Looking Ahead to ‘Going Once, Going Twice ...’

Apr 15, 2019 Re-posted from the April 2019 issue of Vascular Specialist

Auction items continue to come in for the SVS Foundation’s Vascular Spectacular gala, one of the highlights of the Vascular Annual Meeting in June. Proceeds will benefit the SVS Foundation.

Winning bidders could spend two nights at the storied Greenbrier, a National Historic Landmark and a top resort in West Virginia. Those who enjoy skiing or mountain climbing, or perhaps world-class fishing and hiking might find the one-week stay at a condo near downtown Breckenridge, Colo., tickles their fancy.

Also available are a fashionable alligator clutch bag, a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses and the chance to take a trip back to the days of early America with admission tickets to Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts.

These and more will be available at either the live (on-site only) or silent auctions. Gala co-chairs Drs. Cynthia Shortell and Ben Starnes expect spirited bidding at both.

The Vascular Spectacular begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the riverfront ballroom at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. With VAM still two months away, plenty of time remains to contribute auction offerings, said Drs. Starnes and Shortell, urging members to consider what they can donate. Suggestions include tickets, vacation destinations, restaurant gift certificates, gift cards, products. “Everything, big or small, is welcome, and the sky is the limit,” said Dr. Starnes.

Not only are all SVS members and their friends and colleagues encouraged to donate to the auction, they also can make bids, from the Gaylord or from the screened-in porch at home, in the case of the silent auction. Electronic bidding of all silent auction items will begin in late May, closing during the Spectacular itself. Bidders can set up alerts for their items of interest and even see precisely just who is after the same item or items.

The gala also will include cocktails, dinner and entertainment. Tickets are limited (nearly 400 already have been sold) and are $250 each, of which $150 is a tax-deductible donation to the SVS Foundation.

To donate or purchase tickets, visit VAM19gala.givesmart.com. To learn more about the gala itself, visit vsweb.org/Gala19.

Tags
Vascular Specialist

Related Articles

Why donate to the SVS PAC?

A few years ago, in his presidential address to the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society, Mark Mattos, MD, spoke eloquently about the need to “protect our specialty.” A large part of this, he argued, is protecting our patients; no other specialty in medicine can provide the type of comprehensive vascular care that we offer. The daily reality we all face is the potential for declining Medicare reimbursement for our services.

Progress made during year like no other

While the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects dominated 2020–21 fiscal year—including the cancellation of the live 2020 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM)—it did not deter progress on many important initiatives. “When covid hit, it intensified our focus on what was truly important: our members, their patients and the SVS as their Society,” said Executive Director Kenneth M. Slaw, PhD. “That focus was sustained the past 15 months and it has led to innovation and an unprecedented volume of member value programs.” He outlined important highlights from the fiscal year that ended March 31—just more than a year after the pandemic was declared—and the vital initiatives that continue to move forward.

New SVS vice president, revised bylaws set to be unveiled at June 16 Annual Business Meeting

Members, be sure to register for the June 16 Virtual Annual Business Meeting, the first of two business meetings for 2021. Registration is required to assure A quorum. Register at vascular.org/ABM1Register. The second meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 21, during the Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM). The Wednesday, June 16, meeting will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Members will hear reports from President Ronald L. Dalman, MD, Secretary Amy Reed, MD, and Treasurer Keith Calligaro, MD. Nominating Committee Chair R. Clement Darling III, MD, will present his report, announce the results of the election for SVS vice president and on bylaws revisions, and introduce the 2021–22 Officers.