Articles & Press Releases
Recent Articles
SVS remains nimble in face of pandemic, pivots to focus on priorities and needs of membership
BY BETH BALES
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) started 2020 with plans intensifying for the Vascular Research Initiatives Conference (VRIC) in May, the Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) in June, the launch of the branding initiative and a host of other SVS priorities.
VESAP5 debuting by Aug. 1
BY BETH BALES
THE FIFTH EDITION of the Vascular Educational Self-Assessment Program (VESAP) will be available before the beginning of August, when VESAP4 expires.
Stress Less: Reduce Health Risks to Maintain Overall, Vascular Health
ROSEMONT, Ill., April 20, 2020 – Americans’ stress levels are through the roof – from healthcare workers on the front lines to essential service workers to seniors at home to parents coping with upside-down work schedules and e-learning. April marks Stress Awareness Month, making it a fitting time to understand the impact of stress on the body and address stress management techniques to help navigate through difficult times and maintain health in the process.
VAM adds Career Fair for 2020
Looking into job opportunities? Just want to see what’s out there in terms of career moves to another part of the country?
What has SVS PAC ever done for you?
BY PETER CONNOLLY, MD, AND MARK MATTOS, MD
Imagine that you are telling your lay friends about what you do for a living. You have to explain the difference between arteries and veins. And then you find that you need to clarify that you do not, in fact, operate on the heart.
Technology drives vascular future
BY BETH BALES
Decades ago, “picture” phones were an idea straight out of science fiction.
As the saying goes, the future is now. FaceTime and Skype are common; similar technology permits doctors to visit patients via telemedicine.
Journal watch: Open-source papers on deck
The Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS) and JVS: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders (JVS-VL) have a number of open-source articles available in the April and May issues. A sampling follows.
Quality: Global Vascular Guidelines now available in pocket guide format
BY BETH BALES
The Global Vascular Guidelines (GVG), extensively researched and written by an international committee of leading vascular experts, are now available as a pocket guide.
Vascular Trainee Program redesigned for VAM 2020
BY BETH BALES
Helping vascular trainees successfully transition from education and training to clinical or academic practice is the central goal for the Vascular Trainee Program at the 2020 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM).
Gender Differences in Vascular Disease Require Personalized Approach in Care
ROSEMONT, Ill., March 9, 2020 – Women’s heart health takes center stage as American Heart Month ends and National Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day are observed. The Society for Vascular Surgery shares the latest news on what women — and the people who love them — should know. Vascular surgeons are specialists who treat conditions of the vascular system, which impact heart health.
Purchase tickets today for 2020 VAM ‘Spectacular’ Gala
Get ready for another “Spectacular” evening at the 2020 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM).
Ticket sales began in February for the second annual Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Foundation “Vascular Spectacular Gala: Northern Lights.”
How SVS-STS tandem developed TBAD reporting standards
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) teamed up to release new reporting standards in order to ensure patients with type B aortic dissections (TBADs) receive appropriate treatment and care.
Your SVS: Storming into 2020 and horizons beyond
With significant progress made on many fronts in 2019, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) is looking forward to the next horizon in 2020.
SVS PAC donations and Congressional committees of most impact
While I may be the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Political Action Committee (PAC) chair, I find I still need a refresher from time to time regarding the members of Congress serving on committees that deal with healthcare issues where the SVS PAC needs to dedicate the most time and resources. So, as the second session of the 116th Congress is now getting into full swing, I wanted to share information on the three major committees that deal with healthcare policies influenced by the legislative process.
VRIC discussion agenda: Immune cell dysfunction and immunotherapy for vascular disease
Drugs and therapies that target immune cells and pathways within the body already exist to fight a number of diseases. Can vascular disease join the list?
VSIG webinar from APDVS coming soon
Much has been made of the impending shortage of physicians in the United States, with worrying predictions that it could be as soon as 2030. The driving force is a rising, aging population and an upsurge in chronic disease such as diabetes and obesity.
Leadership: Developing mission, vision and strategy
BY JAMES ELMORE, MD
Mission, vision and strategy are necessary to develop a cutting-edge vascular surgery program. To maintain such a program, one needs to implement an overall long-term strategic plan, as well as meticulously oversee the administration of day-to-day details.
Recent Articles
SVS births brand new Communications Committee
The SVS Communications Committee, equipped with three subcommittees, is a new addition for 2021.
Furthering diversity goals in SVS appointments
The SVS Appointments Committee has made great efforts to be more transparent, diverse and equitable in recent years—a process its chair and members plan to continue.
Advocating for ‘fair and equitable coverage’ of vascular services
Among the many projects of the SVS Coding and Reimbursement Committee, advocating appropriate coverage for vascular services continues to be a major focus. In 2021, the committee, led by chair Sunita Srivastava, MD, will continue to increase its coverage initiatives, working with government and private payers.
Continuing the cause of the SVS Branding Toolkit
A new SVS Branding Toolkit is the culmination of hard work over the past two years by the Public and Professional Outreach (PPO) Committee, according to campaign spearhead and committee chair Joseph L. Mills, MD. And there’s more to come for 2021.
Pushing forward VA facilities for the betterment of vascular surgery
The SVS VA Vascular Surgeons Committee is looking ahead this year to reclaim procedural volume at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities—ravaged by COVID-19—and to facilitate construction of hybrid suites.
Inaugural leadership program overcomes pandemic difficulties
The inaugural cohort of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Leadership Development Program had to show some resilience early.
CMS confirms Physician Fee Schedule cuts; SVS members asked to contact lawmakers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) has delivered a blow to vascular surgery in the form of a 7% cut in total payment for the services it provides. The cuts are included in the agency’s final rule for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and were slated to take effect Jan.1, 2021.
Dalman to trainees: ‘Vascular surgery is a tremendously rewarding career’
For aspiring vascular trainees, interview season is a time of great stress as well as opportunity. Graduating medical students and residents prepare the pitches of a lifetime.
Appropriateness Committee seeks to push ahead with new guidelines
It was a central plank of the presidential agenda set out by immediate past president Kim Hodgson, MD. And now the SVS Appropriateness Committee has targeted further development of the Society’s first set of Appropriate Use Criteria guidelines.
New committee to deliver diversity position statement
The newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee plans to implement the recommendations from the DEI Task Force.
New Year will bring new SVS online education portal
As part of the Education Council (see related story, below), the Education Committee is breaking new ground in 2021.
Overseeing governance and expanding SVS footprint
The Policy and Advocacy Council is composed of the leaders of the Coding and Reimbursement, Government Relations, PAC, Quality and Performance Measures, and VA Vascular Surgeons committees.
Gaining stronger representation for community practice surgeons
Since its inception, the Community Practice Committee has been a valuable resource for surgeons working in settings that serve local communities.
Forging ahead with a new identity and planning for VRIC 2021
The Basic and Translational Research Committee (BTRC) is the new name of the former Research and Education Committee.
Recent Articles
SVS births brand new Communications Committee
The SVS Communications Committee, equipped with three subcommittees, is a new addition for 2021.
Furthering diversity goals in SVS appointments
The SVS Appointments Committee has made great efforts to be more transparent, diverse and equitable in recent years—a process its chair and members plan to continue.
Advocating for ‘fair and equitable coverage’ of vascular services
Among the many projects of the SVS Coding and Reimbursement Committee, advocating appropriate coverage for vascular services continues to be a major focus. In 2021, the committee, led by chair Sunita Srivastava, MD, will continue to increase its coverage initiatives, working with government and private payers.
Continuing the cause of the SVS Branding Toolkit
A new SVS Branding Toolkit is the culmination of hard work over the past two years by the Public and Professional Outreach (PPO) Committee, according to campaign spearhead and committee chair Joseph L. Mills, MD. And there’s more to come for 2021.
Pushing forward VA facilities for the betterment of vascular surgery
The SVS VA Vascular Surgeons Committee is looking ahead this year to reclaim procedural volume at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities—ravaged by COVID-19—and to facilitate construction of hybrid suites.
Inaugural leadership program overcomes pandemic difficulties
The inaugural cohort of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Leadership Development Program had to show some resilience early.
CMS confirms Physician Fee Schedule cuts; SVS members asked to contact lawmakers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) has delivered a blow to vascular surgery in the form of a 7% cut in total payment for the services it provides. The cuts are included in the agency’s final rule for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and were slated to take effect Jan.1, 2021.
Dalman to trainees: ‘Vascular surgery is a tremendously rewarding career’
For aspiring vascular trainees, interview season is a time of great stress as well as opportunity. Graduating medical students and residents prepare the pitches of a lifetime.
Appropriateness Committee seeks to push ahead with new guidelines
It was a central plank of the presidential agenda set out by immediate past president Kim Hodgson, MD. And now the SVS Appropriateness Committee has targeted further development of the Society’s first set of Appropriate Use Criteria guidelines.
New committee to deliver diversity position statement
The newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee plans to implement the recommendations from the DEI Task Force.
New Year will bring new SVS online education portal
As part of the Education Council (see related story, below), the Education Committee is breaking new ground in 2021.
Overseeing governance and expanding SVS footprint
The Policy and Advocacy Council is composed of the leaders of the Coding and Reimbursement, Government Relations, PAC, Quality and Performance Measures, and VA Vascular Surgeons committees.
Gaining stronger representation for community practice surgeons
Since its inception, the Community Practice Committee has been a valuable resource for surgeons working in settings that serve local communities.
Forging ahead with a new identity and planning for VRIC 2021
The Basic and Translational Research Committee (BTRC) is the new name of the former Research and Education Committee.