Change Doesn’t Come Easy! But It Is Needed

In selecting the subject of his presidential address, SVS President Michel Makaroun, MD, decided to focus on the inadequacy of vascular manpower to meet the demands and needs of the public.  

He quoted a favorite saying from Mark Twain that gave him the topic of his address, “I am in favor of progress; it’s change I don’t like.” He then proceeded to outline why changes are necessary and what the Society for Vascular Surgery is doing to help implement them.

LEADERSHIP: Spotlight on Michael Conte, MD

BY BRYAN W. TILLMAN, MD, PHD ON BEHALF OF THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Michael S. Conte, Professor and Chief of the Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. We focused on the themes of the chapter: “Challenge Is the Crucible for Greatness,” from “The Truth About Leadership,” by Kouzes and Posner.

SVS Foundation-Sponsored Screening Uncovers 2 Aneurysms: Will Help Screen Vets in July

Arecent free AAA and PAD screening was well worth the time for two patients diagnosed with aneurysms.

The SVS Foundation was a sponsor of the early June screening in Washington, D.C., partnered by AAAneurysm Outreach and George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates. Other sponsors were the Society for Vascular Nursing and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound. W.L. Gore & Associates provided funding and American Heart Association volunteers provided blood pressure checks.

Compassion’s other name: Dr. William Pearce

It may have come as no surprise to his colleagues, mentees and patients at Northwestern University that Dr. William Pearce, Charles and Violet Baldwin Professor of Surgery Emeritus, was named the 2019 Lifetime Achievement awardee by the Society for Vascular Surgery at its annual meeting in June.

At Northwestern he has been an accomplished leader of one of the strongest vascular surgical departments in the nation. He mentored countless professionals, not just fellows, residents and students, but also nurses and faculty.

Innovation Medal: Honoring ‘Pioneer of Venous Surgery’

Groundbreaking. Innovative. Pioneer. “Father of Modern Venous Surgery.” A man who “truly changed the world with respect to treatment of venous disease.” All of the above – and more – describe Dr. Robert Kistner, recipient of the SVS Medal for Innovation in Vascular Surgery, presented at the 2019 Vascular Annual Meeting. He was the first awardee in six years.

EDUCATION: Learn To Get the Reimbursement You’re Due at SVS Coding Course to Be Held Sept. 20-21

Don’t leave reimbursement money on the table. Learn what you need to know about proper coding at the SVS 2019 Coding and Reimbursement Workshop.

Registration today for the workshop, Sept. 20 to 21, plus the optional half-day Evaluation and Management Coding course. The workshop will be held at the Hyatt Rosemont, just minutes from O’Hare International Airport and near the new SVS headquarters office (944 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont, Ill.).

VRIC 2019 a Big Success; Scientists Look Forward to 2020 in Chicago

With a record number of attendees, abstracts submitted, and abstracts presented, not to mention outstanding research presentations and high enthusiasm throughout, the 2019 SVS Vascular Research Initiatives Conference (VRIC) has been dubbed a big success.

VRIC, with the theme “Hard Science: Calcification and Vascular Solutions,” was held May 13 in Boston.

Michel Makaroun Assumes SVS Foundation Chair

CHICAGO, Ill., July 10, 2019 – After serving the previous year as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery, Dr. Michel S. Makaroun has moved into his new role as chair of the SVS Foundation.

As chair of the charitable arm of the SVS, Dr. Makaroun will oversee the foundation’s competitive, peer-reviewed, grant-making initiatives, which are made possible by contributions from members, medical societies and corporations.