To see the growth in vein health education over the past few years has been exciting for the American College of Phlebology (ACP). Nearly twenty-six years ago, the ACP hosted its first Annual Congress with the goal of improving the standards of medical practitioners and the quality of patient care in the field of phlebology. Despite a number of other players in the field, a quarter of a century later the ACP is still at the forefront of vein-related education, and looking forward to its 26th Annual Congress November 15-18, 2012, at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, FL.

Just as the ACP has been setting the pace all these years, the ACP’s 26th Annual Congress promises to continue to provide vein health practitioners with innovative and engaging content, respected faculty from around the world and opportunities for all levels of skill and knowledge.

The program for the 26th Annual Congress is co-chaired by two accomplished authorities in the field of phlebology, Diana Neuhardt, RVT , RPhS, and Julianne Stoughton, MD , FAC S.

“While we will be offering content and workshops this year that are new and cutting-edge, our over-all approach to the program is to allow for as much interaction with faculty as possible,” stated Neuhardt. “We want attendees to walk away with the tools they need personally to improve the quality of care in their practices.

Building on that interactivity, program highlights include hands-on simulated workshops on ambulatory phlebectomy, duplex ultrasound, sclerotherapy, and compression bandaging. In addition, there will be a dynamic international perspective on duplex hemodynamics with insights from various experts on vein mapping, diagnosis, and treatment planning. The meeting will showcase numerous debates on controversial treatment paradigms, live duplex ultrasound demonstrations of chronic venous insufficiency and pelvic vein disease, high level scientific abstracts, and invited intersocietal symposia.

The co-chairs have also invited two keynote speakers to be featured. One keynote address will be delivered by ultrasound innovator Steve Talbot, RVT . Talbot is a pioneer in the field of ultrasound and renowned for being the first to utilize ultrasound in the diagnosis of venous diagnosis in the limbs. His work over the last thirty years has revolutionized the ultrasound diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and provides the basis for many of the techniques ultrasound technologists use today.

The second keynote address will be delivered by Michael Jaff, DO . A clinical consultant in all aspects of vascular medicine, Jaff is an associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Vascular Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Jaff will bring his unique perspective from vascular medicine to the topic of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT ).

“We saw a need to provide attendees with content that is not only innovative, but inspiring as well,” noted Stoughton. “Both speakers bring a level of expertise and knowledge to the Annual Congress that few other events can offer.”

While the curriculum will challenge attendees, the location will allow relaxed networking. Hosted at the Westin Diplomat, the tropical beach backdrop will provide the perfect setting to gather with colleagues and friends. Several social events are planned including the Dinner & Social, Silent Auction and the AC P Foundation’s 7th Annual Golf Outing, always a fun way to start the Annual Congress.

As the field of phlebology continues to grow, so too does the need for continuing education. The AC P recognized this need 26 years ago and continues to fulfill on its mission of providing original education for an advancing specialty. The 26th Annual Congress will be no exception. Join the ACP November 15-18 in Hollywood, FL, for this important educational forum.