by ACP Staff

From Hollywood to Hollywood – A Universal Perspective on Phlebology

There was no better place to call attention to the bright future of the specialty of phlebology than at the recent 2011 American College of Phlebology Annual Congress in Los Angeles, California, in November 2011.

The American College of Phlebology Foundation (AC PF) recognized that the bright lights of Los Angeles afforded an excellent opportunity to announce the public launch of the Vision for Tomorrow (VFT) capital campaign. The VFT campaign is committed to renewing funding for the AC PF’s mission to invest in education, research, and growth initiatives to advance the specialty of phlebology. As of December 2011, more than three million dollars in commitments had been secured, and the VFT Steering Committee publicly challenged the membership of the American College of Phlebology (AC P) to collectively commit another one million dollars in additional support by December 2012.

Vision for Tomorrow invites anyone with an interest in advancing the specialty of phlebology and the treatment of venous disease to make a financial contribution to the AC PF. All contributions are pooled collectively and spent directly on education, research and growth projects. Funded projects must have the specific intent of advancing the level of patient care through training, professional knowledge or public awareness of venous disease, its treatment, and prevalence. They may also address other identified obstacles to the specialty’s continued growth.

“To have a vision for the future of the specialty is one thing, but to put resources together to pursue that vision with other visionaries is something quite different,” explains Dr. Ted King, Chair of the VFT project. “Working together with others toward the shared goals of this project allows us to develop both resources and consensus around solutions to pressing issues facing the specialty, while impacting those professionals committed to treating venous disease.”

Through the Vision for Tomorrow campaign, AC PF generates funding from supporters for efforts including the research of therapy interests of patients and practitioners and the establishment of disease demographic information within untreated patient populations. The campaign also helps fund the analysis of a host of venous disease issues that medical practitioners continue to seek information on to share with patients.

“The success of VFT, to date, underlines the shared vision, commitment, and partnership of our industry and practitioner supporters who work and live in the phlebology community,” asserts Dr. Nick Morrison, Chair of the AC PF Board of Directors.

While a complete history of funded projects is available on the website, www.phlebologyfoundation. org, AC PF funding has been applied to enhancing a professional identity for those practicing phlebology. The Foundation has funded the start-up efforts of the first formal academic fellowships in phlebology at New York University and the University of California San Diego. In addition, the AC PF has funded the creation of the American Board of Phlebology, which has created the first professional accreditation of phlebology and defined the leading standard for medical professionals working in the field.

“The supporters of the Vision for Tomorrow campaign share a universal perspective that the specialty of phlebology is moving forward every day. In partnership with the American College of Phlebology’s (AC P) 2,000 plus medical professionals, the combination of the College’s manpower and the Foundation’s resources creates a formidable force for change and growth in the specialty,” comments Bruce Sanders, CAE , AC P Executive Director.

Dr. King summarizes, “I look forward to presenting the results of the Vision for Tomorrow campaign to the membership of the AC P at the 2012 Annual Congress and showcasing the coming attractions from AC PF investments made from VFT resources generated in our first year. Anyone with an interest in the specialty and wanting to be a part of the coming celebration in Hollywood, Florida, should get in contact with the AC PF staff in the headquarters or visit our website at www.visionfortomorrow."The supporters of the [VfT] campaign org.”