News from the SVS

An important election is being held on November 6 for all House of Representatives’ seats, one-third of Senate seats and President. Many of these races will be very close, so your vote can truly make a difference.

Also, most states have local and state races and/or ballot issues, which include health care.

SVS members/staff have attended 74 PAC events this year for congressional candidates who support issues that are important to vascular surgeons.

If you have not contributed to the PAC, you can use the PAC contribution form or give online here.

An important election is being held on November 6 for all House of Representatives’ seats, one-third of Senate seats and President. Many of these races will be very close, so your vote can truly make a difference.

Also, most states have local and state races and/or ballot issues, which include health care.

SVS members/staff have attended 74 PAC events this year for congressional candidates who support issues that are important to vascular surgeons.

If you have not contributed to the PAC, you can use the PAC contribution form or give online here.

An important election is being held on November 6 for all House of Representatives’ seats, one-third of Senate seats and President. Many of these races will be very close, so your vote can truly make a difference.

Also, most states have local and state races and/or ballot issues, which include health care.

SVS members/staff have attended 74 PAC events this year for congressional candidates who support issues that are important to vascular surgeons.

If you have not contributed to the PAC, you can use the PAC contribution form or give online here.

Dear Colleague:

Thanks to your generosity, the Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) Foundation continues to fulfill its mission of funding vascular disease research. The support of SVS members was apparent when the Foundation presented more than $250,000 in grants and awards to leaders in vascular research during the June 2012 Vascular Annual Meeting® in National Harbor, Maryland. SVS Foundation awards and grants included the following long-term commitments in clinical and translational research grants:

• Clinical research seed grants that provide direct support for pilot clinical projects which have potential to grow into larger studies fundable by industry or governmental sources.

• A clinical study planning grant that supports the development of all the components necessary for a competitive, multi-center clinical trial application.

• Medical student and resident awards that stimulate development of research skills and exploration of investigative careers.

• Partner grants with the National Institutes of Health, the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, and the Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award, that support vascular surgeon scientists in the early stages of their careers.

In addition, the Foundation presented a new award. For the first time, the Foundation presented a $100,000 Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant. The recipient was Thomas Hatsukami, MD, of the University of Washington in Seattle. This award represents a new research initiative for the SVS Foundation.

As other initiatives become evident, it is hoped that SVS Foundation will have the foresight and funds to foster vascular clinical and translational research. For this reason and for the future of our field, SVS Foundation thanks current donors and encourages all members to support the future of vascular disease research.

Donations can be made through the SVS website at: www.vascularweb.org/about/SVSFoundation/Pages/default.aspx

Sincerely,

Richard Cambria, MD

Chair, SVS Foundation

Dear Colleague:

Thanks to your generosity, the Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) Foundation continues to fulfill its mission of funding vascular disease research. The support of SVS members was apparent when the Foundation presented more than $250,000 in grants and awards to leaders in vascular research during the June 2012 Vascular Annual Meeting® in National Harbor, Maryland. SVS Foundation awards and grants included the following long-term commitments in clinical and translational research grants:

• Clinical research seed grants that provide direct support for pilot clinical projects which have potential to grow into larger studies fundable by industry or governmental sources.

• A clinical study planning grant that supports the development of all the components necessary for a competitive, multi-center clinical trial application.

• Medical student and resident awards that stimulate development of research skills and exploration of investigative careers.

• Partner grants with the National Institutes of Health, the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, and the Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award, that support vascular surgeon scientists in the early stages of their careers.

In addition, the Foundation presented a new award. For the first time, the Foundation presented a $100,000 Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant. The recipient was Thomas Hatsukami, MD, of the University of Washington in Seattle. This award represents a new research initiative for the SVS Foundation.

As other initiatives become evident, it is hoped that SVS Foundation will have the foresight and funds to foster vascular clinical and translational research. For this reason and for the future of our field, SVS Foundation thanks current donors and encourages all members to support the future of vascular disease research.

Donations can be made through the SVS website at: www.vascularweb.org/about/SVSFoundation/Pages/default.aspx

Sincerely,

Richard Cambria, MD

Chair, SVS Foundation

Dear Colleague:

Thanks to your generosity, the Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) Foundation continues to fulfill its mission of funding vascular disease research. The support of SVS members was apparent when the Foundation presented more than $250,000 in grants and awards to leaders in vascular research during the June 2012 Vascular Annual Meeting® in National Harbor, Maryland. SVS Foundation awards and grants included the following long-term commitments in clinical and translational research grants:

• Clinical research seed grants that provide direct support for pilot clinical projects which have potential to grow into larger studies fundable by industry or governmental sources.

• A clinical study planning grant that supports the development of all the components necessary for a competitive, multi-center clinical trial application.

• Medical student and resident awards that stimulate development of research skills and exploration of investigative careers.

• Partner grants with the National Institutes of Health, the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, and the Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award, that support vascular surgeon scientists in the early stages of their careers.

In addition, the Foundation presented a new award. For the first time, the Foundation presented a $100,000 Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant. The recipient was Thomas Hatsukami, MD, of the University of Washington in Seattle. This award represents a new research initiative for the SVS Foundation.

As other initiatives become evident, it is hoped that SVS Foundation will have the foresight and funds to foster vascular clinical and translational research. For this reason and for the future of our field, SVS Foundation thanks current donors and encourages all members to support the future of vascular disease research.

Donations can be made through the SVS website at: www.vascularweb.org/about/SVSFoundation/Pages/default.aspx

Sincerely,

Richard Cambria, MD

Chair, SVS Foundation

Corporate Donors

Covidien

Medtronic Inc. – supported Clinical Research Seed Grants

Gore & Associates, Inc. – supported E.J. Wylie Traveling Fellowship

Individual Contributors

Babak Abai, MD

Ali F. AbuRahma, MD

Donald L. Akers, MD

Toulope Akinyemi, MD

Brent T. Allen, MD

Leonard S. Anderson, MD

Marvin D. Atkins, Jr., MD

Arthur I. Auer, MD

Bernadette Aulivola, MD

Mario H. Avila, MD

Julius W. Babb, MD

William H. Baker, MD

Dennis F. Bandyk, MD

Edwin G. Beven, MD

John Blebea, MD

Charles W. Bouch, MD

Kevin J. Bruen, MD

Christopher H. Byrne, MD

Julio A. Calderin, MD

Keith D. Calligaro, MD

Richard P. Cambria, MD

James G. Chandler, MD

Giancarlo Cires, MD

Daniel G. Clair, MD

William B. Cohen, MD

William Cole, MD

Carlo A. Dall\'Olmo, MD

Michael C. Dalsing, MD

Gustavo A. De Jesus, MD

Deepak Deshmukh, DO

Douglas A. Dorsay, MD

Peter S. Dovgan, MD

Maciej L. Dryjski, MD

Joseph R. Durham, MD

Thomas L. Forbes, MD

Randall W. Franz, MD

Julie Ann Freischlag, MD

Yves A. Gabriel, MD

Nicholas J. Gargiulo, III, MD

Peter Gloviczki, MD

Mitchell H. Goldman, MD

Naren Gupta, MD

Vivienne J. Halpern, MD, FACS

Ian Hamilton, Jr., MD, MBA, RPVI

Sachinder S. Hans, MD

Jennifer Heller, MD

Robert J. Hye, MD

Benjamin M. Jackson, MD, MS

Fernando L. Joglar, MD

Pierre B. Karam, MD

Thomas Kartis, Jr., MD

Michael P. Keller, MD

Melina R. Kibbe, MD

Terry A. King, MD

Robert L. Kistner, MD

Marvin E. Kuehner, MD

Jason T. Lee, MD

Michael A. Leke, MD

Lorraine Loretz, NP, DPM

Fedor Lurie, MD

Sean P. Lyden, MD

Michel Makaroun, MD

Rafael D. Malgor, MD

Ashraf M. Mansour, MD

Vito A. Mantese, MD

John H. Matsuura, MD

Nelson S. Menezes, MD

Louis M. Messina, MD

Gregory L. Moneta, MD

Mark W. Moritz, MD

Ryan D. Nachreiner, MD

Michael Ombrellino, MD

William Oppat, MD

C. Keith Ozaki, MD

Richard C. Pennell, MD

Bruce A. Perler, MD

John T. Perry III, MD

Ralph B. Pfeiffer, Jr., MD

Giancarlo Piano, MD

Edward J. Plecha, MD

Steven C. Powell, MD

Norman M. Rich, MD, FACS

Thomas S. Riles, MD

Andrew B. Roberts, MD

Jacob G. Robison, MD

Mark S. Rosenbloom, MD

Joel C. Rosenfeld, MD

Matthew B. Rossi, MD

Ulka Sachdev, MD

Richard J. Sanders, MD

Bhagwan Satiani, MD

Andres Schanzer, MD

Harry R. Schanzer, MD

Larry A. Scher, MD

Peter J. Schubart, MD

Piergiorgio G. Settembrini, MD

Anton N. Sidawy, MD, MPH

Tej M. Singh, MD

Mahalingham Sivakumar, MD

Paul A. Skudder, MD

Terry Steele

David S. Sumner, MD

Daniel D. Tamez, Jr., MD

Gary A. Tannenbaum, MD

Stephens D. Taylor, MD

Thomas T. Terramani, MD

Felix G. Vladimir, MD

James S. Wagner, MD

Thomas W. Wakefield, MD

Shenming Wang, MD, Ph.D

Michael A. Weber, MD

Mell B. Wellborn, III, MD

John V. White, MD

Douglas B. Wilhite, MD, RVT

Anson A. Yeager, MD

Elie J. Zayyat, MD

Jack Zeltzer, MD

Robert M. Zwolak, MD, PhD

Hobson Resident Research Contributors

Paul B. Haser, MD

Frank T. Padberg, MD

James S. Wagner, MD

Surgery Department Contributors

Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Richard P. Cambria, MD, Chief

Foundation and Association Contributors

Edwards Vascular Foundation (John D. Edwards, MD)

American College of Surgeons

von Liebig Foundation

Corporate Donors

Covidien

Medtronic Inc. – supported Clinical Research Seed Grants

Gore & Associates, Inc. – supported E.J. Wylie Traveling Fellowship

Individual Contributors

Babak Abai, MD

Ali F. AbuRahma, MD

Donald L. Akers, MD

Toulope Akinyemi, MD

Brent T. Allen, MD

Leonard S. Anderson, MD

Marvin D. Atkins, Jr., MD

Arthur I. Auer, MD

Bernadette Aulivola, MD

Mario H. Avila, MD

Julius W. Babb, MD

William H. Baker, MD

Dennis F. Bandyk, MD

Edwin G. Beven, MD

John Blebea, MD

Charles W. Bouch, MD

Kevin J. Bruen, MD

Christopher H. Byrne, MD

Julio A. Calderin, MD

Keith D. Calligaro, MD

Richard P. Cambria, MD

James G. Chandler, MD

Giancarlo Cires, MD

Daniel G. Clair, MD

William B. Cohen, MD

William Cole, MD

Carlo A. Dall\'Olmo, MD

Michael C. Dalsing, MD

Gustavo A. De Jesus, MD

Deepak Deshmukh, DO

Douglas A. Dorsay, MD

Peter S. Dovgan, MD

Maciej L. Dryjski, MD

Joseph R. Durham, MD

Thomas L. Forbes, MD

Randall W. Franz, MD

Julie Ann Freischlag, MD

Yves A. Gabriel, MD

Nicholas J. Gargiulo, III, MD

Peter Gloviczki, MD

Mitchell H. Goldman, MD

Naren Gupta, MD

Vivienne J. Halpern, MD, FACS

Ian Hamilton, Jr., MD, MBA, RPVI

Sachinder S. Hans, MD

Jennifer Heller, MD

Robert J. Hye, MD

Benjamin M. Jackson, MD, MS

Fernando L. Joglar, MD

Pierre B. Karam, MD

Thomas Kartis, Jr., MD

Michael P. Keller, MD

Melina R. Kibbe, MD

Terry A. King, MD

Robert L. Kistner, MD

Marvin E. Kuehner, MD

Jason T. Lee, MD

Michael A. Leke, MD

Lorraine Loretz, NP, DPM

Fedor Lurie, MD

Sean P. Lyden, MD

Michel Makaroun, MD

Rafael D. Malgor, MD

Ashraf M. Mansour, MD

Vito A. Mantese, MD

John H. Matsuura, MD

Nelson S. Menezes, MD

Louis M. Messina, MD

Gregory L. Moneta, MD

Mark W. Moritz, MD

Ryan D. Nachreiner, MD

Michael Ombrellino, MD

William Oppat, MD

C. Keith Ozaki, MD

Richard C. Pennell, MD

Bruce A. Perler, MD

John T. Perry III, MD

Ralph B. Pfeiffer, Jr., MD

Giancarlo Piano, MD

Edward J. Plecha, MD

Steven C. Powell, MD

Norman M. Rich, MD, FACS

Thomas S. Riles, MD

Andrew B. Roberts, MD

Jacob G. Robison, MD

Mark S. Rosenbloom, MD

Joel C. Rosenfeld, MD

Matthew B. Rossi, MD

Ulka Sachdev, MD

Richard J. Sanders, MD

Bhagwan Satiani, MD

Andres Schanzer, MD

Harry R. Schanzer, MD

Larry A. Scher, MD

Peter J. Schubart, MD

Piergiorgio G. Settembrini, MD

Anton N. Sidawy, MD, MPH

Tej M. Singh, MD

Mahalingham Sivakumar, MD

Paul A. Skudder, MD

Terry Steele

David S. Sumner, MD

Daniel D. Tamez, Jr., MD

Gary A. Tannenbaum, MD

Stephens D. Taylor, MD

Thomas T. Terramani, MD

Felix G. Vladimir, MD

James S. Wagner, MD

Thomas W. Wakefield, MD

Shenming Wang, MD, Ph.D

Michael A. Weber, MD

Mell B. Wellborn, III, MD

John V. White, MD

Douglas B. Wilhite, MD, RVT

Anson A. Yeager, MD

Elie J. Zayyat, MD

Jack Zeltzer, MD

Robert M. Zwolak, MD, PhD

Hobson Resident Research Contributors

Paul B. Haser, MD

Frank T. Padberg, MD

James S. Wagner, MD

Surgery Department Contributors

Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Richard P. Cambria, MD, Chief

Foundation and Association Contributors

Edwards Vascular Foundation (John D. Edwards, MD)

American College of Surgeons

von Liebig Foundation

Corporate Donors

Covidien

Medtronic Inc. – supported Clinical Research Seed Grants

Gore & Associates, Inc. – supported E.J. Wylie Traveling Fellowship

Individual Contributors

Babak Abai, MD

Ali F. AbuRahma, MD

Donald L. Akers, MD

Toulope Akinyemi, MD

Brent T. Allen, MD

Leonard S. Anderson, MD

Marvin D. Atkins, Jr., MD

Arthur I. Auer, MD

Bernadette Aulivola, MD

Mario H. Avila, MD

Julius W. Babb, MD

William H. Baker, MD

Dennis F. Bandyk, MD

Edwin G. Beven, MD

John Blebea, MD

Charles W. Bouch, MD

Kevin J. Bruen, MD

Christopher H. Byrne, MD

Julio A. Calderin, MD

Keith D. Calligaro, MD

Richard P. Cambria, MD

James G. Chandler, MD

Giancarlo Cires, MD

Daniel G. Clair, MD

William B. Cohen, MD

William Cole, MD

Carlo A. Dall\'Olmo, MD

Michael C. Dalsing, MD

Gustavo A. De Jesus, MD

Deepak Deshmukh, DO

Douglas A. Dorsay, MD

Peter S. Dovgan, MD

Maciej L. Dryjski, MD

Joseph R. Durham, MD

Thomas L. Forbes, MD

Randall W. Franz, MD

Julie Ann Freischlag, MD

Yves A. Gabriel, MD

Nicholas J. Gargiulo, III, MD

Peter Gloviczki, MD

Mitchell H. Goldman, MD

Naren Gupta, MD

Vivienne J. Halpern, MD, FACS

Ian Hamilton, Jr., MD, MBA, RPVI

Sachinder S. Hans, MD

Jennifer Heller, MD

Robert J. Hye, MD

Benjamin M. Jackson, MD, MS

Fernando L. Joglar, MD

Pierre B. Karam, MD

Thomas Kartis, Jr., MD

Michael P. Keller, MD

Melina R. Kibbe, MD

Terry A. King, MD

Robert L. Kistner, MD

Marvin E. Kuehner, MD

Jason T. Lee, MD

Michael A. Leke, MD

Lorraine Loretz, NP, DPM

Fedor Lurie, MD

Sean P. Lyden, MD

Michel Makaroun, MD

Rafael D. Malgor, MD

Ashraf M. Mansour, MD

Vito A. Mantese, MD

John H. Matsuura, MD

Nelson S. Menezes, MD

Louis M. Messina, MD

Gregory L. Moneta, MD

Mark W. Moritz, MD

Ryan D. Nachreiner, MD

Michael Ombrellino, MD

William Oppat, MD

C. Keith Ozaki, MD

Richard C. Pennell, MD

Bruce A. Perler, MD

John T. Perry III, MD

Ralph B. Pfeiffer, Jr., MD

Giancarlo Piano, MD

Edward J. Plecha, MD

Steven C. Powell, MD

Norman M. Rich, MD, FACS

Thomas S. Riles, MD

Andrew B. Roberts, MD

Jacob G. Robison, MD

Mark S. Rosenbloom, MD

Joel C. Rosenfeld, MD

Matthew B. Rossi, MD

Ulka Sachdev, MD

Richard J. Sanders, MD

Bhagwan Satiani, MD

Andres Schanzer, MD

Harry R. Schanzer, MD

Larry A. Scher, MD

Peter J. Schubart, MD

Piergiorgio G. Settembrini, MD

Anton N. Sidawy, MD, MPH

Tej M. Singh, MD

Mahalingham Sivakumar, MD

Paul A. Skudder, MD

Terry Steele

David S. Sumner, MD

Daniel D. Tamez, Jr., MD

Gary A. Tannenbaum, MD

Stephens D. Taylor, MD

Thomas T. Terramani, MD

Felix G. Vladimir, MD

James S. Wagner, MD

Thomas W. Wakefield, MD

Shenming Wang, MD, Ph.D

Michael A. Weber, MD

Mell B. Wellborn, III, MD

John V. White, MD

Douglas B. Wilhite, MD, RVT

Anson A. Yeager, MD

Elie J. Zayyat, MD

Jack Zeltzer, MD

Robert M. Zwolak, MD, PhD

Hobson Resident Research Contributors

Paul B. Haser, MD

Frank T. Padberg, MD

James S. Wagner, MD

Surgery Department Contributors

Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Richard P. Cambria, MD, Chief

Foundation and Association Contributors

Edwards Vascular Foundation (John D. Edwards, MD)

American College of Surgeons

von Liebig Foundation

The first Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) Foundation Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant was presented to Thomas S. Hatsukami, MD, of the University of Washington, Seattle, during the Vascular Annual Meeting held June 6-8, 2012 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Approved in 2011, the new one-year, $100,000 SVS Foundation grant is directed to SVS members to fund high-impact multicenter clinical studies in the treatment and/or prevention of vascular diseases. The Planning Grant specifically targets SVS member investigators who have a track-record of productive clinical research.

Dr. Hatsukami is a Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is also the co-director of the Vascular Imaging Laboratory. The title of his project is: MRI of High-Risk Carotid Plaque.

"The management of carotid atherosclerosis is currently guided by severity of stenosis but there is increasing evidence that better selection criteria for carotid intervention are needed," said Dr. Hatsukami. "Novel techniques using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been developed that permit rapid assessment of carotid atherosclerosis – techniques that shift the focus from the flow channel to the diseased arterial wall itself.

"We are grateful for the support from the SVS Foundation which will enable the establishment of a network of imaging centers in preparation for a large, multicenter study to determine whether carotid plaque MRI improves risk stratification."

Additional information about the new Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant is available at: www.vascularweb.org/about/SVSFoundation/Pages/Multicenter-Clinical-Studies-Planning-Grant.aspx

The first Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) Foundation Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant was presented to Thomas S. Hatsukami, MD, of the University of Washington, Seattle, during the Vascular Annual Meeting held June 6-8, 2012 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Approved in 2011, the new one-year, $100,000 SVS Foundation grant is directed to SVS members to fund high-impact multicenter clinical studies in the treatment and/or prevention of vascular diseases. The Planning Grant specifically targets SVS member investigators who have a track-record of productive clinical research.

Dr. Hatsukami is a Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is also the co-director of the Vascular Imaging Laboratory. The title of his project is: MRI of High-Risk Carotid Plaque.

"The management of carotid atherosclerosis is currently guided by severity of stenosis but there is increasing evidence that better selection criteria for carotid intervention are needed," said Dr. Hatsukami. "Novel techniques using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been developed that permit rapid assessment of carotid atherosclerosis – techniques that shift the focus from the flow channel to the diseased arterial wall itself.

"We are grateful for the support from the SVS Foundation which will enable the establishment of a network of imaging centers in preparation for a large, multicenter study to determine whether carotid plaque MRI improves risk stratification."

Additional information about the new Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant is available at: www.vascularweb.org/about/SVSFoundation/Pages/Multicenter-Clinical-Studies-Planning-Grant.aspx

The first Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) Foundation Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant was presented to Thomas S. Hatsukami, MD, of the University of Washington, Seattle, during the Vascular Annual Meeting held June 6-8, 2012 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Approved in 2011, the new one-year, $100,000 SVS Foundation grant is directed to SVS members to fund high-impact multicenter clinical studies in the treatment and/or prevention of vascular diseases. The Planning Grant specifically targets SVS member investigators who have a track-record of productive clinical research.

Dr. Hatsukami is a Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is also the co-director of the Vascular Imaging Laboratory. The title of his project is: MRI of High-Risk Carotid Plaque.

"The management of carotid atherosclerosis is currently guided by severity of stenosis but there is increasing evidence that better selection criteria for carotid intervention are needed," said Dr. Hatsukami. "Novel techniques using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been developed that permit rapid assessment of carotid atherosclerosis – techniques that shift the focus from the flow channel to the diseased arterial wall itself.

"We are grateful for the support from the SVS Foundation which will enable the establishment of a network of imaging centers in preparation for a large, multicenter study to determine whether carotid plaque MRI improves risk stratification."

Additional information about the new Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant is available at: www.vascularweb.org/about/SVSFoundation/Pages/Multicenter-Clinical-Studies-Planning-Grant.aspx

In July, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) joined AAAneurysm Outreach, a newly-formed national non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

The new organization is the blending of the Medtronic-sponsored national public education campaign, Find the AAAnswers, with the Louisiana-based non-profit organization, Aneurysm Outreach, Inc.

Among the initiatives of the new organization is a support network for individuals and families impacted by AAA as well as free AAA screenings. For four months, a 40-foot bus will travel throughout the United States providing at-risk persons with free AAA screenings. SVS members are encouraged to volunteer onsite to answer questions. The bus tour is sponsored by Medtronic, Inc.

For a list of screening locations, log onto: www.AneurysmOutreach.org.

In July, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) joined AAAneurysm Outreach, a newly-formed national non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

The new organization is the blending of the Medtronic-sponsored national public education campaign, Find the AAAnswers, with the Louisiana-based non-profit organization, Aneurysm Outreach, Inc.

Among the initiatives of the new organization is a support network for individuals and families impacted by AAA as well as free AAA screenings. For four months, a 40-foot bus will travel throughout the United States providing at-risk persons with free AAA screenings. SVS members are encouraged to volunteer onsite to answer questions. The bus tour is sponsored by Medtronic, Inc.

For a list of screening locations, log onto: www.AneurysmOutreach.org.

In July, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) joined AAAneurysm Outreach, a newly-formed national non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

The new organization is the blending of the Medtronic-sponsored national public education campaign, Find the AAAnswers, with the Louisiana-based non-profit organization, Aneurysm Outreach, Inc.

Among the initiatives of the new organization is a support network for individuals and families impacted by AAA as well as free AAA screenings. For four months, a 40-foot bus will travel throughout the United States providing at-risk persons with free AAA screenings. SVS members are encouraged to volunteer onsite to answer questions. The bus tour is sponsored by Medtronic, Inc.

For a list of screening locations, log onto: www.AneurysmOutreach.org.

Vascular surgeons scheduled to take the upcoming recertification exam can benefit from VESAP®2, an online self-assessment program specifically developed by the Society for Vascular Surgery® to meet the self-assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.

"VESAP®2 has been completely revised since the inaugural version," said John F. Eidt, MD, who serves as Editor-In-Chief with Kim J. Hodgson, MD. "It is a comprehensive review of the most up-to-date information in vascular care."

The re-written, second edition VESAP®2 contains 450 new questions. This is twice the number of questions in the first edition. Each question includes detailed discussions and references.

"We have increased the number of questions on vascular medicine, dialysis access, and radiation safety," said Dr. Eidt. "The diversity of topics and number of images is also much greater."

VESAP®2 is a valuable study aid for residents and fellows preparing for ABSITE and VSITE examinations. Interventional cardiologists, radiologists, vascular medicine specialists, and allied healthcare professionals focusing on vascular diseases can also use the program to keep abreast of the current practice of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy.

Vascular professionals looking to remain current on the specialty can order VESAP® 2 today.

Vascular surgeons scheduled to take the upcoming recertification exam can benefit from VESAP®2, an online self-assessment program specifically developed by the Society for Vascular Surgery® to meet the self-assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.

"VESAP®2 has been completely revised since the inaugural version," said John F. Eidt, MD, who serves as Editor-In-Chief with Kim J. Hodgson, MD. "It is a comprehensive review of the most up-to-date information in vascular care."

The re-written, second edition VESAP®2 contains 450 new questions. This is twice the number of questions in the first edition. Each question includes detailed discussions and references.

"We have increased the number of questions on vascular medicine, dialysis access, and radiation safety," said Dr. Eidt. "The diversity of topics and number of images is also much greater."

VESAP®2 is a valuable study aid for residents and fellows preparing for ABSITE and VSITE examinations. Interventional cardiologists, radiologists, vascular medicine specialists, and allied healthcare professionals focusing on vascular diseases can also use the program to keep abreast of the current practice of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy.

Vascular professionals looking to remain current on the specialty can order VESAP® 2 today.

Vascular surgeons scheduled to take the upcoming recertification exam can benefit from VESAP®2, an online self-assessment program specifically developed by the Society for Vascular Surgery® to meet the self-assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.

"VESAP®2 has been completely revised since the inaugural version," said John F. Eidt, MD, who serves as Editor-In-Chief with Kim J. Hodgson, MD. "It is a comprehensive review of the most up-to-date information in vascular care."

The re-written, second edition VESAP®2 contains 450 new questions. This is twice the number of questions in the first edition. Each question includes detailed discussions and references.

"We have increased the number of questions on vascular medicine, dialysis access, and radiation safety," said Dr. Eidt. "The diversity of topics and number of images is also much greater."

VESAP®2 is a valuable study aid for residents and fellows preparing for ABSITE and VSITE examinations. Interventional cardiologists, radiologists, vascular medicine specialists, and allied healthcare professionals focusing on vascular diseases can also use the program to keep abreast of the current practice of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy.

Vascular professionals looking to remain current on the specialty can order VESAP® 2 today.

To help vascular surgeons maintain an extensive knowledge base on all aspects of vascular disease and health, the Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) is sponsoring the Second Annual Comprehensive Vascular Review Course to be held September 7-8 at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL.

"This course can be used as a 'refresher' for the practicing surgeon to review some uncommon vascular conditions that are not frequently encountered in a practice," said Cynthia K. Shortell, MD, who serves as course director with William D. Jordan, Jr., MD.

"While there is standard review of many basic vascular principles and conditions, the unusual will also be covered," she said. "In addition, participants will benefit from interacting with colleagues from around the world and posing questions to expert faculty."

The course will include didactic lectures, attendee interaction with audience response systems, and a panel for questions and answers. As a bonus, registrants will be allowed to purchase VESAP®2 at a special price of $300, only available at the time of registration.

Register online today and learn more about the course schedule, hotel accommodations, and CME credit at www.vascularweb.org. For questions, call 800-258-7188 or email education@vascularsociety.org.

To help vascular surgeons maintain an extensive knowledge base on all aspects of vascular disease and health, the Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) is sponsoring the Second Annual Comprehensive Vascular Review Course to be held September 7-8 at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL.

"This course can be used as a 'refresher' for the practicing surgeon to review some uncommon vascular conditions that are not frequently encountered in a practice," said Cynthia K. Shortell, MD, who serves as course director with William D. Jordan, Jr., MD.

"While there is standard review of many basic vascular principles and conditions, the unusual will also be covered," she said. "In addition, participants will benefit from interacting with colleagues from around the world and posing questions to expert faculty."

The course will include didactic lectures, attendee interaction with audience response systems, and a panel for questions and answers. As a bonus, registrants will be allowed to purchase VESAP®2 at a special price of $300, only available at the time of registration.

Register online today and learn more about the course schedule, hotel accommodations, and CME credit at www.vascularweb.org. For questions, call 800-258-7188 or email education@vascularsociety.org.

To help vascular surgeons maintain an extensive knowledge base on all aspects of vascular disease and health, the Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) is sponsoring the Second Annual Comprehensive Vascular Review Course to be held September 7-8 at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL.

"This course can be used as a 'refresher' for the practicing surgeon to review some uncommon vascular conditions that are not frequently encountered in a practice," said Cynthia K. Shortell, MD, who serves as course director with William D. Jordan, Jr., MD.

"While there is standard review of many basic vascular principles and conditions, the unusual will also be covered," she said. "In addition, participants will benefit from interacting with colleagues from around the world and posing questions to expert faculty."

The course will include didactic lectures, attendee interaction with audience response systems, and a panel for questions and answers. As a bonus, registrants will be allowed to purchase VESAP®2 at a special price of $300, only available at the time of registration.

Register online today and learn more about the course schedule, hotel accommodations, and CME credit at www.vascularweb.org. For questions, call 800-258-7188 or email education@vascularsociety.org.

Five new patient education fliers have been added to the online practice management toolkit at www.VascularWeb.org. Written in layman’s terms, the new vascular health fliers explain:

• Cholesterol

• High Blood Pressure

• Nutrition

• Physical Activity

• Varicose Veins

The fliers provide basic medical information for current and potential patients. The fliers may be customized to feature the name and address of an individual practice. The fliers are available in English and Spanish. The five new fliers are part of a free, downloadable library of vascular health fliers on VascularWeb.org. The other fliers include:

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

• AAA Medicare Screening Benefit

• How Statins Improve Vascular Health for the Vascular Patient

• How to Prepare for an Appointment with a Vascular Surgeon

• Peripheral Arterial Disease

• Preventative Care for Diabetics

• Smoking and Vascular Disease

• What is Vascular Disease?

• When Should You See a Vascular Surgeon?

• Your Blood’s Amazing Trip Through Your Vascular System

SVS members are encouraged to share all the patient educational resources with their patients and referring physicians.

Five new patient education fliers have been added to the online practice management toolkit at www.VascularWeb.org. Written in layman’s terms, the new vascular health fliers explain:

• Cholesterol

• High Blood Pressure

• Nutrition

• Physical Activity

• Varicose Veins

The fliers provide basic medical information for current and potential patients. The fliers may be customized to feature the name and address of an individual practice. The fliers are available in English and Spanish. The five new fliers are part of a free, downloadable library of vascular health fliers on VascularWeb.org. The other fliers include:

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

• AAA Medicare Screening Benefit

• How Statins Improve Vascular Health for the Vascular Patient

• How to Prepare for an Appointment with a Vascular Surgeon

• Peripheral Arterial Disease

• Preventative Care for Diabetics

• Smoking and Vascular Disease

• What is Vascular Disease?

• When Should You See a Vascular Surgeon?

• Your Blood’s Amazing Trip Through Your Vascular System

SVS members are encouraged to share all the patient educational resources with their patients and referring physicians.

Five new patient education fliers have been added to the online practice management toolkit at www.VascularWeb.org. Written in layman’s terms, the new vascular health fliers explain:

• Cholesterol

• High Blood Pressure

• Nutrition

• Physical Activity

• Varicose Veins

The fliers provide basic medical information for current and potential patients. The fliers may be customized to feature the name and address of an individual practice. The fliers are available in English and Spanish. The five new fliers are part of a free, downloadable library of vascular health fliers on VascularWeb.org. The other fliers include:

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

• AAA Medicare Screening Benefit

• How Statins Improve Vascular Health for the Vascular Patient

• How to Prepare for an Appointment with a Vascular Surgeon

• Peripheral Arterial Disease

• Preventative Care for Diabetics

• Smoking and Vascular Disease

• What is Vascular Disease?

• When Should You See a Vascular Surgeon?

• Your Blood’s Amazing Trip Through Your Vascular System

SVS members are encouraged to share all the patient educational resources with their patients and referring physicians.

Sensing the urgent need for more face-to-face advocacy, particularly with members of Congress who serve on health care committees, are leaders and/or MDs, SVS members have donated more than $150,000 to the SVS PAC in the past 18 months. All of this money is used to attend campaign fundraisers for Congressional members and non-incumbent candidates who are supportive of our issues.

I want to sincerely thank SVS members who contributed, which included all SVS members of the following vascular surgery groups: Albany Vascular Group, NY; Michigan Vascular Center, New York University, and The Cardiovascular Care Group, NJ, along with many SVS leaders.

SVS PAC is the only PAC that exclusively supports vascular surgery issues. The PAC has been a catalyst for positive provisions in the health care reform law including no additional cuts to imaging and removal of barriers to AAA screening such as co-pays, at least a freeze on Medicare physician payments for the last eight years vs. cuts and being "at the table" for Medicare physician payment reform.

With the recent Supreme Court decision on health care reform, there is much more to be done. One of SVS’ priorities is the repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The House has passed IPAB repeal, but now we must persuade Senators to support its version of this legislation.

Although I am encouraged that more members are contributing to the PAC, only 7 percent of SVS members are donors. As the new PAC Chair, I am asking the 93 percent who have not contributed to do so today by signing in at this link for online payment. Or mail your contribution with this printed form.

As I said on the video shown at the PAC booth during the Vascular Annual Meeting "I believe that supporting the SVS PAC is one of our professional duties and is an investment in the future of vascular surgery."

Sensing the urgent need for more face-to-face advocacy, particularly with members of Congress who serve on health care committees, are leaders and/or MDs, SVS members have donated more than $150,000 to the SVS PAC in the past 18 months. All of this money is used to attend campaign fundraisers for Congressional members and non-incumbent candidates who are supportive of our issues.

I want to sincerely thank SVS members who contributed, which included all SVS members of the following vascular surgery groups: Albany Vascular Group, NY; Michigan Vascular Center, New York University, and The Cardiovascular Care Group, NJ, along with many SVS leaders.

SVS PAC is the only PAC that exclusively supports vascular surgery issues. The PAC has been a catalyst for positive provisions in the health care reform law including no additional cuts to imaging and removal of barriers to AAA screening such as co-pays, at least a freeze on Medicare physician payments for the last eight years vs. cuts and being "at the table" for Medicare physician payment reform.

With the recent Supreme Court decision on health care reform, there is much more to be done. One of SVS’ priorities is the repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The House has passed IPAB repeal, but now we must persuade Senators to support its version of this legislation.

Although I am encouraged that more members are contributing to the PAC, only 7 percent of SVS members are donors. As the new PAC Chair, I am asking the 93 percent who have not contributed to do so today by signing in at this link for online payment. Or mail your contribution with this printed form.

As I said on the video shown at the PAC booth during the Vascular Annual Meeting "I believe that supporting the SVS PAC is one of our professional duties and is an investment in the future of vascular surgery."

Sensing the urgent need for more face-to-face advocacy, particularly with members of Congress who serve on health care committees, are leaders and/or MDs, SVS members have donated more than $150,000 to the SVS PAC in the past 18 months. All of this money is used to attend campaign fundraisers for Congressional members and non-incumbent candidates who are supportive of our issues.

I want to sincerely thank SVS members who contributed, which included all SVS members of the following vascular surgery groups: Albany Vascular Group, NY; Michigan Vascular Center, New York University, and The Cardiovascular Care Group, NJ, along with many SVS leaders.

SVS PAC is the only PAC that exclusively supports vascular surgery issues. The PAC has been a catalyst for positive provisions in the health care reform law including no additional cuts to imaging and removal of barriers to AAA screening such as co-pays, at least a freeze on Medicare physician payments for the last eight years vs. cuts and being "at the table" for Medicare physician payment reform.

With the recent Supreme Court decision on health care reform, there is much more to be done. One of SVS’ priorities is the repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The House has passed IPAB repeal, but now we must persuade Senators to support its version of this legislation.

Although I am encouraged that more members are contributing to the PAC, only 7 percent of SVS members are donors. As the new PAC Chair, I am asking the 93 percent who have not contributed to do so today by signing in at this link for online payment. Or mail your contribution with this printed form.

As I said on the video shown at the PAC booth during the Vascular Annual Meeting "I believe that supporting the SVS PAC is one of our professional duties and is an investment in the future of vascular surgery."

Vascular surgeons and their staffs who want to expand their coding knowledge and improve reimbursement should plan to attend Challenges in Vascular Surgery 2012: Coding and Reimbursement for Vascular Surgeons. The course will be held on Friday, October 19 from 1:00 until 5:00 pm and on Saturday, October 20 from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, IL.

"The major focus in vascular surgery should be patient care and quality outcomes," said course director Sean P. Roddy, MD. "While holding these goals primary, one can also evaluate the process by which care is rendered in order to optimize billing, coding, and, ultimately reimbursement."

Updated for 2013, the course covers United States coding and reimbursement updates including changes to carotid artery selective arterial catheterization and imaging along with the management of arterial and venous thrombolytic infusions.

This course will also review the 2012 updates including:

• changes to renal artery selective arterial catheterization and imaging

• vena cava filter insertion/repositioning/removal

• PQRI measures

• reporting standards for interventional and open surgical procedures

• information about the global surgical package and how it impacts billing and reimbursement

• the application of modifiers for streamlined reimbursement

Physicians who attend the course can receive a maximum of 11 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits (tm) Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) has approved 11 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for coders who attend the course.

Immediately preceding the course, an optional workshop, E & M Coding for Vascular Surgeons will occur on Friday, October 19, from 9:00 am until noon. To register for these SVS courses, log onto the Education and Meetings section of www.vascularweb.org.

Vascular surgeons and their staffs who want to expand their coding knowledge and improve reimbursement should plan to attend Challenges in Vascular Surgery 2012: Coding and Reimbursement for Vascular Surgeons. The course will be held on Friday, October 19 from 1:00 until 5:00 pm and on Saturday, October 20 from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, IL.

"The major focus in vascular surgery should be patient care and quality outcomes," said course director Sean P. Roddy, MD. "While holding these goals primary, one can also evaluate the process by which care is rendered in order to optimize billing, coding, and, ultimately reimbursement."

Updated for 2013, the course covers United States coding and reimbursement updates including changes to carotid artery selective arterial catheterization and imaging along with the management of arterial and venous thrombolytic infusions.

This course will also review the 2012 updates including:

• changes to renal artery selective arterial catheterization and imaging

• vena cava filter insertion/repositioning/removal

• PQRI measures

• reporting standards for interventional and open surgical procedures

• information about the global surgical package and how it impacts billing and reimbursement

• the application of modifiers for streamlined reimbursement

Physicians who attend the course can receive a maximum of 11 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits (tm) Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) has approved 11 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for coders who attend the course.

Immediately preceding the course, an optional workshop, E & M Coding for Vascular Surgeons will occur on Friday, October 19, from 9:00 am until noon. To register for these SVS courses, log onto the Education and Meetings section of www.vascularweb.org.

Vascular surgeons and their staffs who want to expand their coding knowledge and improve reimbursement should plan to attend Challenges in Vascular Surgery 2012: Coding and Reimbursement for Vascular Surgeons. The course will be held on Friday, October 19 from 1:00 until 5:00 pm and on Saturday, October 20 from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, IL.

"The major focus in vascular surgery should be patient care and quality outcomes," said course director Sean P. Roddy, MD. "While holding these goals primary, one can also evaluate the process by which care is rendered in order to optimize billing, coding, and, ultimately reimbursement."

Updated for 2013, the course covers United States coding and reimbursement updates including changes to carotid artery selective arterial catheterization and imaging along with the management of arterial and venous thrombolytic infusions.

This course will also review the 2012 updates including:

• changes to renal artery selective arterial catheterization and imaging

• vena cava filter insertion/repositioning/removal

• PQRI measures

• reporting standards for interventional and open surgical procedures

• information about the global surgical package and how it impacts billing and reimbursement

• the application of modifiers for streamlined reimbursement

Physicians who attend the course can receive a maximum of 11 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits (tm) Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) has approved 11 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for coders who attend the course.

Immediately preceding the course, an optional workshop, E & M Coding for Vascular Surgeons will occur on Friday, October 19, from 9:00 am until noon. To register for these SVS courses, log onto the Education and Meetings section of www.vascularweb.org.