[[{"fid":"1614","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Boston Commons","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Statue of George Washington in Boston Commons","external_url":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Boston Commons","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Statue of George Washington in Boston Commons","external_url":""}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Boston Commons","title":"Statue of George Washington in Boston Commons","height":370,"width":600,"style":"float: right; height: 308px; width: 500px; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]](Photo at right: George Washington stands guard in the Boston Public Garden, a large park located in the heart of Boston. Credit: DenisTangney, Jr. / iStock / Getty Images Plus)With all due respect to singer/songwriter Dave Loggins, please come to Boston not "for the springtime" but for the Vascular Annual Meeting.
The premiere educational event of the year for vascular surgeons and other members of the vascular team will be held in the historic city from June 20 to 23. Plenaries are set for June 21 to 23, and the Exhibit Hall will be open June 21 to 22.
Registration and housing are expected to open in early March for this year’s VAM, "Home of the Vascular Team – Partners in Patient Care."
Though the schedule is still being finalized, some details have been set. Six breakfast sessions will be held Friday and Saturday, with industry-sponsored breakfasts planned for Thursday. Six postgraduate courses will be held Wednesday, VAM’s opening day.
Plenary and scientific sessions will continue to be the centerpiece of the program on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Breakfast Session topics include: whether an office endovascular center makes business sense, advances and controversies in managing Type B Aortic dissection, case studies of challenging hemodialysis cases, taking a multi-disciplinary team approach to amputation, promoting physician well-being and new anti-coagulants as they relate to vascular surgery. Postgraduate course topics include optimal modern open and endovascular management of aortoilliac occlusive disease, advanced management of complications in hemodialysis access, innovations in managing the diabetic food and diabetic PAD, treating acute pulmonary embolisms and developing a PERT team, a discussion of members’ most challenging cases and succeeding in a challenging, evolving fiscal landscape.
"Every year we say there’s ‘something for everyone,’" said Program Committee Chair Dr. Matt Eagleton. "And every year we seem to outdo ourselves in offering a comprehensive, yet varied program with a wide range of topics.
"Not only will the 2018 meeting offer something for everyone, but we are making every effort to offer something everyone can use immediately upon their return home."
VAM isn’t all education, of course. Plenty of receptions – including the Opening Reception Thursday evening – offer participants the chance to network and connect and meet up with old friends and colleagues.
Boston itself also offers attractions and recreation as well, with fun by land as well as by sea. Take in tours and trails, visit museums or take a walk through one of the city’s different neighborhoods.
Arrive early, stay late. But please come to Boston in June.