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VAM Registration, Housing Now Open
Registration and housing for the 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting are now open. VAM will be held May 31-June 3 in San Diego, with plenaries and exhibits open June 1-3. Register here and make housing reservations here. Already, more than 150 people have registered; look who’s coming here.
Registration and housing for the 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting are now open. VAM will be held May 31-June 3 in San Diego, with plenaries and exhibits open June 1-3. Register here and make housing reservations here. Already, more than 150 people have registered; look who’s coming here.
Registration and housing for the 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting are now open. VAM will be held May 31-June 3 in San Diego, with plenaries and exhibits open June 1-3. Register here and make housing reservations here. Already, more than 150 people have registered; look who’s coming here.
Plan to attend CHEST 2017 in Toronto
Oct 28 – Nov 1
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Join us in wonderful Toronto for CHEST 2017, where we’ll connect a global community in clinical chest medicine. Our program will deliver current pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine topics presented by world-renowned faculty in a variety of innovative instruction formats. Take advantage of these opportunities to get involved now:
Submit Abstracts and Case Reports
Submission deadline: March 31
- Fellow Case Reports.
- Medical Student/Resident Case Reports.
- Global Case Reports.
- Clinical Case Puzzlers.
Learn more and submit at chest2017.abstractcentral.com.
Apply for 2017 CHEST Foundation Grants
Application deadline: March 31
The CHEST Foundation has started accepting applications for its clinical research, distinguished scholar, and community service grants. Every year, the CHEST Foundation awards more than a half-million dollars to the next generation of lung health champions.
The grants available are:
- GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Scholar Research Grant in Respiratory Health: $150,000 over 3 years
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Lung Cancer: $50,000-$100,000* over 2 years
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: $25,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation and Alpha-1 Foundation Research Grant in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: $25,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: $10,000-$30,000* 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Venous Thromboembolism: $30,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Fibrosis: $30,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: $50,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Women’s Lung Health: $10,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Asthma: $15,000 - $30,000* 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Cystic Fibrosis: $30,000 1-year grant
- Community Service Grant Honoring D. Robert McCaffree, MD, Master FCCP: multiple awards up to $15,000 per 1-year grant
*Amount contingent on funding.Apply for grants at chestfoundation.org/grants.
Oct 28 – Nov 1
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Join us in wonderful Toronto for CHEST 2017, where we’ll connect a global community in clinical chest medicine. Our program will deliver current pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine topics presented by world-renowned faculty in a variety of innovative instruction formats. Take advantage of these opportunities to get involved now:
Submit Abstracts and Case Reports
Submission deadline: March 31
- Fellow Case Reports.
- Medical Student/Resident Case Reports.
- Global Case Reports.
- Clinical Case Puzzlers.
Learn more and submit at chest2017.abstractcentral.com.
Apply for 2017 CHEST Foundation Grants
Application deadline: March 31
The CHEST Foundation has started accepting applications for its clinical research, distinguished scholar, and community service grants. Every year, the CHEST Foundation awards more than a half-million dollars to the next generation of lung health champions.
The grants available are:
- GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Scholar Research Grant in Respiratory Health: $150,000 over 3 years
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Lung Cancer: $50,000-$100,000* over 2 years
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: $25,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation and Alpha-1 Foundation Research Grant in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: $25,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: $10,000-$30,000* 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Venous Thromboembolism: $30,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Fibrosis: $30,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: $50,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Women’s Lung Health: $10,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Asthma: $15,000 - $30,000* 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Cystic Fibrosis: $30,000 1-year grant
- Community Service Grant Honoring D. Robert McCaffree, MD, Master FCCP: multiple awards up to $15,000 per 1-year grant
*Amount contingent on funding.Apply for grants at chestfoundation.org/grants.
Oct 28 – Nov 1
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Join us in wonderful Toronto for CHEST 2017, where we’ll connect a global community in clinical chest medicine. Our program will deliver current pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine topics presented by world-renowned faculty in a variety of innovative instruction formats. Take advantage of these opportunities to get involved now:
Submit Abstracts and Case Reports
Submission deadline: March 31
- Fellow Case Reports.
- Medical Student/Resident Case Reports.
- Global Case Reports.
- Clinical Case Puzzlers.
Learn more and submit at chest2017.abstractcentral.com.
Apply for 2017 CHEST Foundation Grants
Application deadline: March 31
The CHEST Foundation has started accepting applications for its clinical research, distinguished scholar, and community service grants. Every year, the CHEST Foundation awards more than a half-million dollars to the next generation of lung health champions.
The grants available are:
- GlaxoSmithKline Distinguished Scholar Research Grant in Respiratory Health: $150,000 over 3 years
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Lung Cancer: $50,000-$100,000* over 2 years
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: $25,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation and Alpha-1 Foundation Research Grant in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: $25,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: $10,000-$30,000* 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Venous Thromboembolism: $30,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Fibrosis: $30,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: $50,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Women’s Lung Health: $10,000 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Asthma: $15,000 - $30,000* 1-year grant
- CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Cystic Fibrosis: $30,000 1-year grant
- Community Service Grant Honoring D. Robert McCaffree, MD, Master FCCP: multiple awards up to $15,000 per 1-year grant
*Amount contingent on funding.Apply for grants at chestfoundation.org/grants.
Household air pollution: Foundation grantee champions lung health
In 2016, Catherine Oberg, MD, was awarded the CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Women’s Lung Health for her project on household air pollution in Ghana. In this recent interview with Dr. Oberg, she describes how she is championing lung health.
How I got involved
In medical school, I was very interested in international medicine and took a trip to Tanzania to do primary care work when I was in my fourth year. I saw firsthand how the people, women especially, sleep, cook, eat, and take care of their children and animals all in one house. I saw how direct smoke exposure from cooking caused symptoms of cough, phlegm, and shortness of breath. I knew this was an area where I could make an impact.
Fortunately, I learned about CHEST Foundation grants through my mentor, Alison Lee, MD, who was a CHEST Foundation grant recipient early in her career. With the help of the grant, I was able to furnish my own supplies, get everything to Ghana, train native health-care providers, and start doing assessments. I received the CHEST Foundation grant at the perfect time. I am so appreciative and honored to be a CHEST Foundation grant recipient. It’s such a humbling experience to be able to act on these things that I’ve been looking into for so many months. I’m just excited and thankful, and can’t wait to see what we’re able to show.
Tackling a leading cause of lung disease
In rural areas around the world, people cook with ineffective fuels, such as animal dung, that cause damaging household air pollution. This is a leading cause of asthma, COPD, and lung cancer worldwide, and it preferentially affects women and children because of their roles in the household. My project focuses on household air pollution with a goal to measure the effectiveness of utilizing a clean burning stove as an intervention.
We have a cohort of women in Ghana and have had randomized clusters using either a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) clean burning stove or a traditional cook stove for 18 months now. We’re going to look at their lung function, inflammatory markers, and respiratory symptoms and compare the groups to see if the intervention has made a difference.
The impact
Being able to breathe is a function many of us take for granted. The ability to impact something this vital to everyday life is a really exciting and important challenge. It’s an area where I think we can make a big impact.
The future
This project could bring about further research and hopefully provide evidence supporting these types of interventions. The impact could affect millions of people around the world. The CHEST Foundation grant is providing materials that are the foundation of our project. This grant allows us to design better studies in the future, to educate patients in a more effective manner, and to prevent these life-threatening diseases.
The next CHEST Foundation grants cycle is open from February 1 to March 31, 2017. How will you champion lung health? Learn more about foundation grants and how you can apply at https://chest.realmagnet.land/chest-foundation-grants.
In 2016, Catherine Oberg, MD, was awarded the CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Women’s Lung Health for her project on household air pollution in Ghana. In this recent interview with Dr. Oberg, she describes how she is championing lung health.
How I got involved
In medical school, I was very interested in international medicine and took a trip to Tanzania to do primary care work when I was in my fourth year. I saw firsthand how the people, women especially, sleep, cook, eat, and take care of their children and animals all in one house. I saw how direct smoke exposure from cooking caused symptoms of cough, phlegm, and shortness of breath. I knew this was an area where I could make an impact.
Fortunately, I learned about CHEST Foundation grants through my mentor, Alison Lee, MD, who was a CHEST Foundation grant recipient early in her career. With the help of the grant, I was able to furnish my own supplies, get everything to Ghana, train native health-care providers, and start doing assessments. I received the CHEST Foundation grant at the perfect time. I am so appreciative and honored to be a CHEST Foundation grant recipient. It’s such a humbling experience to be able to act on these things that I’ve been looking into for so many months. I’m just excited and thankful, and can’t wait to see what we’re able to show.
Tackling a leading cause of lung disease
In rural areas around the world, people cook with ineffective fuels, such as animal dung, that cause damaging household air pollution. This is a leading cause of asthma, COPD, and lung cancer worldwide, and it preferentially affects women and children because of their roles in the household. My project focuses on household air pollution with a goal to measure the effectiveness of utilizing a clean burning stove as an intervention.
We have a cohort of women in Ghana and have had randomized clusters using either a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) clean burning stove or a traditional cook stove for 18 months now. We’re going to look at their lung function, inflammatory markers, and respiratory symptoms and compare the groups to see if the intervention has made a difference.
The impact
Being able to breathe is a function many of us take for granted. The ability to impact something this vital to everyday life is a really exciting and important challenge. It’s an area where I think we can make a big impact.
The future
This project could bring about further research and hopefully provide evidence supporting these types of interventions. The impact could affect millions of people around the world. The CHEST Foundation grant is providing materials that are the foundation of our project. This grant allows us to design better studies in the future, to educate patients in a more effective manner, and to prevent these life-threatening diseases.
The next CHEST Foundation grants cycle is open from February 1 to March 31, 2017. How will you champion lung health? Learn more about foundation grants and how you can apply at https://chest.realmagnet.land/chest-foundation-grants.
In 2016, Catherine Oberg, MD, was awarded the CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Women’s Lung Health for her project on household air pollution in Ghana. In this recent interview with Dr. Oberg, she describes how she is championing lung health.
How I got involved
In medical school, I was very interested in international medicine and took a trip to Tanzania to do primary care work when I was in my fourth year. I saw firsthand how the people, women especially, sleep, cook, eat, and take care of their children and animals all in one house. I saw how direct smoke exposure from cooking caused symptoms of cough, phlegm, and shortness of breath. I knew this was an area where I could make an impact.
Fortunately, I learned about CHEST Foundation grants through my mentor, Alison Lee, MD, who was a CHEST Foundation grant recipient early in her career. With the help of the grant, I was able to furnish my own supplies, get everything to Ghana, train native health-care providers, and start doing assessments. I received the CHEST Foundation grant at the perfect time. I am so appreciative and honored to be a CHEST Foundation grant recipient. It’s such a humbling experience to be able to act on these things that I’ve been looking into for so many months. I’m just excited and thankful, and can’t wait to see what we’re able to show.
Tackling a leading cause of lung disease
In rural areas around the world, people cook with ineffective fuels, such as animal dung, that cause damaging household air pollution. This is a leading cause of asthma, COPD, and lung cancer worldwide, and it preferentially affects women and children because of their roles in the household. My project focuses on household air pollution with a goal to measure the effectiveness of utilizing a clean burning stove as an intervention.
We have a cohort of women in Ghana and have had randomized clusters using either a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) clean burning stove or a traditional cook stove for 18 months now. We’re going to look at their lung function, inflammatory markers, and respiratory symptoms and compare the groups to see if the intervention has made a difference.
The impact
Being able to breathe is a function many of us take for granted. The ability to impact something this vital to everyday life is a really exciting and important challenge. It’s an area where I think we can make a big impact.
The future
This project could bring about further research and hopefully provide evidence supporting these types of interventions. The impact could affect millions of people around the world. The CHEST Foundation grant is providing materials that are the foundation of our project. This grant allows us to design better studies in the future, to educate patients in a more effective manner, and to prevent these life-threatening diseases.
The next CHEST Foundation grants cycle is open from February 1 to March 31, 2017. How will you champion lung health? Learn more about foundation grants and how you can apply at https://chest.realmagnet.land/chest-foundation-grants.
Catching up with our CHEST Past Presidents
Where are they now? What have they been up to? CHEST’s Past Presidents each forged the way for the many successes of the American College of Chest Physicians, leading to enhanced patient care around the globe. Their outstanding leadership and vision are evidenced today in many of CHEST’s strategic initiatives. Let’s check in with Dr. Mathers.
President 2008-2009
It was a great honor to be inaugurated as President of the American College of Chest Physicians at the 2008 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. My chosen vocation was community-based private practice, and from my early years in practice, I found the opportunity to interact with the clinically oriented scholars of CHEST invaluable. My wife Susan and I fondly remember activities with staff, others in leadership, and their families. My immediate goals for my presidential year were to ensure the financial security of the College, in light of the evolving restrictions on industry funding, and to raise the profile of telemedicine for the care of patients with chronic conditions and the critically ill. However, that year is probably most remembered for the unanticipated need to formulate a step-down agreement with then-CEO Alvin Lever, who had served the College for the preceding 17 years.
Early in my practice, I became interested in addressing federal policies that interfered with the ability to provide state-of-the-art care to my patient population. My first committee appointment with CHEST was the Government Relations Committee. Our activities were closely coordinated with the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC) and the American Thoracic Society. During my year as Immediate Past President of the College, I was approached by NAMDRC and invited to write their monthly publication, The Washington Watchline. I have continued to enjoy that opportunity, as well as interacting with their membership. When called upon by NAMDRC, I travel to Washington, DC, to meet with Medicare staff to discuss policy issues important in the care of pulmonary patients.
Where are they now? What have they been up to? CHEST’s Past Presidents each forged the way for the many successes of the American College of Chest Physicians, leading to enhanced patient care around the globe. Their outstanding leadership and vision are evidenced today in many of CHEST’s strategic initiatives. Let’s check in with Dr. Mathers.
President 2008-2009
It was a great honor to be inaugurated as President of the American College of Chest Physicians at the 2008 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. My chosen vocation was community-based private practice, and from my early years in practice, I found the opportunity to interact with the clinically oriented scholars of CHEST invaluable. My wife Susan and I fondly remember activities with staff, others in leadership, and their families. My immediate goals for my presidential year were to ensure the financial security of the College, in light of the evolving restrictions on industry funding, and to raise the profile of telemedicine for the care of patients with chronic conditions and the critically ill. However, that year is probably most remembered for the unanticipated need to formulate a step-down agreement with then-CEO Alvin Lever, who had served the College for the preceding 17 years.
Early in my practice, I became interested in addressing federal policies that interfered with the ability to provide state-of-the-art care to my patient population. My first committee appointment with CHEST was the Government Relations Committee. Our activities were closely coordinated with the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC) and the American Thoracic Society. During my year as Immediate Past President of the College, I was approached by NAMDRC and invited to write their monthly publication, The Washington Watchline. I have continued to enjoy that opportunity, as well as interacting with their membership. When called upon by NAMDRC, I travel to Washington, DC, to meet with Medicare staff to discuss policy issues important in the care of pulmonary patients.
Where are they now? What have they been up to? CHEST’s Past Presidents each forged the way for the many successes of the American College of Chest Physicians, leading to enhanced patient care around the globe. Their outstanding leadership and vision are evidenced today in many of CHEST’s strategic initiatives. Let’s check in with Dr. Mathers.
President 2008-2009
It was a great honor to be inaugurated as President of the American College of Chest Physicians at the 2008 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. My chosen vocation was community-based private practice, and from my early years in practice, I found the opportunity to interact with the clinically oriented scholars of CHEST invaluable. My wife Susan and I fondly remember activities with staff, others in leadership, and their families. My immediate goals for my presidential year were to ensure the financial security of the College, in light of the evolving restrictions on industry funding, and to raise the profile of telemedicine for the care of patients with chronic conditions and the critically ill. However, that year is probably most remembered for the unanticipated need to formulate a step-down agreement with then-CEO Alvin Lever, who had served the College for the preceding 17 years.
Early in my practice, I became interested in addressing federal policies that interfered with the ability to provide state-of-the-art care to my patient population. My first committee appointment with CHEST was the Government Relations Committee. Our activities were closely coordinated with the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care (NAMDRC) and the American Thoracic Society. During my year as Immediate Past President of the College, I was approached by NAMDRC and invited to write their monthly publication, The Washington Watchline. I have continued to enjoy that opportunity, as well as interacting with their membership. When called upon by NAMDRC, I travel to Washington, DC, to meet with Medicare staff to discuss policy issues important in the care of pulmonary patients.
This month in CHEST Editor’s picks
G iants Chest Medicine
Paul M. O’Byrne, MBBCh, FCCP. By S.E. Wenzel, MD.
O riginal Research
Prevalence and Localization of Pulmonary Embolism in Unexplained Acute Exacerbations of COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. By F.E. Aleva, MD, et al.
Commentary
The American College of Radiology Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System: Potential Drawbacks and Need for Revision. By H. J. Mehta, MD, et al.
Special Feature
Improving the Management of COPD in Women. By C.R. Jenkins, MD, et al.
G iants Chest Medicine
Paul M. O’Byrne, MBBCh, FCCP. By S.E. Wenzel, MD.
O riginal Research
Prevalence and Localization of Pulmonary Embolism in Unexplained Acute Exacerbations of COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. By F.E. Aleva, MD, et al.
Commentary
The American College of Radiology Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System: Potential Drawbacks and Need for Revision. By H. J. Mehta, MD, et al.
Special Feature
Improving the Management of COPD in Women. By C.R. Jenkins, MD, et al.
G iants Chest Medicine
Paul M. O’Byrne, MBBCh, FCCP. By S.E. Wenzel, MD.
O riginal Research
Prevalence and Localization of Pulmonary Embolism in Unexplained Acute Exacerbations of COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. By F.E. Aleva, MD, et al.
Commentary
The American College of Radiology Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System: Potential Drawbacks and Need for Revision. By H. J. Mehta, MD, et al.
Special Feature
Improving the Management of COPD in Women. By C.R. Jenkins, MD, et al.
President’s report Strategic planning, travel ban, CHEST 2017
Dear Colleagues,
It doesn’t seem possible, but I have just completed the first quarter of my term as your 79th President and recently returned from chairing my first board meeting – a scary experience to be sure. All in all, it went well. We officially offered Steve Welch the position of Executive Vice President, thereby ushering in one of our own to lead the organization. Steve has successfully served as CHEST’s interim EVP/CEO since May 2016, after 22 years of service with this organization, most recently as Senior Vice President of Publications and Digital Content. I am utterly and completely confident in our choice and want you to know he has the full backing of the board, the Past Presidents, and nearly every doctor he has come in contact with.
One of our strategic areas of focus for the past 5 years is how we serve our international members. CHEST is now truly a global organization. Our international membership continues to grow, and that impacts all areas of the College. In 2016, we provided education for more than 4,300 international members through our national meeting and courses provided all around the globe. In addition, the College has, in partnership with Chinese CHEST leadership and ministry of health officials, led the effort to begin the first pulmonary and critical care fellowship training programs in China. This was an amazing undertaking. The first four graduates were introduced and honored at CHEST 2016, and 20 more are scheduled to graduate next year. An additional 25 more fellowship training programs are to start this next year, and the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission recently approved the program as one of only three official fellowship training programs in China. I firmly believe we will look back on this endeavor as one of the greatest accomplishments in our organization’s long and storied history. Countless lives of patients with pulmonary diseases and critical illness are likely to be saved or extended in that country because of this work.
This brings me to CHEST’s position on the travel ban recently imposed and currently on hold in the United States. We, along with 11 other medical societies, sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security underscoring our concern for such a ban, as it could most definitely adversely affect health-care delivery worldwide in ways not previously contemplated. For example, international medical graduates reportedly make up 25% of our physician workforce and provide a disproportionate amount of care to underserved communities. Should we not allow them to come and train here, we could be putting patients in those areas at risk. The ban could result in patients who need specialized health care being denied entrance to the country. We worry that our global physician colleagues will be unable to travel to the United States for educational programs meant to provide them with the tools they need to care for their patients back home. I encourage you to read the full letter if you are interested.
On a brighter note, the program committee is busy planning CHEST 2017, which will be held in Toronto, Oct 28 to Nov 1. Our theme is Team-Based: Patient-Centered. Our advanced practice providers, critical care nurses, and respiratory therapists, among others, will participate in the planning and help shape different aspects of the program. We encourage our physician members to invite a friend, and come and enjoy the meeting. The traditional CHEST program with simulation and interactive, interdisciplinary symposia will be back by popular demand. There will be something in this meeting for everyone. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we are working closely with the American Board of Internal Medicine on Maintenance of Certification (MOC) and getting credit by using CHEST products, such as CHEST SEEK, e-learning modules, and live learning opportunities. In fact, CHEST 2016 made getting MOC points easy. Much of the program this year will qualify for MOC, and I would encourage you to take advantage of it. For those who I have had the pleasure of working with and hearing from this year, I thank you for your comments, welcome all opinions, and hope to hear from any member who has something CHEST-related on their mind.
Gerard A. Silvestri, MD, MS, FCCP
President
Dear Colleagues,
It doesn’t seem possible, but I have just completed the first quarter of my term as your 79th President and recently returned from chairing my first board meeting – a scary experience to be sure. All in all, it went well. We officially offered Steve Welch the position of Executive Vice President, thereby ushering in one of our own to lead the organization. Steve has successfully served as CHEST’s interim EVP/CEO since May 2016, after 22 years of service with this organization, most recently as Senior Vice President of Publications and Digital Content. I am utterly and completely confident in our choice and want you to know he has the full backing of the board, the Past Presidents, and nearly every doctor he has come in contact with.
One of our strategic areas of focus for the past 5 years is how we serve our international members. CHEST is now truly a global organization. Our international membership continues to grow, and that impacts all areas of the College. In 2016, we provided education for more than 4,300 international members through our national meeting and courses provided all around the globe. In addition, the College has, in partnership with Chinese CHEST leadership and ministry of health officials, led the effort to begin the first pulmonary and critical care fellowship training programs in China. This was an amazing undertaking. The first four graduates were introduced and honored at CHEST 2016, and 20 more are scheduled to graduate next year. An additional 25 more fellowship training programs are to start this next year, and the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission recently approved the program as one of only three official fellowship training programs in China. I firmly believe we will look back on this endeavor as one of the greatest accomplishments in our organization’s long and storied history. Countless lives of patients with pulmonary diseases and critical illness are likely to be saved or extended in that country because of this work.
This brings me to CHEST’s position on the travel ban recently imposed and currently on hold in the United States. We, along with 11 other medical societies, sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security underscoring our concern for such a ban, as it could most definitely adversely affect health-care delivery worldwide in ways not previously contemplated. For example, international medical graduates reportedly make up 25% of our physician workforce and provide a disproportionate amount of care to underserved communities. Should we not allow them to come and train here, we could be putting patients in those areas at risk. The ban could result in patients who need specialized health care being denied entrance to the country. We worry that our global physician colleagues will be unable to travel to the United States for educational programs meant to provide them with the tools they need to care for their patients back home. I encourage you to read the full letter if you are interested.
On a brighter note, the program committee is busy planning CHEST 2017, which will be held in Toronto, Oct 28 to Nov 1. Our theme is Team-Based: Patient-Centered. Our advanced practice providers, critical care nurses, and respiratory therapists, among others, will participate in the planning and help shape different aspects of the program. We encourage our physician members to invite a friend, and come and enjoy the meeting. The traditional CHEST program with simulation and interactive, interdisciplinary symposia will be back by popular demand. There will be something in this meeting for everyone. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we are working closely with the American Board of Internal Medicine on Maintenance of Certification (MOC) and getting credit by using CHEST products, such as CHEST SEEK, e-learning modules, and live learning opportunities. In fact, CHEST 2016 made getting MOC points easy. Much of the program this year will qualify for MOC, and I would encourage you to take advantage of it. For those who I have had the pleasure of working with and hearing from this year, I thank you for your comments, welcome all opinions, and hope to hear from any member who has something CHEST-related on their mind.
Gerard A. Silvestri, MD, MS, FCCP
President
Dear Colleagues,
It doesn’t seem possible, but I have just completed the first quarter of my term as your 79th President and recently returned from chairing my first board meeting – a scary experience to be sure. All in all, it went well. We officially offered Steve Welch the position of Executive Vice President, thereby ushering in one of our own to lead the organization. Steve has successfully served as CHEST’s interim EVP/CEO since May 2016, after 22 years of service with this organization, most recently as Senior Vice President of Publications and Digital Content. I am utterly and completely confident in our choice and want you to know he has the full backing of the board, the Past Presidents, and nearly every doctor he has come in contact with.
One of our strategic areas of focus for the past 5 years is how we serve our international members. CHEST is now truly a global organization. Our international membership continues to grow, and that impacts all areas of the College. In 2016, we provided education for more than 4,300 international members through our national meeting and courses provided all around the globe. In addition, the College has, in partnership with Chinese CHEST leadership and ministry of health officials, led the effort to begin the first pulmonary and critical care fellowship training programs in China. This was an amazing undertaking. The first four graduates were introduced and honored at CHEST 2016, and 20 more are scheduled to graduate next year. An additional 25 more fellowship training programs are to start this next year, and the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission recently approved the program as one of only three official fellowship training programs in China. I firmly believe we will look back on this endeavor as one of the greatest accomplishments in our organization’s long and storied history. Countless lives of patients with pulmonary diseases and critical illness are likely to be saved or extended in that country because of this work.
This brings me to CHEST’s position on the travel ban recently imposed and currently on hold in the United States. We, along with 11 other medical societies, sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security underscoring our concern for such a ban, as it could most definitely adversely affect health-care delivery worldwide in ways not previously contemplated. For example, international medical graduates reportedly make up 25% of our physician workforce and provide a disproportionate amount of care to underserved communities. Should we not allow them to come and train here, we could be putting patients in those areas at risk. The ban could result in patients who need specialized health care being denied entrance to the country. We worry that our global physician colleagues will be unable to travel to the United States for educational programs meant to provide them with the tools they need to care for their patients back home. I encourage you to read the full letter if you are interested.
On a brighter note, the program committee is busy planning CHEST 2017, which will be held in Toronto, Oct 28 to Nov 1. Our theme is Team-Based: Patient-Centered. Our advanced practice providers, critical care nurses, and respiratory therapists, among others, will participate in the planning and help shape different aspects of the program. We encourage our physician members to invite a friend, and come and enjoy the meeting. The traditional CHEST program with simulation and interactive, interdisciplinary symposia will be back by popular demand. There will be something in this meeting for everyone. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we are working closely with the American Board of Internal Medicine on Maintenance of Certification (MOC) and getting credit by using CHEST products, such as CHEST SEEK, e-learning modules, and live learning opportunities. In fact, CHEST 2016 made getting MOC points easy. Much of the program this year will qualify for MOC, and I would encourage you to take advantage of it. For those who I have had the pleasure of working with and hearing from this year, I thank you for your comments, welcome all opinions, and hope to hear from any member who has something CHEST-related on their mind.
Gerard A. Silvestri, MD, MS, FCCP
President
Encourage Vascular Nurses, Techs to Attend SVN Convention
For all members who work with vascular nurses: please encourage them to attend the upcoming Society for Vascular Nursing’s 35th Annual Conference in Nashville, Tenn. The education is sure to benefit the entire office.
Be sure to forward information along to any and all vascular nurses and techs in your organization. The convention will be April 4-7 at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel and is geared to vascular nurses, nurse practitioners, vascular techs, cardiovascular nurses and nurses/techs working in cath labs, angio suites or endovascular operating rooms. Read more about the convention here.
For all members who work with vascular nurses: please encourage them to attend the upcoming Society for Vascular Nursing’s 35th Annual Conference in Nashville, Tenn. The education is sure to benefit the entire office.
Be sure to forward information along to any and all vascular nurses and techs in your organization. The convention will be April 4-7 at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel and is geared to vascular nurses, nurse practitioners, vascular techs, cardiovascular nurses and nurses/techs working in cath labs, angio suites or endovascular operating rooms. Read more about the convention here.
For all members who work with vascular nurses: please encourage them to attend the upcoming Society for Vascular Nursing’s 35th Annual Conference in Nashville, Tenn. The education is sure to benefit the entire office.
Be sure to forward information along to any and all vascular nurses and techs in your organization. The convention will be April 4-7 at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel and is geared to vascular nurses, nurse practitioners, vascular techs, cardiovascular nurses and nurses/techs working in cath labs, angio suites or endovascular operating rooms. Read more about the convention here.
VAM Registration, Housing Now Open
Registration and housing for the 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting is now open. VAM will be held May 31-June 3 in San Diego, with plenaries and exhibits open June 1-3. Register here and make housing reservations here.
Registration and housing for the 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting is now open. VAM will be held May 31-June 3 in San Diego, with plenaries and exhibits open June 1-3. Register here and make housing reservations here.
Registration and housing for the 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting is now open. VAM will be held May 31-June 3 in San Diego, with plenaries and exhibits open June 1-3. Register here and make housing reservations here.
SVS Launches Expanded Member Benefits Portfolio
The Society for Vascular Surgery is proud to announce the launch of its very own member affinity program, offering members access to best-in-class products and services coupled with special member discounts.
The portfolio includes a number of insurance, financial and private-practice related products that will assist members in their day-to-day lives. The result: a selection of financial and practice solutions to protect and benefit your families, incomes, practices, offices and staff – even your own slice of cyberspace.
For more information, visit vsweb.org/AffinityProgram or email [email protected].
The Society for Vascular Surgery is proud to announce the launch of its very own member affinity program, offering members access to best-in-class products and services coupled with special member discounts.
The portfolio includes a number of insurance, financial and private-practice related products that will assist members in their day-to-day lives. The result: a selection of financial and practice solutions to protect and benefit your families, incomes, practices, offices and staff – even your own slice of cyberspace.
For more information, visit vsweb.org/AffinityProgram or email [email protected].
The Society for Vascular Surgery is proud to announce the launch of its very own member affinity program, offering members access to best-in-class products and services coupled with special member discounts.
The portfolio includes a number of insurance, financial and private-practice related products that will assist members in their day-to-day lives. The result: a selection of financial and practice solutions to protect and benefit your families, incomes, practices, offices and staff – even your own slice of cyberspace.
For more information, visit vsweb.org/AffinityProgram or email [email protected].
Washington Update: Task Force formed to create APMs
The SVS has begun work on creating an Alternative Payment Model for SVS members to use for reimbursement under the new Quality Payment Program. A task force has been named and an operational plan drawn up, under the supervision of the SVS Executive Committee.
An APM is one of two options physicians have for payments authorized by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, which replaced the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate. The second is the Merit-based Incentive Payment System; both became effective in 2017, with bonuses awarded/penalties imposed in 2019.
APMs need to be created by medical societies and health care organizations because of a lack of existing infrastructure. Presently, there are no APMs for vascular surgery.
The APM Task Force will work toward developing APMs for “the various diseases treated and services provided by SVS members.” An APM will provide members with the resources needed both to be successful and to ensure access to high-quality care for their patients.
In addition, SVS will explore how the Vascular Quality Initiative can be incorporated into the model to meet both the quality performance and practice capability requirements demanded of the models.
Members anticipate it will take 12 to 18 months to develop an APM.
Dr. Yazan Duwayri of the Quality and Performance Measures Committee (QPMC) chairs the APM Development Group. Other members, and the committees on which they serve, are:
QPMC: Robert Larson, MD, Patrick Ryan, MD, and Karen Woo, MD; Government Relations: Matthew Mell, MD, Reagan Quan, MD, and Megan Tracci, MD; Coding: Francesco Aiello, MD, Matthew Sideman, MD, and Robert Zwolak, MD; Clinical Practice: Mark Davies, MD, Natalia Glebova, MD, and Ying Wei Lum, MD; Community Practice: John Adams, MD, Daniel McDevitt, MD, and William Shutze, MD.
The complete operational plan is available at vsweb.org/TBD.
The SVS has begun work on creating an Alternative Payment Model for SVS members to use for reimbursement under the new Quality Payment Program. A task force has been named and an operational plan drawn up, under the supervision of the SVS Executive Committee.
An APM is one of two options physicians have for payments authorized by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, which replaced the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate. The second is the Merit-based Incentive Payment System; both became effective in 2017, with bonuses awarded/penalties imposed in 2019.
APMs need to be created by medical societies and health care organizations because of a lack of existing infrastructure. Presently, there are no APMs for vascular surgery.
The APM Task Force will work toward developing APMs for “the various diseases treated and services provided by SVS members.” An APM will provide members with the resources needed both to be successful and to ensure access to high-quality care for their patients.
In addition, SVS will explore how the Vascular Quality Initiative can be incorporated into the model to meet both the quality performance and practice capability requirements demanded of the models.
Members anticipate it will take 12 to 18 months to develop an APM.
Dr. Yazan Duwayri of the Quality and Performance Measures Committee (QPMC) chairs the APM Development Group. Other members, and the committees on which they serve, are:
QPMC: Robert Larson, MD, Patrick Ryan, MD, and Karen Woo, MD; Government Relations: Matthew Mell, MD, Reagan Quan, MD, and Megan Tracci, MD; Coding: Francesco Aiello, MD, Matthew Sideman, MD, and Robert Zwolak, MD; Clinical Practice: Mark Davies, MD, Natalia Glebova, MD, and Ying Wei Lum, MD; Community Practice: John Adams, MD, Daniel McDevitt, MD, and William Shutze, MD.
The complete operational plan is available at vsweb.org/TBD.
The SVS has begun work on creating an Alternative Payment Model for SVS members to use for reimbursement under the new Quality Payment Program. A task force has been named and an operational plan drawn up, under the supervision of the SVS Executive Committee.
An APM is one of two options physicians have for payments authorized by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, which replaced the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate. The second is the Merit-based Incentive Payment System; both became effective in 2017, with bonuses awarded/penalties imposed in 2019.
APMs need to be created by medical societies and health care organizations because of a lack of existing infrastructure. Presently, there are no APMs for vascular surgery.
The APM Task Force will work toward developing APMs for “the various diseases treated and services provided by SVS members.” An APM will provide members with the resources needed both to be successful and to ensure access to high-quality care for their patients.
In addition, SVS will explore how the Vascular Quality Initiative can be incorporated into the model to meet both the quality performance and practice capability requirements demanded of the models.
Members anticipate it will take 12 to 18 months to develop an APM.
Dr. Yazan Duwayri of the Quality and Performance Measures Committee (QPMC) chairs the APM Development Group. Other members, and the committees on which they serve, are:
QPMC: Robert Larson, MD, Patrick Ryan, MD, and Karen Woo, MD; Government Relations: Matthew Mell, MD, Reagan Quan, MD, and Megan Tracci, MD; Coding: Francesco Aiello, MD, Matthew Sideman, MD, and Robert Zwolak, MD; Clinical Practice: Mark Davies, MD, Natalia Glebova, MD, and Ying Wei Lum, MD; Community Practice: John Adams, MD, Daniel McDevitt, MD, and William Shutze, MD.
The complete operational plan is available at vsweb.org/TBD.