed one of the most rigorous and respected vein care training programs in the country.
The fellowship program also plays a key role in CVR’s nationwide expansion. As more people seek treatment for varicose veins, spider veins, and leg pain, we need more high-quality physicians to meet that demand. Thanks to the fellowship, CVR can expand into new areas without compromising our high standards. That means greater access to expert care, closer to home.
Training physicians in-house also helps us meet the needs of our existing patients. If a physician retires or moves, we have highly trained fellows ready to step in, so you’re never left waiting for care.
“We use the fellowship as a way to invest in our future. It’s not just about today’s patients—it’s about building a healthcare system that delivers better care for years to come.” –Dr. Peter J. Pappas
➤ Experience the CVR Difference
Whether you’re just beginning to notice vein symptoms or you’ve been living with discomfort for years, our team is here to help. Trust your legs to the nation’s leading experts in vein care.
Each year, CVR is proud to welcome a new class of graduates from our fellowship program. These physicians are now seeing patients in CVR clinics across the country—and bringing with them a deep understanding of both the science and the art of vein care.
They come from diverse specialties, cities, and backgrounds. However, they share a common goal: to deliver exceptional care that enables patients to look, feel, and live better.
Whether it’s easing the pain of venous ulcers, treating bulging varicose veins, or improving leg appearance and function, CVR’s fellowship-trained doctors are changing lives every day.
Introducing the remarkable physicians graduating from this year’s intensive training program:
CVR’s prestigious one-year Fellowship Program offers an intensive, hands-on curriculum modeled after ACGME standards, with rotations in ultrasound, procedural training, outpatient care, and vascular diagnostics. Fellows participate in didactic lectures, journal clubs, and national conferences, while gaining advanced credentials such as RPVI and ABVLM certification.
Applicants must be board-certified in a primary specialty (e.g., internal medicine, emergency medicine, OB/GYN, surgery, etc.) and demonstrate a strong commitment to clinical excellence.
Send an email expressing your interest in the Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Fellowship Program at Center for Vein Restoration to Stephanie Westee, Program Coordinator, at stephanie.westee@centerforvein.com. In your email, please indicate the state(s) where you would prefer to complete your training.
Please attach an up-to-date CV that includes your complete contact information and provide two letters of recommendation.
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