President's Session: Research Grants, Awards and Policy

Jobst Grant Research: Vein Wall Biology and Biomarkers

Andrea Obi’s mouse studies found a Pai one inhibitor shifted monocytes toward a pro-healing phenotype and preserved vein wall thickness after thrombosis, while Eri Fukaya’s bioimpedance study found higher LD ratios correlated with more advanced Ceap class, suggesting a progression biomarker.

Distinguished Fellows and the Founders Award

Six members were named Distinguished Fellows, Daniel Monahan, Kathleen Ozsvath, Laurie Pounds, Julianne Stoughton, Andre Van Rij, and Windsor Ting, and the Founders Award was presented to Doctor Joseph Caprini for his contributions to thromboembolism prevention and compression therapy.

Journal, Registry and Health Policy Updates

Reports described the JVS Venous and Lymphatic Disorders journal’s rising submissions and impact factor, the VQI venous registry surpassing 50,000 procedures, and Health Policy Committee advocacy on Medicare cuts, payer coverage denials, and a lymphedema consensus.

Introducing Incoming President Harold Welch

The session closed with a biographical tribute to incoming president Harold Welch, a Tufts trained vascular surgeon and Navy veteran now at Lahey Clinic, recognized by colleagues for decisive, consensus building leadership through a challenging pandemic year.