The setting for the 2019 Vascular Annual Meeting provides plenty of opportunities for fun before and after the meeting for attendees, and during VAM, for family members.

VAM takes place in National Harbor, Md., near Alexandria, Va., and Washington, D.C.

National Harbor itself, comprised of 350 acres along the Potomac River, includes spectacular views, 160-plus shops and restaurants, a marina, the Capital Wheel Ferris wheel, which soars 180 feet above the ground, and an Americana-themed 36-foot carousel.

The Vascular Annual Meeting flourishes with the collaboration and participation of many other organizations.

Six societies and associations are collaborating with SVS this year, adding their members’ voices, experiences and expertise. “We collaborate to improve the care of the vascular patient,” said Vikram Kashyap, MD. He chairs the SVS Postgraduate Education Committee, which oversees VAM programming for the breakfast, concurrent and Ask the Expert sessions, as well as workshops and postgraduate courses.

Make travel plans now to attend Vascular Research Initiatives Conference (VRIC) – the Society for Vascular Surgery’s essential meeting for translational vascular science and interdisciplinary research. This year VRIC will be held on Monday, May 13, in Boston.

[[{"fid":"2382","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"height":671,"width":1200,"style":"height: 280px; width: 500px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]

The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a proposed rule (comment deadline March 25) to amend its medical regulations to implement its authority for covered veterans to receive necessary hospital care, medical services, and extended care services from non-VA entities or providers in the Community. 

SVS submitted a comment letter outlining priorities for VA to consider as they finalize this rule. 

New research highlights the importance of positioning thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) devices within healthy aorta proximally to avoid serious complications.

IMPACT OF PROVIDER CHARACTERISTICS ON USE OF ENDOVENOUS ABLATION PROCEDURES IN MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES. March 2019, Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders.

ROSEMONT, Illinois, March 18, 2019 – A new report suggests that providers who are not traditionally associated with the treatment of venous disease are driving the rapid increase in endovenous therapies.

The SVSConnect mobile app — for cell phones and tablets — brings easy access to collaboration, engagement and communication with your SVS member colleagues and thought leaders.

In response to member requests, the Vascular Quality Initiative now includes 30-day follow-up forms in most of its 12 registries.

The addition of the form — there already is a mandatory Long-term Follow-up Form — permits VQI participants to collect 30-day re-admission data. Surgeons and hospital administrators find this information important as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has focused on readmissions as part of the reimbursement process.

Barry Posner and James M. Kouzes’ “The Truth About Leadership” describes 10 critical “truths.” In this latest column highlighting the evidence-based behaviors and attributes that define great leadership, we focus on “you either lead by example or you don’t lead at all.”