AVF Sumner Session: Governance, Guidelines and Accreditation

AVF Mission, Strategic Plan and Membership Resources

John Forbes reviewed AVF operations, nearly 800 members, and a five domain strategic plan already 75 percent complete, highlighting resources such as Venous Online video content, the AVF Exchange platform, and a monthly newsletter reaching over 5000 recipients.

Virtual Education and Patient Resources

Ellen Dillavou described converting the Fellows and Early Career series into a virtual curriculum reaching worldwide participants, while the Patient Education Committee produced five patient brochures, six model consents, and a forthcoming Healthy Vein book with 51 authors.

Guidelines Development and Appropriate Use Criteria

Elena Masuda traced the grade methodology for rating evidence, described the guidelines committee process for selecting balanced writing groups, and reviewed appropriate use criteria addressing overutilization, including ablation for axial reflux without saphenofemoral junction incompetence.

Toward Accreditation and Industry Partnership

A proposed focused practice designation in venous disease would create two certification levels through the American Board of Surgery, while a new venous advisory council, championed by BK Law, aims to connect AVF members with industry partners for research collaboration.