News from the SVS

The SVS Political Action Committee annual report for 2014 is now available online. Please take a few minutes to read about our past year. SVS PAC contributors recognize the value of having access to influential members of Congress and non-incumbent candidates to ensure they are familiar with legislative and regulatory issues faced by vascular surgeons and patients. But in fact, all vascular surgeons benefited from the 305 SVS PAC donors in 2014 who contributed a record-setting $113,000. These resources allowed SVS PAC volunteers and staff to attend many fundraising events for Congressional members and candidates seeking election. Read the report here: 2014 SVS PAC Annual Report [PDF]. Copies will also be available at the PAC booth during the 2015 Vascular Annual Meeting.

The SVS Political Action Committee annual report for 2014 is now available online. Please take a few minutes to read about our past year. SVS PAC contributors recognize the value of having access to influential members of Congress and non-incumbent candidates to ensure they are familiar with legislative and regulatory issues faced by vascular surgeons and patients. But in fact, all vascular surgeons benefited from the 305 SVS PAC donors in 2014 who contributed a record-setting $113,000. These resources allowed SVS PAC volunteers and staff to attend many fundraising events for Congressional members and candidates seeking election. Read the report here: 2014 SVS PAC Annual Report [PDF]. Copies will also be available at the PAC booth during the 2015 Vascular Annual Meeting.

The SVS Political Action Committee annual report for 2014 is now available online. Please take a few minutes to read about our past year. SVS PAC contributors recognize the value of having access to influential members of Congress and non-incumbent candidates to ensure they are familiar with legislative and regulatory issues faced by vascular surgeons and patients. But in fact, all vascular surgeons benefited from the 305 SVS PAC donors in 2014 who contributed a record-setting $113,000. These resources allowed SVS PAC volunteers and staff to attend many fundraising events for Congressional members and candidates seeking election. Read the report here: 2014 SVS PAC Annual Report [PDF]. Copies will also be available at the PAC booth during the 2015 Vascular Annual Meeting.

Are your coding and reimbursement processes where you want them to be? The Society for Vascular Ultrasound is offering a series of three coding webinars on May 21, June 3 and June 24.

The webinars are designed help you and your staff understand and prepare for Medicare changes, ICD-10 transition, the CMS definition of medical necessity steps to go through an appeal process and more. No need to travel to have access to essential information for your lab.

This course will use a variety of modalities to provide an educational forum including didactic lectures, case studies and question & answer sessions. Each session is work 1 SVU CME Credit. Attendees can register for one or all three sessions. For more information click here.

Are your coding and reimbursement processes where you want them to be? The Society for Vascular Ultrasound is offering a series of three coding webinars on May 21, June 3 and June 24.

The webinars are designed help you and your staff understand and prepare for Medicare changes, ICD-10 transition, the CMS definition of medical necessity steps to go through an appeal process and more. No need to travel to have access to essential information for your lab.

This course will use a variety of modalities to provide an educational forum including didactic lectures, case studies and question & answer sessions. Each session is work 1 SVU CME Credit. Attendees can register for one or all three sessions. For more information click here.

Are your coding and reimbursement processes where you want them to be? The Society for Vascular Ultrasound is offering a series of three coding webinars on May 21, June 3 and June 24.

The webinars are designed help you and your staff understand and prepare for Medicare changes, ICD-10 transition, the CMS definition of medical necessity steps to go through an appeal process and more. No need to travel to have access to essential information for your lab.

This course will use a variety of modalities to provide an educational forum including didactic lectures, case studies and question & answer sessions. Each session is work 1 SVU CME Credit. Attendees can register for one or all three sessions. For more information click here.

Young surgeons from outside North America may apply for an International Scholars Program scholarship, which offers a stipend for visiting U.S. universities and clinics.

Scholars spend about two weeks visiting in the U.S. and also attend the Vascular Annual Meeting, which will be in Washington, D.C., June 8-11.

Applicants should have graduated from medical school and be age 40 or younger. Working with a mentor, the scholar will visit clinical, teaching and research programs.

For more information, visit our International Scholars Program web page. And, if you have international friends who may know qualified applicants, please share this link. www.vascularweb.org/about/Pages/svs-international-scholars-program.aspx

Young surgeons from outside North America may apply for an International Scholars Program scholarship, which offers a stipend for visiting U.S. universities and clinics.

Scholars spend about two weeks visiting in the U.S. and also attend the Vascular Annual Meeting, which will be in Washington, D.C., June 8-11.

Applicants should have graduated from medical school and be age 40 or younger. Working with a mentor, the scholar will visit clinical, teaching and research programs.

For more information, visit our International Scholars Program web page. And, if you have international friends who may know qualified applicants, please share this link. www.vascularweb.org/about/Pages/svs-international-scholars-program.aspx

Young surgeons from outside North America may apply for an International Scholars Program scholarship, which offers a stipend for visiting U.S. universities and clinics.

Scholars spend about two weeks visiting in the U.S. and also attend the Vascular Annual Meeting, which will be in Washington, D.C., June 8-11.

Applicants should have graduated from medical school and be age 40 or younger. Working with a mentor, the scholar will visit clinical, teaching and research programs.

For more information, visit our International Scholars Program web page. And, if you have international friends who may know qualified applicants, please share this link. www.vascularweb.org/about/Pages/svs-international-scholars-program.aspx

If you are scheduled to be an abstract author or invited speaker at the Vascular Annual Meeting, it is time to complete your online profile. To ensure your information is included in the mobile app, please submit materials by May 4. Visit the abstract submission site to complete your profile, which will be included in the website and the app. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

If you are scheduled to be an abstract author or invited speaker at the Vascular Annual Meeting, it is time to complete your online profile. To ensure your information is included in the mobile app, please submit materials by May 4. Visit the abstract submission site to complete your profile, which will be included in the website and the app. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

If you are scheduled to be an abstract author or invited speaker at the Vascular Annual Meeting, it is time to complete your online profile. To ensure your information is included in the mobile app, please submit materials by May 4. Visit the abstract submission site to complete your profile, which will be included in the website and the app. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

Just because the 12-year SGR/Medicare Physician Payment debate has ended in Congress does not mean that vascular surgeons can rest easy. Private practice physicians in particular have many concerns ahead. Congress will think we do not care if we stay silent on  issues that affect our patients and our practices. We must be heard during deliberations on the following issues: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations for the Affordable Care Act,  Accountable Care Organization difficulties for surgeons, penalties for not participating in the Physician Quality Reporting System, EHR Meaningful Use Incentive Program and Value-Based Payment Modifier and maintaining the In-Office Ancillary Services Exception to the Stark law.

The most effective way to proactively combat threats to our practices is to contribute to the SVS PAC to ensure that one-on-one discussions continue with members of Congress who make decisions about the issues above. SVS PAC is the only organization that exclusively represents vascular surgeons.

Just because the 12-year SGR/Medicare Physician Payment debate has ended in Congress does not mean that vascular surgeons can rest easy. Private practice physicians in particular have many concerns ahead. Congress will think we do not care if we stay silent on  issues that affect our patients and our practices. We must be heard during deliberations on the following issues: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations for the Affordable Care Act,  Accountable Care Organization difficulties for surgeons, penalties for not participating in the Physician Quality Reporting System, EHR Meaningful Use Incentive Program and Value-Based Payment Modifier and maintaining the In-Office Ancillary Services Exception to the Stark law.

The most effective way to proactively combat threats to our practices is to contribute to the SVS PAC to ensure that one-on-one discussions continue with members of Congress who make decisions about the issues above. SVS PAC is the only organization that exclusively represents vascular surgeons.

Just because the 12-year SGR/Medicare Physician Payment debate has ended in Congress does not mean that vascular surgeons can rest easy. Private practice physicians in particular have many concerns ahead. Congress will think we do not care if we stay silent on  issues that affect our patients and our practices. We must be heard during deliberations on the following issues: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations for the Affordable Care Act,  Accountable Care Organization difficulties for surgeons, penalties for not participating in the Physician Quality Reporting System, EHR Meaningful Use Incentive Program and Value-Based Payment Modifier and maintaining the In-Office Ancillary Services Exception to the Stark law.

The most effective way to proactively combat threats to our practices is to contribute to the SVS PAC to ensure that one-on-one discussions continue with members of Congress who make decisions about the issues above. SVS PAC is the only organization that exclusively represents vascular surgeons.

The Vascular Annual Meeting is June 17-20 in Chicago, Ill. The deadline is May 14 to reserve hotel rooms at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, or the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza. Please make your reservations through the SVS Housing Bureau, which is managed by Wyndam Jade: http://vsweb.org/VAM15Hotels or by phone at 866-268-0197 (S) or 972-349-5435 (international callers.)

The Vascular Annual Meeting is June 17-20 in Chicago, Ill. The deadline is May 14 to reserve hotel rooms at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, or the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza. Please make your reservations through the SVS Housing Bureau, which is managed by Wyndam Jade: http://vsweb.org/VAM15Hotels or by phone at 866-268-0197 (S) or 972-349-5435 (international callers.)

The Vascular Annual Meeting is June 17-20 in Chicago, Ill. The deadline is May 14 to reserve hotel rooms at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, or the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza. Please make your reservations through the SVS Housing Bureau, which is managed by Wyndam Jade: http://vsweb.org/VAM15Hotels or by phone at 866-268-0197 (S) or 972-349-5435 (international callers.)

Your participation is needed now in the Strategic Visioning effort launched by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. The goal is to determine key scientific priorities for the next decade by developing compelling questions and critical challenges in the areas of heart, lung, blood and sleep research, as well as identifying the most significant barriers to progress. Submissions are due by May 15.

Submit questions and challenges, read other submissions and vote on their relevance at https://strategicvisioning.nhlbi.nih.gov/

A toolkit for spreading the word to your colleagues is available here.

For questions, email [email protected], or to schedule an informational session or webinar contact Hilary Leeds at [email protected].

Your participation is needed now in the Strategic Visioning effort launched by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. The goal is to determine key scientific priorities for the next decade by developing compelling questions and critical challenges in the areas of heart, lung, blood and sleep research, as well as identifying the most significant barriers to progress. Submissions are due by May 15.

Submit questions and challenges, read other submissions and vote on their relevance at https://strategicvisioning.nhlbi.nih.gov/

A toolkit for spreading the word to your colleagues is available here.

For questions, email [email protected], or to schedule an informational session or webinar contact Hilary Leeds at [email protected].

Your participation is needed now in the Strategic Visioning effort launched by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. The goal is to determine key scientific priorities for the next decade by developing compelling questions and critical challenges in the areas of heart, lung, blood and sleep research, as well as identifying the most significant barriers to progress. Submissions are due by May 15.

Submit questions and challenges, read other submissions and vote on their relevance at https://strategicvisioning.nhlbi.nih.gov/

A toolkit for spreading the word to your colleagues is available here.

For questions, email [email protected], or to schedule an informational session or webinar contact Hilary Leeds at [email protected].

If you register for the Vascular Annual Meeting before April ends, your name will be entered in a drawing for free registration. Registration must be completed before midnight, Eastern time (US). The Vascular Annual Meeting is June 17-20 in Chicago, Ill. Participants can take advantage of more sessions and information, self-assessment credits, expanded hands-on sessions, plenaries and much more -- not to mention the fun and excitement of visiting Chicago.

Register here.

If you register for the Vascular Annual Meeting before April ends, your name will be entered in a drawing for free registration. Registration must be completed before midnight, Eastern time (US). The Vascular Annual Meeting is June 17-20 in Chicago, Ill. Participants can take advantage of more sessions and information, self-assessment credits, expanded hands-on sessions, plenaries and much more -- not to mention the fun and excitement of visiting Chicago.

Register here.

If you register for the Vascular Annual Meeting before April ends, your name will be entered in a drawing for free registration. Registration must be completed before midnight, Eastern time (US). The Vascular Annual Meeting is June 17-20 in Chicago, Ill. Participants can take advantage of more sessions and information, self-assessment credits, expanded hands-on sessions, plenaries and much more -- not to mention the fun and excitement of visiting Chicago.

Register here.

Be sure to visit our interactive digital or PDF version of the April issue of Vascular Specialist, now available online. This month we are introducing our new associate medical editors, featuring a Point/Counterpoint on covered vs. drug-eluting stents in the SFA, and we present our Tips & Tricks column that deals with radiation safety for physicians during patient imaging.

In our News from SVS section there is further information on the upcoming Vascular Annual Meeting as well as a summary of a new article on the use of completion imaging from the Journal of Vascular Surgery.

Click to view our April PDF here or visit us at www.vascularspecialistonline.com.

Be sure to visit our interactive digital or PDF version of the April issue of Vascular Specialist, now available online. This month we are introducing our new associate medical editors, featuring a Point/Counterpoint on covered vs. drug-eluting stents in the SFA, and we present our Tips & Tricks column that deals with radiation safety for physicians during patient imaging.

In our News from SVS section there is further information on the upcoming Vascular Annual Meeting as well as a summary of a new article on the use of completion imaging from the Journal of Vascular Surgery.

Click to view our April PDF here or visit us at www.vascularspecialistonline.com.

Be sure to visit our interactive digital or PDF version of the April issue of Vascular Specialist, now available online. This month we are introducing our new associate medical editors, featuring a Point/Counterpoint on covered vs. drug-eluting stents in the SFA, and we present our Tips & Tricks column that deals with radiation safety for physicians during patient imaging.

In our News from SVS section there is further information on the upcoming Vascular Annual Meeting as well as a summary of a new article on the use of completion imaging from the Journal of Vascular Surgery.

Click to view our April PDF here or visit us at www.vascularspecialistonline.com.

You will be visiting at a great time. The weather is fabulous (average high, 80 degrees) and the festivals and parties are non-stop. The White Sox are playing and there are free concerts in nearby Grant Park. You could stick around that weekend for the Taste of Randolph Street, Ale Fest, the Puerto Rican Festival and Parade, the Italian Block Party, the Gold Coast Art Fair, Pride Fest – and more. See events12.com/Chicago/June.

Not only is the city built along the lake, it’s also built around the Chicago River. You might have heard it is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day, but summer is best for enjoying it by tour boat, water taxi or just by strolling its river walk.

The city is well known for its outstanding restaurants. Two of them, Alinea and Grace, have earned three stars from the prestigious Michelin Guide and three other restaurants have two stars. And though star-less, local favorites -- Italian beef sandwiches and deep dish pizza -- have been creating their own kind of fame for decades.

With incredible shopping on the Magnificent Mile, its famed Theater District and one of the country’s most active nightlife scenes, this city is always buzzing. Chicago also boasts more than 40 museums and five regional Tony Award-winning theaters.

You can find out more about visiting Chicago at ChooseChicago.com.

Chicago holds the all-time attendance record for the Vascular Annual Meeting. Mark your calendar now to experience more of this great city and be part of the world’s premier educational event in vascular surgery.

You will be visiting at a great time. The weather is fabulous (average high, 80 degrees) and the festivals and parties are non-stop. The White Sox are playing and there are free concerts in nearby Grant Park. You could stick around that weekend for the Taste of Randolph Street, Ale Fest, the Puerto Rican Festival and Parade, the Italian Block Party, the Gold Coast Art Fair, Pride Fest – and more. See events12.com/Chicago/June.

Not only is the city built along the lake, it’s also built around the Chicago River. You might have heard it is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day, but summer is best for enjoying it by tour boat, water taxi or just by strolling its river walk.

The city is well known for its outstanding restaurants. Two of them, Alinea and Grace, have earned three stars from the prestigious Michelin Guide and three other restaurants have two stars. And though star-less, local favorites -- Italian beef sandwiches and deep dish pizza -- have been creating their own kind of fame for decades.

With incredible shopping on the Magnificent Mile, its famed Theater District and one of the country’s most active nightlife scenes, this city is always buzzing. Chicago also boasts more than 40 museums and five regional Tony Award-winning theaters.

You can find out more about visiting Chicago at ChooseChicago.com.

Chicago holds the all-time attendance record for the Vascular Annual Meeting. Mark your calendar now to experience more of this great city and be part of the world’s premier educational event in vascular surgery.

You will be visiting at a great time. The weather is fabulous (average high, 80 degrees) and the festivals and parties are non-stop. The White Sox are playing and there are free concerts in nearby Grant Park. You could stick around that weekend for the Taste of Randolph Street, Ale Fest, the Puerto Rican Festival and Parade, the Italian Block Party, the Gold Coast Art Fair, Pride Fest – and more. See events12.com/Chicago/June.

Not only is the city built along the lake, it’s also built around the Chicago River. You might have heard it is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day, but summer is best for enjoying it by tour boat, water taxi or just by strolling its river walk.

The city is well known for its outstanding restaurants. Two of them, Alinea and Grace, have earned three stars from the prestigious Michelin Guide and three other restaurants have two stars. And though star-less, local favorites -- Italian beef sandwiches and deep dish pizza -- have been creating their own kind of fame for decades.

With incredible shopping on the Magnificent Mile, its famed Theater District and one of the country’s most active nightlife scenes, this city is always buzzing. Chicago also boasts more than 40 museums and five regional Tony Award-winning theaters.

You can find out more about visiting Chicago at ChooseChicago.com.

Chicago holds the all-time attendance record for the Vascular Annual Meeting. Mark your calendar now to experience more of this great city and be part of the world’s premier educational event in vascular surgery.