Before the end of the year, members will be able to connect in a big -- new -- way: our online community. To emphasize this linking together, we've named this new community SVSConnect.

There, members can start or contribute to discussions on any number of topics: a tough case (respecting confidentiality and HIPAA, of course), complications, a new technique, conferences, etc. Get tips and information and provide the same, even share documents and other useful resources.

Recent advances in statins and other medications have led some researchers to suggest that surgical treatments for carotid stenosis should be limited to symptomatic patients – primarily those who have already had a stroke or TIA. However, a new study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery questions whether medical therapy is a sufficient stroke-reduction strategy. In the study, only 35 percent of stroke patients were receiving both statin and antiplatelet agents prior to their event, suggesting that asymptomatic carotid disease is unrecognized in many individuals, noted lead researcher Dr. W. Darrin Clouse of Massachusetts General Hospital. “And the first manifestation of their disease,” he wrote, “could be the occurrence of a stroke.”

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Due to popular demand, the SVS Foundation has developed a new set of patient education fliers. The first one – on Peripheral Arterial Disease – is now available and was released to coincide with PAD Awareness Month in September.

All members are welcome to download and start using the PAD flier, which has a writable area for your name, clinic name and address.

More fliers are coming soon on:

• What is a vascular surgeon?

• Carotid artery disease

• Abdominal aortic aneurysms

• Varicose veins

• Cholesterol/nutrition

• Smoking

The Society for Vascular Surgery emphasizes not only education and research, but also public awareness.

Now, through the just announced Excellence in Community Service Award, the Society plans to honor a member who has made not only contributions to the profession but to the community as well.

Applications for this new honor are due Feb. 1, 2019. The recipient will be announced and recognized at the 2019 Vascular Annual Meeting in June.

A letter from the SVS Foundation Chair

Because …

That’s the simple – yet multifaceted — theme for our SVS Foundation Annual Report (just released and available at vsweb.org/ SVSF_Annual_Report_ 2018) and for our annual Giving Campaign.

The word resonates. It links the “why” with the “how” and also reflects the busy and productive past few years.

For example, after expanding our mission last year to include disease prevention and patient awareness and education, we have awarded our first Community Awareness and Prevention Grants.

Dues Statements Distributed

Membership dues statements for 2019 were sent to all members at the beginning of October. Members should pay their dues by Dec. 31 to ensure they continue to receive all the benefits of SVS membership. The pluses are numerous and outlined on page 10.

Visit vascular.org/invoices or call the SVS Membership Department, 312-334-2313, to pay dues.

Donate to SVS Foundation While Paying Dues; Read Foundation Annual Report

Membership in the Society for Vascular Surgery is a valuable resource at all stages of your career. You receive:

Community and professional standing

In an effort to alter specific policies in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) CY 2019 Medicare Fee Schedule Proposed Rules, Society for Vascular Surgery leaders have submitted a 20-page comment letter with recommendations to CMS.

CMS released the combined Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) /Quality Payment Program (QPP) proposed rule in July. Comments were due in mid-September; the final rule is expected on or around November 1, 2018.

Society for Vascular Surgery journal publishes quick, new test to assess the odds