Lifetime Achievement Award
Submission Deadline: March 1
Download the Application Here
The Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor the SVS bestows on one of its members. Selection for this honor recognizes an individual’s outstanding and sustained contributions both to the profession and to SVS, as well as exemplary professional practice and leadership. Any SVS member in good standing may nominate a candidate for the award by downloading the Nomination Form (download the form) and submitting it along with and supporting documentation.
Selection Criteria
Candidates for the SVS Lifetime Achievement Award should be individuals who have exhibited outstanding leadership within the specialty as outlined below and who possess exceptional personal integrity and highest standards. Specific requirements to be considered in evaluating nominees include the following:
1. Contributions to SVS and other vascular societies
- Leadership that has influenced standards and professional practice
- Program, governance and committee activity
- Nominees would have been president or held another major leadership position in a regional or national vascular specialty society, or SVS
2. Contributions to vascular education
- Has led a fellowship and trained other renowned surgeons
- Conducted unique educational forums, e.g. postgraduate fellowships or renowned postgraduate courses
- Organized meetings
- Given invited lectures
- Exhibited innovation in education
- Received teaching awards
3. Contributions to vascular basic science or clinical research
- Has received continued grant support
- Has mentored / worked with graduate students for research
- Been a member/chair of grant review panel
4. Active and productive clinical surgeon
5. Special contributions to the field
- Has made contributions that elevate the national and/or international stature of the specialty of vascular surgery
- Performed regulatory, political or governmental work that advances the specialty
- Developed pioneering technique or concept
- Participated in device development
- Developed a process innovation
- Holds patents
- Made other advancements in vascular surgery
6. Publications
- Number and quality
- Impact on specialty
- Member editorial board
- Editor of major journal or text
7. Other honors received
8. Extramural activities that further the goals of the SVS and the profession
Nomination Process
Nominations will be reviewed by the SVS Awards & Distinctions Committee, which will determine the award recipient. Although a call for nominations will be made annually, the award may not be awarded each year. More than one award may be made per year. The SVS Awards & Distinctions Committee may also place names into nomination for the award. The award will be made during the Vascular Annual Meeting.
Past Recipients
SVS Lifetime Achievement Award
2023
Julie Ann Freischlag, MD
Enrico Ascher, MD
2022
Jonathan B. Towne, MD
2020 (received at VAM in 2021)
Robert B. Smith III, MD
2019
William Pearce, MD
2018
Gregorio Sicard, MD
2017
Herbert Dardik, MD
2016
Jack L. Cronenwett, MD
2015
Alexander W. Clowes, MD
2014
John Mannick, MD
2013
Norman Rich, MD
Frank LoGerfo, MD
2012
James C. Stanley, MD
2011
Wesley S. Moore, MD
2010
David S. Sumner, MD
Frank Veith, MD
2009
K. Wayne Johnston, MD
2007
James Yao, MD
2006
Ronald Stoney, MD
2005
Robert Rutherford, MD
SVS Distinguished Service Award
2003
Anthony Imparato, MD
2002
James DeWeese, MD
2001
Jesse Thompson, MD
2000
Emerick D. Szilagyi, MD
1999
Michael E. DeBakey, MD
1998
Richard Warren, MD