Bruce Perler, MD, MBA, from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, dreamed of becoming a surgeon since he was eight years old. He describes himself as a "blue-collar guy" who came from a typical blue-collar household, and who worked his way through school by driving a taxi and holding many other jobs during summer vacations while in college and medical school. His life's journey propelled him to new heights in vascular surgery decades later from that initial dream and work ethic.
“Vascular surgery is unique as the only specialty that provides the totality of care: noninvasive diagnosis, endovascular, open surgical and medical therapy, and long-term follow-up. I can't think of a more meaningful way to spend one's professional life than to be a vascular surgeon, entrusted by patients to optimize the vascular health of this patient population with such serious health care problems,” said Dr. Perler.
Dr. Perler completed his internship and residency in general surgery, followed by a clinical and research fellowship in vascular surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He has edited several textbooks, including Vascular Intervention: A Clinical Approach, Advances in Vascular Surgery, and Rutherford's Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy, for which he has served as the co-editor of the 9h,10th, and 11th editions of this premier textbook in our specialty. Additionally, Dr. Perler has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and 65 textbook chapters on the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of circulatory diseases.
Although he was the first person in his family to attend college, Dr. Perler is indebted to his parents who instilled in him the values of hard work, honesty, and loyalty, values that he has incorporated into his career. As a naturally introverted and quiet person, today, he is grateful to his many friends and colleagues, including many vascular leaders who serve as ambassadors for the specialty, for their friendship and mentorship of his career.
The advice he provides to his trainees is to treat every patient as a VIP (very important person). Throughout his 40-year practice, he has consistently treated patients with this mindset. He believes in fostering a relationship with his patients and treating them "not just as individuals with a vascular issue, but as real people whom I get to know."
SVS and the SVS Foundation join together this June to celebrate the vascular legacies within the Society. Voices of Vascular is an ongoing storytelling initiative that celebrates the diverse journeys, contributions and impact of the vascular community.
During the 2025 Vascular Annual Meeting (June 4-7), the Society honored Dr. Perler with the Lifetime Achievement Award, its highest recognition. Through a multitude of accomplishments, Dr. Perler still holds an air of humility when reflecting on his life’s work.
“I hope people would think of me as someone who worked hard and folks could learn that if you have a dream and you have a passion do something you love-you can be successful,” said Perler.
Throughout his time with the SVS, he has held various leadership roles, including serving as President in 2016, and Chair of The Foundation in 2017. He is dedicated to helping younger individuals advance in their careers and ensure they have access to leadership opportunities. As he has gained more influence, he has consistently aimed to support his colleagues and set a standard for success, emphasizing the importance of conducting oneself ethically in both a professional and personal capacity as both a physician and a surgeon.
Dr. Perler has witnessed the evolution of vascular surgery over the last 20 years, from open surgery to endovascular therapy and now to the potential use of stem cells and AI, all of which have stemmed from research and investigations leading to discoveries. Funding research is essential to him in continuing the care of vascular patients, and he credits the SVS Foundation for its support in funding research that has led to projects making a difference in the field.
“If we want to continue to advance the field so that we can continue to advance the care of our patients, we need to continue to do research and continue to innovate and give back," said Dr. Perler. "There's no better way to get back to the vascular innovative process than through the SVS Foundation.”
When you donate to the SVS Foundation, you support Voices of Vascular's important work in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Learn more and make your gift today.