2024 Meet the VP Candidates

Meet the candidates for the 2024-25 election for SVS Vice President. Each candidate has shown long-standing dedication to the vascular surgery community and has provided a great deal of time to work with the SVS. Once elected, the Vice President will serve one year in that role, followed by a year as the SVS President-Elect, and then will become the SVS President. This role is vitally important to the inner workings of the SVS as well as to the vascular surgery community at large. 

If you missed the 'Meet the Candidates' Town Hall on May 1, you can view it here.

Bios

Service & Leadership Roles

Q&A #1

Q&A #2

Q&A #3

Q&A #4

Videos  

Bios

Linda Harris

Linda Harris is a tenured Professor of Surgery at Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo. Harris has established an international reputation in education. She is a Distinguished Fellow of SVS, and Chair of the Education Council. She has served as President of APDVS and EVS, and is the inaugural President of the International Society for Women Vascular Surgeons. Harris has an established reputation as an excellent technical surgeon and accomplished researcher. She currently has NIH grants and industry-funded studies. She is the PD for vascular surgery fellowship/residency. She served as Division Chief from 2001-2018. Harris is the co-editor for Rutherford's Textbook and has been selected to lead the 12th edition team.

Palma Shaw

Palma Shaw is a Professor of Surgery at State University of New York and a member of the Division of Vascular Surgery at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. She is Program Director of the Vascular Fellowship and leads the Limb Preservation Program. She has a Master of Business Administration. She is board-certified in General and Vascular Surgery. She was a Visiting Research Fellow with Dr. Frank Veith at Montefiore Medical Center. She is a Fellow of American College of Surgeons, Distinguished Fellow of Society for Vascular Surgery, and Secretary General of World Federation of Vascular Societies. She is President of the International Society for Endovascular Specialists, Member-at-large for Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, Treasurer for Eastern Vascular Society, former Advisory Liaison to Society for Vascular Surgery Executive Board and is Co-Founder of the SVS Women's Section. She is Vice President of the newly formed International Society of Women Vascular Surgeons. Her clinical expertise includes aortic surgery, peripheral and venous intervention, diabetic foot management and wound care.

Service and Leadership

Linda Harris

  • SVS
    • 2005-2008 Communication Committee
    • 2008-2011 Resident & Student Outreach Committee
    • 2010-2012 Resident Section (faculty rep)
    • 2010-2013 Program Committee
    • 2013- current Education Council
    • 2014-2016 Board of Directors
    • 2014-2015 EB Executive Committee
    • 2016 Nominating committee
    • 2018-2019 Clinical Practice Council 
    • 2018-2021 Publications Committee
    • 2019-current Strategic Board
    • 2020-current Education Council Vice Chair/Chair
    • 2021-2023 EB
    • 2021- present Board Vascular Center Verification & Quality Improvement Program
    • 2022-current Awards & Distinction Committee
    • 2023 Nominating committee
  • ACS:
    • 2002-2008 Board of Governors BOG Committee to Study Fiscal Affairs of the College
    • 2008-2014 Vascular Advisory Council/ Surgery RRC
    • 2023 Academy of Master Surgeon Educators
  • APDVS:
    • 2008-2012 Secretary/treasurer
    • 2012-2014 President-Elect
    • 2014-2016 President
  • ISWVS:
    • 2023-current President
  • EVS:
    • 2003-2007 Chair Young Vascular Surgeons Committee
    • 2011-2015 Bylaws Committee, chair
    • 2012-2015 Treasurer
    • 2015-2016 President-Elect
  • 2016-7 President WNY Vascular Society: 2009-2022 President
  • WNY ACS:
    • 1997-1998 Treasurer
    • 1998-1999 secretary
    • 1999-2000 President-Elect
    • 2000-2001 President
  • University: 2001-18 Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery
  • 1997-2016 USA Executive Council
  • 1999- current PD Vascular surgery Fellowship/Re

Palma Shaw

Regional

  • 2019- 2020: Vice-President of the New England Society for Vascular Surgery, September 2020-2021
  • 2021-2022: Councilor at Large for Eastern Vascular Society 
  • 2022-present: Executive Council Treasurer of the Eastern Vascular Society

National

  • 2021-2024: Member-at-Large for Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery
  • 2021-2024: Executive Council Eastern Vascular Society Representative to the Society for Vascular Surgery Strategic Board
  • 2022- 2023: Society for Vascular Surgery Advisory Liaison to the Executive Board 

International

  • 2019-2021 Secretary for International Society of Endovascular Specialists
  • 2021-2023 President-Elect, International Society of Endovascular Specialists
  • 2023 -2025 President
  • 2021-present Secretary General of the World Federation of Vascular Societies (2021-202
  • 2021-2023 President-Elect, International Society of Endovascular Specialists
  • 2023 -2025 President, International Society of Endovascular Specialists7)

SVS Involvement

  • 2013-2015 SVS Diversity and Inclusion Committee
  • 2015-present SVS International Relations Committee -
    • Co-Chair 2018-2020 -
    • Chairperson 2020-2023
  • 2020-2023: SVS VAM Program Committee
  • 2021-present: SVS Document Oversight Committee
  • 2022-present: Women's Section Member - Co-Founder 
    • Co-Chairwoman (January- June 2022)
  • 2022- 2023: SVS Education Council
  • 2023-2026 SVS Industry Relations Advisory Committee - Chairperson
  • 2023-2026: SVS Foundation Board of Directors

Q&A - Question 1 

Please provide a brief summary of your Strategic Vision of the Future for Vascular Surgery and the key role SVS must play to realize that Vision. This may include addressing concepts such as:

  • Current SVS strategic plan and priorities
  • Changing demographics of the SVS membership and vascular surgery workforce, embracing
  • the values of DEI
  • Collaboration with other specialties in the vascular space
  • Relationship between vascular surgeons, SVS, and industry
  • Current reimbursement threats to vascular surgery
  • SVS’s role in defining quality and appropriateness

Linda Harris Answer 1

The SVS needs to focus on: Advocacy; Branding; Diversity and unifying our divergent groups; Appropriate quality care; and Cutting edge education We continue to have declining reimbursement despite significant wins from SVS lobbying. These efforts have not been widely recognized by our members', creating feelings that SVS does not represent all our needs. We need to continue advocating on Capitol Hill and to better engage our members, ideally by better educating them. Surgeons do not participate in these efforts due to time constraints and it is "outside of their wheelhouse". We need to increase branding to combat continued lack of recognition at institutions, by patients, c-suites and referring physicians. This also has the potential to increase our revenue and institutional power which may help with decreasing burnout and attrition. The SVS has been struggling from the view that it is not representing ALL of our members. We need to continue current DEl efforts- highlighting what we have accomplished (major inroads in committee and council composition). This has not yet reached our EB. Having at-large members is good as a stop-gap measure, but the time is now to have diverse officers. Diversity includes ensuring that we always have community practice, women, and URM on the board. This needs to be incorporated into nomination process. The SVS needs to continue to aggressively participate in defining quality and appropriateness of care, while making sure that this does not become a "town/gown" debate. The VCVQI will help. We must intentionally incorporate community practice and academic surgeons in groups defining appropriateness. We need to continue publicly endorsing quality which saves limbs and lives to combat the media misinformation. Above all, we need to work aggressively and collaboratively with ALL of our members. If we cannot serve as the voice of our members, we are failing in one of our most important roles. Lastly, we need to remain on the cutting edge of education. 

Palma Shaw - Answer 1 

A major role of the SVS is service to its members. Based upon the most recent survey, 5 strategic priorities are established including Advocacy, Education, Clinical Practice, Quality and Research. These are designed to support the crucial facets of excellent vascular care. As our noble purpose is to provide patient care based upon high quality research and lifelong learning, the SVS aims to ensure that this is available for the busy vascular surgeon conducting his/her practice. Our efforts deserve fair equitable compensation, and a top priority is commitment to advocacy. The SVS will continue to work utilizing consultants in Washington DC to navigate challenging legal terrain with a focus on efforts that avoid cuts to reimbursement, physician shortages, and permit deferred loan repayment. Continued membership growth, with a focus on diversity, early career engagement and an effort to identify value and create programs that meet these needs of young surgeons, women and underrepresented minorities is a priority. They should have a voice through committees and officer roles. There is a need for SVS to establish a structure that can serve as a home for Vascular Nursing, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to create unity and a template for a Team Approach to vascular care. The SVS Branding Campaign will strengthen our identity and the perception of our specialty as the most appropriate comprehensive leaders in vascular care. Careful interaction and negotiation with competing specialties can make these productive relationships for the SVS. At times a mutual agreement is reached and there are other instances where we need to stand firm and avoid compromise of our commitment to quality, appropriate use guidelines and our identity as vascular surgeons. Further adoption of the ACS verification program, development of an Appropriateness of Care SVS Position Statement, and translation of Clinical Practice Guidelines into practice webinars are all ongoing efforts to support quality of care. Our industry partners support a number of our educational efforts inc including the VAM which is the highlight of our year as a Society. Industry helps introduce us to new technology which can help provide better outcomes for our patients.

Q&A - Question 2

Given the growing diversity of the SVS membership, how will you ensure all constituents of the SVS are represented and have a voice in the Society?

Linda Harris Answer 2

First, as a diverse member, selecting myself or someone who is similarly diverse, will demonstrate that the organization is truly serious about change. Change must come from the top. As a woman who started when there were only 5 women in academic vascular surgery, I personally experienced many barriers that are faced by diverse groups. Along those lines, I co-founded the Womens' Vascular Health Summit, pre-pandemic and pre-of which l am the inaugural president. This society is orking coller asly wisure sve as well as other national, international, regional, and multiple diverse organizations.

Allowing people a true voice is the most important method of ensuring representation. We need to reach out to all of the diverse groups and actively invite their participation. Bringing people to the table, having open discussions about controversial or uncomfortable topics, and identifying barriers, and possible solutions will have a major impact on ensuring representation. These discussions must be held in a diplomatic manner, allowing for the expression of all views, but without accusations and personal attacks. One of the current concerns of many of our members is feeling left out, or not understanding the decision-making process. Therefore, the conclusions from these meetings need to be adequately publicized, so that our constituents understand the reasoning behind the decisions. I do believe that we should continue to have at-large members on the EB. However, if we relegate diverse groups to ONLY at-large and not officer roles, we will lose our younger members, as this gives the impression that we are not valued equally. This includes ensuring that we always have representation from private practice, women, URM and other under-represented groups.

Clearly, we need people who have adequate experience and expertise. However, we have many well qualified individuals who are diverse. Now is the time for change.

Palma Shaw - Answer 2

To address disparities inherent to our specialty and the Society, the SVS has already made many changes to committee composition and leadership representation with appointments of SVS Advisory Liaisons to the Executive Board demonstrating transparency in its actions to the membership. The current SVS leadership has been forward-thinking and should continue to expand minority representation in decision-making and leadership roles. As a female surgeon who trained in an environment where there were few like role models and a single mother of 2 who had to raise her children while working many long hours as a vascular surgeon, I am acutely aware of the need for understanding differences in people's genders, cultures, and circumstances. We must embrace differences and try to understand how to help support those who come from less privilege. Role modeling is important. We need to see people like us with whom we can identify in high-level positions. There is an urgency to this which relates to the younger generation of surgeons who are demanding a change.

We all need to work together as colleagues, be respectful of differences and help each other be the best surgeons that we can be for our patients. Patients respond better to a surgeon who looks like them and can understand their background and culture. Through increased clarity of these different perspectives, we can better address the work force shortages, and challenges in valuation and reimbursement. Hearing other's thoughts and opinions is necessary even when it challenges the status quo. As a small specialty, we face threats from other interventional specialties who erode our practices and promote themselves as the go-to Vascular Specialist. This ability to be more open minded will facilitate a more collaborative approach so we can better reach a common goal which is better delivery of care across vascular deserts. We will not have enough vascular surgeons to meet the growing demands for vascular care. Working with diverse groups such as Cardiology, Interventional Radiology, Nurse Practitioners, Vascular Nurses and Physician Assistants to form an effective Vascular Team can only happen with an enlightened more accepting mindset.

Q&A - Question 3

Please highlight key leadership positions you hold or have held, and/or significant
leadership achievements you have accomplished in vascular surgery or organized medicine.
This may include examples such as:

  • History of leadership training (SVS or other)
  • History of SVS Leadership Mentoring
  • Leadership positions in home institution (division chair, program director, etc.)
  • Leadership positions in regional vascular societies (highest)
  • Leadership positions in national vascular societies (SVS, SCVS, VESS) (highest)
  • Leadership positions in vascular training and education (APDVS, RRC) (highest)
  • Leadership positions in vascular certification (VSB, ABS) (highest)
  • Leadership positions in vascular journals (highest)
  • Leadership positions in SVS VQI or VRIC (highest)

How have these helped you prepare for the position of Vice President?

Linda Harris - Answer 3

I participated in leadership training in College/Medical school and through ACS Young Surgeons. I have been Division Chief for 18 years, and PD for 24, and EB member of our surgical corporation. I have been a mentor at SVS, EVS and APDVS. I helped organize the resident/student outreach for APDVS and SVS. I have served 3 terms on the SVSEB, most recently 2021-3, in addition to the strategic board. I Chair the Education Council and have served on numerous committees/task forces. I represent SVS at IACCT, where I have served as President. Locally I rose to the presidency of WNYVS and WNYACS, then Governor for ACS. At ACS I served on the Governors fiscal affairs committee. Regionally, I was EVS President, where I created multiple committees enabling greater member participation. I served as President of APDVS, and on the surgery RRC, and the inaugural vascular milestone committee. Additionally, I participated in the first summit between ABSVSB, APDVS and RRC, helping unite the groups. As APDVS president, I created several committees, which are now standing committees. I have been an ABS examiner for over 20 years, and serve on the MOC writing committee. I am a member of the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. I have been on the Editorial Board for JVS, JVSVL, and JVSCIT, Vascular Specialist and ACS news. I am an editor for Rutherford and have co-edited 2 additional vascular textbooks. My leadership experience has enabled me to unite diverse people, actively engage participants, and empower members. Leadership style plays a significant role in how societies function. Members need to feel valued, heard, and appreciated. They need to be able to reach out to those in charge. I am very familiar with the EB and have committed the time to this while co-editing several books. I am used to multitasking. I believe that I am viewed favorably by many different constituencies as I try to recognize excellence in others rather than to take credit for their work which I have empowered.

Palma Shaw - Answer 3

Key leadership roles that have prepared me to become Vice President of the SVS include serving as the Society for Vascular Surgery Advisory Liaison to the Executive Board (2022- 2023) and the Eastern Vascular Society Representative to the SVS Strategic Board (2021-2024). Time invested in these important positions gave me the best insight into the operations of the SVS and how all of its component parts align to allow for the SVS to remain successful and current. My other roles in the SVS, such as the development of the Women's Section, participation on the Program Committee for VAM, Chairing the International Relations Committee and serving on the Document Oversight Committee have allowed me to make substantial contributions to the Society. Other roles that I have held that support my ability to serve in this capacity include my role as President of the International Society of Endovascular Specialists, Secretary General of the World Federation of Vascular Societies, Vice President of the International Society of Women Vascular Surgeons and Treasurer of the Eastern Vascular Society. Additional training that has enabled me to be successful is having completed an Executive Master of Business Administration at the Heller School of Brandeis University. This was a transformative experience for me. Although I have always been able to multitask and organize effectively, this has helped me channel my skills into leadership roles in different societies. This knowledge has enabled me to not only be successful in my SVS commitments, but it helped me contribute substantially to other leadership roles. I led the transformation of the World Federation of Vascular Societies helping build its infrastructure, website, business plan and re-engagement of its 8 societal members across the world I remain devoted to strengthening and furthering the mission of the SVS. My experience across societies at the regional, national, and international levels, my strong track record of success in my positions, ability to collaborate effectively, commitment to excellence in patient care and positive outlook for the future of vascular surgery enable me to be well suited to serve on the SVS Executive Board as Vice President.

Q&A - Question 4

Please highlight activities or initiatives that best exemplify your commitment to Clinical and Academic Excellence in vascular surgery. This may include examples such as:

  • Reputation for clinical/academic excellence
  • Publication of clinical or basic science results
  • Presentation of clinical or basic science results
  • Participation in clinical investigational trials
  • Leadership of national clinical trials
  • Leadership of collaborative NIH research

Linda Harris - Answer 4

I am an academic surgeon, clinician and educator. I have published > 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 25 book chapters, co-edited 3 vascular textbooks, and served on multiple editorial boards. I am recognized for my clinical acumen and have been an invited speaker at national and international meetings, including SCVS, VeithSyposium, EVS, as well as many smaller meetings, and institutional grand rounds. My reputation in the arena of surgical education and mentorship is where my greatest strength lies. I have mentored numerous medical students, residents, fellows, junior and midlevel faculty. As an educator, I led the APDVS and I continue to participate actively in the APDVS on the research committee. As one of the members of the inaugural milestone committee for vascular surgery, I helped to create the method by which we currently assess our trainees within our institutions. I continue to be involved in research on education, including recent presentations on the evaluation of faculty as well as assessing our interview processes. I am also recognized as a leader in the area of gender-based differences in vascular disease- having organized a forum for discussion, presentation and furthering the mission of understanding the differences to achieve a change. I have been invited to regional and international meetings to discuss these issues. Through the years, I have also been involved in over 60 funded research studies, including NIH, physician-initiated projects, and industry-sponsored studies. I have also mentored a multitude of trainees, from medical students and general surgical residents through vascular fellows, in successful research productivity. My current NIH grants are a collaborative process with the Department of Engineering. My research has recently been recognized at my local university by being awarded the Sustained Achievement Award in the Exceptional Scholar Program. This is awarded to honor the outstanding achievement of senior scholars focused on a particular body of work over a number of years that goes beyond the norm in the particular field of study.

Palma Shaw - Answer 4

I am a Professor of Surgery at SUNY Upstate Medical University and a Distinguished Fellow of the SVS. My reputation for clinical/academic excellence is reflected by regional (#24), national (#69) and international (#71) invited presentations. I have authored or co-authored 48 peer-reviewed publications and 12 book chapters. I serve as an editor for the Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases & Innovative Techniques and a reviewer for JVS, JVS CIT, and JVS Venous & Lymphatic Disorders. I have been a site Primary Investigator for Clinical Trials - IMPROVE AD (2024- present), TREO (P1900015) Post Approval Study (2021-present), BEST - Registry (2020-2023), BEST-CLI Trial (2015 - 2022). I remain committed to excellence in education through my role as a Vascular Fellowship Program Director. I have served as a proctor for events focused on improving excellence in vascular training, such as the Advanced Surgical Skills & Simulation Assessment Program and New York Endovascular Symposium Aortic Symposium Cadaver Workshop. In my role as Secretary General of the World Federation of Vascular Societies (WFVS), I have created numerous Symposia around the world in collaboration with leaders of major vascular societies to give visibility to my peers from the SVS so they can present their work and receive global recognition. Some of these include the WFVS Symposium at VEITH, Charing Cross, SVS Vascular Annual Meeting and support those held abroad by ensuring SVS representation at meetings held by the European Society for Vascular Surgery, the Annual meeting in South Africa, and Panamerican meeting in Brazil. To expand the reach of the WFVS and create more opportunities for younger aspiring vascular surgeons, I have founded the Global Training Initiative (GTI) which includes a trainee or young surgeon representative from each of the WFVS Societal Members. This includes representatives from the SVS Young Surgeons Section and Women's Section. We aim to address ongoing concerns faced by trainees across the globe such as issues with training, work-life balance, mentoring, and education. National societies collaborate and provide resources to trainees on a shared portal/website. At the request of the GTI we designed a program at Charing Cross 2024 with Challenging Cases and Leadership Challenges.

Videos

Question 1: What do you think is the #1 challenge facing SVS members in the next two years?

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Question 2: What should the SVS be doing regarding the promotion of appropriate care and admonishment of inappropriate care?

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Question 3: What is your message for members & nonmembers who may be feeling somewhat disengaged & questioning the value of SVS membership?

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Leadership Development Program Cohort 4

SVS, SCVS and VESS logos

The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a six-month-long interactive learning experience for U.S./Canadian vascular surgeons who are five-10 years out of training. A series of webinars, mentoring and a 1.5-day in-person workshop will serve as the curriculum to guide participants as they identify and tackle real-life challenges faced by leaders in vascular surgery.   

The aim is for the participants to reach their full potential as leaders and make a positive impact in the specialty, in their workplace and community, and in other areas of importance in their life. 

Program content is drawn from the highest quality research on leadership with an intense focus on applying this knowledge to real-life challenges. 

The 2022-2023 application process is now closed. See a list of participants here. 

Program Information

Date of Release: September 28, 2022

Last Day to Claim CE credits or earn a Certificate: May 1, 2023

This CE Activity is supported through an educational grant provided by Boston Scientific and Gore

Core Faculty

Manuel Garcia-Toca, MD, MS
Faisal Aziz, MD
Dawn M Coleman, MD
Randall R DeMartino, MD
Kristina Giles, MD
Kenneth M Slaw, PhD

Additional Faculty

Bhagwan Satiani, MD, MBA
John Burrows, PhD

 

Dates

Date Time Section
09/28/2022 7:00-8:15 PM Central SVS LDP Webinar 1: Kick-off/Orientation- Not for CME
10/26/2022 7:00-8:15 PM Central SVS LDP Webinar 2: LPI Assessment
11/09/2022 7:00-8:15 PM Central SVS LDP Webinar 3: Model the Way
12/07/2022 7:00-8:15 PM Central SVS LDP Webinar 4: Inspire a Shared Vision
02/01/2023 7:00-8:15 PM Central SVS LDP Webinar 5: Challenge the Process
03/01/2023 7:00-8:15 PM Central SVS LDP Webinar 6: Enable Others to Act
03/31 - 04/01/2023 1.5 Days SVS LDP In-Person Workshop 7: Encourage the Heart + Case Study Project | Rosemont, IL 
06/15/2023 12:00-1:00 PM Eastern LDP Cohort 4 Graduation- Not for CME

Accreditation Statement

The Society for Vascular Surgery is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Society for Vascular Surgery designates this other/blended for a maximum of 18.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement

The ACCME requires that the SVS, as an accredited provider of CME, disclose the relevant financial relationships of the planners, faculty, and any other individuals in a position to control content of this activity. However, Accredited providers do not need to identify, mitigate, or disclose relevant financial relationships for accredited education that is non-clinical, such as leadership or communication skills training. Therefore, there are no disclosures for this accredited activity.


Important Information about your CME credits for LDP Cohort 4

The American Board of Surgery (ABS) recently made changes to its CME processes, which impact the way that Diplomates interact with the Board, upload CME credits, and meet Certification requirements. SVS is committed to complying with the new rules and making your ability to claim credit as seamless as possible, however, we are still in the process of aligning our systems to meet these new requirements.   

To ensure all your CME credits earned with SVS are transferred to the ABS, please visit this website to review the process.

Review the Process

More Information:

SVS will communicate any changes to this information as it becomes available. We look forward to seeing everyone in-person!

Questions

Please contact education@vascularsociety.org.

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2023 Proposed SVS Bylaws Changes

Voting closed on 11:59 p.m. EST on Nov. 19. 

In accordance with SVS Bylaws the SVS Executive Board may propose changes to Bylaws, and upon 50% approval of the Strategic Board of Directors (SBOD), may proceed to a referendum of the Voting Membership to ratify any such changes following 30-days official notice.

An eblast was sent the afternoon of Oct. 4, 2023, to serve as official notice to the Membership that the Executive Board has proposed, and the SBOD has approved, moving two fundamental changes to the voting membership in a referendum. The first is in SVS bylaws-Article III, relating to Membership; and the second is in Articles V and VII, relating to the composition of the Executive Board, which includes both elected and appointed members. 

  1. Article III Changes:  Establishing “Early Active” Membership
    These bylaw changes were initiated by early-career members with support from the Young Surgeon Section and Membership Committee to establish a process of “auto-transition” from Candidate to Active membership with a minimum of barriers or extra steps in the process. Because post-training Candidates are in various stages of transition the proposed change establishes a new sub-category of membership called “Early Active” with increased dues and enhanced engagement while preparing for and passing their Vascular Surgery Board Exam. Once their boards are passed, Early Active members are “auto-transitioned” to full Active membership within two years. The proposed change outlines enhanced privileges for Early Active members including service on SVS committees and the right to vote in SVS elections.  
     
  2. Article V and VII Changes: Composition of the Executive Board 
    These bylaw changes were initiated by the Executive Board with support from the SVS Nominating Committee, to align Executive Board composition with current best practices for medical societies that increase diversity of perspective for decision-making and governance, as well as provide for greater flexibility and agility of the Executive Board to address evolving needs over time.  
    The Executive Board is currently comprised of six elected officers (three elected, and three acceding from previous elections) and three appointed members that are “locked” or designated roles via bylaws, for a total of nine members. The proposed changes expand the SVS Executive Board from the current nine to 11 positions, by expanding the number of non-officer appointed positions from three to five, instead of locking or designating them to a specific position, the "At-Large" positions will be staggered three-year terms. These positions will be appointed by the Executive Board from a list of nominees vetted by the Nominating Committee and prioritized by the SBOD based on identified priority gaps in expertise or perspective. 

To make the proposed changes easier to understand, the SVS has created an infographic highlighting the key points. View the infographic below. 

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Bylaws Change Infographic

Please review the redline version of the proposed changes. Beginning Nov. 6, 2023, there will be communications inviting all Active and Senior members to cast their vote.

If you have questions, please email governance@vascularsociety.org.

FAQS

  1. When will voting be open for this referendum?
    • Voting on the bylaws referendum will open on Monday, Nov. 6 and will close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 19. All voting-eligible members will receive notifications when the election opens.
  2. Who is voting-eligible in this election?
    • All Active and Senior SVS members in good standing are eligible to vote in this election.
    • “Good standing” means you are up to date on paying your membership dues. If you are unsure about your current status, login here.
  3. How will I cast my vote?
    • Voting members will vote online. To vote you will need your SVS username and password. If you have forgotten either one, please visit the “My Account” page and press the “Forgot username or password?” link. 
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SVS Presents

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About SVS Presents

The Society for Vascular Surgery strives to advance the learning experience of its members and those interested in vascular health through activities that promote engagement, accessibility and sustained change. Members stated, through the educational needs assessment that they want SVS to continue to offer online education, but to try to condense our offerings to once a month.  Therefore, beginning April 12, the SVS will begin “SVS Presents” which will provide an evening of educational programming accessible for free as a member benefit.

“SVS Presents” will be hosted either the first or second Wednesday evening of every month, excluding the months of January and June due to holidays and the days leading up to the Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM). Some months will have more than one webinar but will run consecutively. This will be a one-year pilot to measure the interest and increase engagement from all SVS member segments. The goal of the series is to expand the programming and encourage committees to utilize this day as the scheduled release date for educational content. 

The webinars will be live and then hosted on the SVS site under SVS On Demand. This will give attendees the opportunity, especially for the webinar content, to participate live as they have been or watch it on demand at their leisure. Be sure to bookmark SVS On Demand to find all the content in one easy location. Webinar content will vary in the duration of their time, but most will be scheduled between 6 and 8 p.m. CST.

"SVS Presents" will always be free to all SVS Members, however, there will be some months when non-members will be required to pay a small fee to attend the presentations. You can learn more about SVS membership here.

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SVS Presents...Replay

Miss the last SVS Presents...webinar or want to rewatch one from a previous month? Visit this page to find the link to the available recordings. To access, you will need to login to your SVS Account. 

Postgraduate Education Committee

Postgraduate Education Committee

The Postgraduate Education Committee is to identify, develop, direct and assess postgraduate education relevant to the SVS membership in advancing the practice, curricula and scope of practice in vascular surgery.

ACCME Standards

The Education Council and Committees oversee the development and implementation of CME activities and as such volunteers must adhere to The Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.  Per these requirements, owners, executives and employees of ineligible companies (formerly known as commercial interest) are considered to have unresolvable financial relationships and must be excluded from participating as planners or faculty.  These individuals cannot influence or control any aspect of the planning, delivery, or evaluation of accredited continuing education, except in the limited circumstances outlined in Standard 3.2.  All volunteers involved as planners or faculty will be required to disclose all financial relationships within the prior 24 months.  

Committee Members

Claudie McArthur Sheahan, MD  – Chair      Harish Krishnamoorthi, MD       
Faisal  Aziz, MD Joseph Hart, MD   
Angelo Arreola, MD Nathan Kugler, MD
Jonathan Bath, MD Linda Le, MD
Rafael Dominquez, MD Anthony Lewis, MD
Mohammad Eslami, MD, MPH Pallavi Manvar-Singh, MD
Javairiah Fatima, MD, FACS, RPVI, DFSVS Raghu Motaganahalli, MD
Behzad Farivar, MD Ravi Rajani, MD
Natasha Hansraj, MD Kathleen Raman, MD, MPH
Maen Aboul Hosn, MD Kenton Rommens, MD

 

If you have any questions regarding this committee, please contact:  Michelle Majewski at mmajewski@vascularsociety.org

 

Physician Assistants

About

SVS PA Section logo

In 2017, the SVS created a new membership section for vascular physician assistants. The section provides a "professional home" to PAs working in vascular care settings and has grown to 138 members after one short year of existence.

Benefits

  • PA-specific education at the Vascular Annual Meeting
  • Networking and peer mentoring opportunities
  • Leadership development through SVS committee engagement
  • Discounts on SVS events and our JVS subscription
  • Subscription to our Vascular Specialist monthly print publication and SVS Pulse electronic newsletter
  • A private PA Section community on SVSConnecta member-exclusive online space for collaboration, engagement and communication amongst other vascular professionals.

Eligibility

SVS Affiliate membership is available to physician assistants who have demonstrated an active interest in the field of vascular disease.

How to Apply

Membership applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Download the application for Affiliate membership and submit the completed documentation. You will need to include: a completed application form, including the names and contact information of two physicians who sponsor your application, one of which must be a member of the SVS in good standing, and a curriculum vitae. 

Submit completed application materials to membership@vascularsociety.org

Steering Committee

Holly Grunebach Headshot

Holly Grunebach, PA-C
Steering Committee Chair 

Jessica Fernandes, PA-C headshot

Jessica Fernandes, PA-C 

Stephen Robischon, PA-C headshot

Stephen Robischon, PA-C 

Danielle Scribani, PA headshot

Danielle Scribani, PA 

Robert Skasko, PA-C Headshot

Robert C. Skasko, Jr., PA-C 

Janine Tedesco, PA-C headshot

Janine Tedesco, PA-C 

Questions

 

Please contact the membership department at membership@vascularsociety.org or (312) 334-2313.         

 

Leadership Development Program (Cohort 5)

Overview

The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a seven-month-long interactive learning experience best suited for U.S./Canadian vascular surgeons who are 5-10 years out of training.

The curriculum is drawn from the highest quality evidenced-based model on leadership stemming from Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner’s, The Leadership Challenge, with an intense focus on applying this knowledge to real-life challenges. 

The program consists of webinars, on-demand didactic presentations, live online faculty-led discussions, mentoring, and a 1.5-day in-person workshop that will serve to guide participants as they identify and tackle real-life challenges faced by leaders in vascular surgery.

The aim is for the participants to reach their full potential as leaders and make a positive impact in the specialty, in their workplace and community, and in other areas of importance in their life. Build life-long relationships, have some fun, and invest in your future and the future of the profession all while earning CME credit!

Learning Objectives

By participating in this CME activity, the learner will be able to:

  1. Recognize the functional day-to-day behaviors that drive success in leadership.
  2. Understand the larger context of where physicians lead and can lead most effectively in complex health delivery systems.
  3. Apply selected leadership behavior in interactive learning scenarios to strengthen individualized learning, i.e., conflict resolution, team, and trust building.
  4. Apply a renewed passion for working in the profession of medicine, and specialty of vascular surgery.

Registration

Registration for the fifth Leadership Development Program cohort is now closed as we have reached capacity. If you want to be added to the waitlist and contacted if a current registrant drops out of Cohort 5, or you would like to receive information about next year's LDP (Cohort 6), please click here

Leadership Mastery Grant

The SVS and the Leadership Development Committee are pleased to offer up to four $3000 Leadership Mastery Grants to past Leadership Development Program (LDP) graduates. Past graduates of any LDP cohort are eligible to apply for one of these grants by filling out an application that outlines their plan to continue leadership education and apply it to serve the Society and the Specialty.

Submissions are closed for 2024. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:

Xzabia Caliste, MD - Albany Medical Healthcare System
Maria Castello Ramirez, MD - Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Fernando Joglar, MD - University of Puerto Rico
Payam Salehi, MD, PhD - Tufts Medicine

Program Details

Core Faculty

Manuel Garcia-Toca, MD, MS
Faisal Aziz, MD
Dawn M Coleman, MD
Randall R DeMartino, MD
Kristina Giles, MD
Kenneth M Slaw, PhD

Date of Release: April 11, 2024
Program End Date: November 2, 2024
Last Day to Claim CE credits or earn a Certificate: Dec. 2, 2024

This CE Activity is supported through an educational grant provided by Boston Scientific and Gore

Accreditation Statement

The Society for Vascular Surgery is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Society for Vascular Surgery designates this other/blended learning for a maximum of 18.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement

The ACCME requires that the SVS, as an accredited provider of CME, disclose the relevant financial relationships of the planners, faculty, and any other individuals in a position to control content of this activity. However, Accredited providers do not need to identify, mitigate, or disclose relevant financial relationships for accredited education that is non-clinical, such as leadership or communication skills training. Therefore, there are no disclosures for this accredited activity.

Schedule

Date Time Session Format CME Offered
Thursday, April 11, 2024
 
7-8:15 p.m. CT Session 1: Kick-off/Orientation Webinar 0
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 7-8:15 p.m. CT Session 2: LPI Assessment Webinar 1.25
TBD June 19-22, 2024 TBD 1-1.5 hrs LDP 1-1.5 hr Meet up (optional) In-person @ VAM24
Chicago, IL 
0
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 7-8:00 p.m. CT Session 3: Model the Way Faculty-led online discussion
On-demand recording viewed prior
1.50
July-Aug., 2024 TBD - per availability  Case study 1-on-1 mentor calls Call or virtual call 0
Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 7-8:00 p.m. CT Session 4: Inspire a Shared Vision Faculty-led online discussion
On-demand recording viewed prior
1.50
Wednesday, Sept.18, 2024 7-8:00 p.m. CT Session 5: Enable Others to Act Faculty-led online discussion
On-demand recording viewed prior
1.25
Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 7-8:00 p.m. CT Session 6: Challenge the Process  Faculty-led online discussion
On-demand recording viewed prior
1.25
Friday, Saturday, Nov. 1-2 (1.5 days)
Hotel - Nov. 1 check-in, Nov. 3 check-out
Friday – 12-8:30 p.m. CT
- includes lunch, dinner
Saturday – 8-5:00 p.m. CT
Session 7: Workshop and Graduation

In-person @ SVS Headquarters Rosemont, IL

12.00

Questions

Please contact education@vascularsociety.org


Important Information about your CME credits for LDP Cohort 4

The American Board of Surgery (ABS) recently made changes to its CME processes, which impact the way that Diplomates interact with the Board, upload CME credits, and meet Certification requirements. SVS is committed to complying with the new rules and making your ability to claim credit as seamless as possible, however, we are still in the process of aligning our systems to meet these new requirements.   

To ensure all your CME credits earned with SVS are transferred to the ABS, please visit this website to review the process.

Review the Process

More Information:

SVS will communicate any changes to this information as it becomes available.

Explore SVS' list of tools, resources and programs for leadership development in vascular surgery. 

See the list

SVS Officers and the Strategic Board of Directors

2024-2025 Officers and the Strategic Board of Directors

Matthew Eagleton, MD

Matthew Eagleton, MD, DFSVS
President 

Keith Calligaro headshot

Keith Calligaro, MD, DFSVS
President-Elect 

Linda Harris Headshot

Linda Harris, MD, DFSVS
Vice President 

William Shutze Headshot

William Shutze, MD, DFSVS
Secretary 

Thomas Forbes, headshot

Thomas Forbes, MD, DFSVS
Treasurer 

Joe Mills Headshot

Joseph Mills, MD, DFSVS
Immediate Past President

Jason Lee headshot

Jason Lee, MD
Program Committee Chair
 

Anil Hingorani Headshot

Anil Hingorani, MD
SAVC Chair
 

Dan McDevitt headshot

Daniel McDevitt, MD, DFSVS
Clinical Practice Council Chair 

Kellie Brown headshot

Kellie Brown, MD, DFSVS
Education Council Chair/Special Liaison
 

Adam Beck, headshot

Adam Beck, MD
Patient Safety Organization/VQI Governing Council
 

Megan Tracci Headshot

Margaret Tracci, MD, DFSVS
Advocacy Council Chair
 

Dennis Gable Headshot

Dennis Gable, MD, DFSVS
Quality Council Chair
 

Peter Henke, MD

Peter Henke, MD
Research Council Chair
 

Audra Duncan Headshot

Audra Duncan, MD
Women's Section Chair
/Special Liaison

Lori Pounds Headshot

Lori Pounds, MD, DFSVS
American Venous Forum 

Rana Afifi headshot

Rana Afifi, MD
DEI Committee Chair
 

Ted Gifford headshot

Edward Gifford, MD
Young Surgeons Section Chair
 

Enrico Ascher headshot

Enrico Ascher, MD, DFSVS
Senior Section Chair

Holly Grunebach Headshot

Holly Grunebach, PA-C
Physician Assistant Section Chair
 

Dawn Coleman Headshot

Dawn Coleman, MD, DFSVS
Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery
 

Heather Gill Headshot

Heather Gill, MD
Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery
 

Yana Etkin headshot

Yana Etkin, MD
Eastern Vascular Society
 

Patrick Geraghty Headshot

Patrick Geraghty, MD, DFSVS
Midwestern Society for Vascular Surgery
 

David Stone headshot

David Stone, MD
New England Society for Vascular Surgery
 

Caron Rockman Headshot

Caron Rockman, MD
Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery
 

Mark Farber Headshot

Mark Farber, MD, FSVS
Southern Association for Vascular Surgery
 

Bernadette Aulivola Headshot

Bernadette Aulivola, MD
Vascular and Endovascular Society/Strategic Board of Directors Liaison

Rabih Chaer headshot

Rabih Chaer, MD, DFSVS
Vascular Surgery Board
 

Ahmed About-Zamzam Headshot

Ahmed Abou-Zamzam, MD, DFSVS
Western Vascular Society
 

Karen Bauer headshot

Karen Bauer, DNP, APRN-FNP, CWS, FAAWC
Society for Vascular Nursing

Kwame Amankwah headshot

Kwame Amankwah, MD
Special Liaison
 

Kenneth Slaw Headshot

Kenneth M. Slaw, PhD
Executive Director

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