AVF Presidential Session: Committee Reports and Leadership
Research and Guidelines Committee Growth
The AVF expanded beyond its Jobst basic science award with a new Boston Scientific translational research grant and a Janssen fellowship for real-world data, while the Guidelines Committee advanced a junctional reflux trial and new upper extremity DVT guidelines.
Patient and Professional Education Initiatives
The Education Council reported a completed Healthy Vein patient book with 53 contributing authorities, translated brochures and consent forms, new CEAP and SVP classification workbooks with the American Vein and Lymphatic Society, and a planned merger of the West Coast Vein Forum with the Fellows Course.
Health Policy and Advocacy Response
The Health Policy Committee described a coordinated response to proposed Medicare fee schedule cuts affecting office-based venous procedures, a closer relationship with the Society for Vascular Surgery and American Vein and Lymphatic Society, and a new policy navigator tool tracking payer coverage decisions.
Organizational Merger and Presidential Address
The AVF merged its society and foundation into one nonprofit to reduce duplication, and the session closed with a presidential address honoring outgoing president Antonios Gasparis, tracing his path from a family restaurant to vascular leadership.
