A new documentary, “Vein Health: Discoveries, New Technologies and Breakthroughs,” has been produced through a partnership with the American College of Phlebology and KAET-TV, the Phoenix PBS affiliate. The documentary ran in the Phoenix market March 13, 2012, and is slated to air on PBS stations nationally later this year.
Nearly one year ago, the American College of Phlebology (ACP) was approached by Public Broadcasting (PBS) station KAET -TV to produce a comprehensive public awareness documentary about phlebology and vein health. The conversation sprang from the overwhelming success of a call-in panel special just a few months earlier about vein health entitled, “Ask a Vein Care Expert.” The special quickly became one of KAET -TV ’s most successful programs in their “Ask an Expert” series and highlighted a desire from the public to learn more about the topic.
“The response to ‘Ask a Vein Care Expert’ was amazing,” noted producer Richard Taylor. “There were so many callers, we took questions for almost two hours during and after the show.”
In early March, KAET -TV broadcasted the latest documentary, “Vein Health: Discoveries, New Technologies and Breakthroughs,” which aired as part of their spring pledge drive.
“We were very pleased with the feedback and have no doubt this special will resonate with a national audience,” said Taylor.
Hosted by Dr. Helane Fronek, a physician of thirty years and leading specialist in the field of phlebology, “Vein Health: Discoveries, New Technologies and Breakthroughs” walks the audience through the basics of how the venous system works, what happens when veins break down and the various treatment options. Dr. Fronek also moderated a panel of distinguished vein care experts from across the country: Drs. Stephanie Dentoni, Lowell Kabnick, Nick Morrison, Melvin Rosenblatt, and Steve Zimmet. The nearly 100 participants in the live studio audience asked many interesting questions of the doctors, ranging from such topics as pregnancy and varicose veins to the latest noninvasive treatment techniques.
“Helane, as well as the panelists really make the information accessible and engaging for the audience,” said Diana Neuhardt, chair of the ACP Public Education Committee. “Their passion for phlebology and genuine concern that people understand the issues relating to vein disease is evident throughout the documentary.” Neuhardt added, “We are also very grateful to the ACP Foundation for funding this important project.”
While PBS approached the ACP with the concept, production was funded by a generous grant from the American College of Phlebology Foundation (ACPF). The ACPF funds projects such as this as part of its mission to improve scientific knowledge, public awareness and patient outcomes related to venous disease.
