Venous Symposium New York Provides Targeted Hands-On Education in Venous Disease Issues Second Annual Event Hits the Mark with Attendees

by Alexandra Pecharich

Marked by a palpable exuberance and a feeling of camaraderie, the second annual Venous Symposium in New York provided plenty of live demonstrations to back up talks by renowned experts, and an inclusive approach that invited everyone to participate in discussions. The meeting resulted in a friendly sharing of information that significantly boosted attendees’ knowledge. Feedback from physicians supports the great value of the course, which drew attendees from 35 states and 19 countries.

Interactivity at Venous Symposium

Live ultrasound examination of patients with relevant pathology followed most sessions and led to interactive discussion between the attendees and a panel of experts—an excellent meeting feature. “The interaction amongst faculty and attendees was greatly enhanced by the live ultrasound case presentations and discussions,” said Steve Elias, MD, a course co-director. “This meeting highlighted where venous education should be heading.” That vote of confidence speaks directly to the kind of lively exchange that characterized the Venous Symposium.

“The goal was to get everyone involved,” said Antonios P. Gasparis, MD, who directed the course with Nicos Labropoulos, PhD, RVT. “The ultrasound scanning gave all of us a look at what the presenters had just been discussing in their talks. This made the information real and lead to informative discussions. It worked out very well.”

Through the sold out optional evening workshops, participants had the chance to rotate through sessions that
addressed specific questions about important topics such as wound care and compression, as well as ultrasound imaging. In many cases attendees took advantage of a hands-on learning component. “We were pleased that so many doctors appreciated this type of learning,” Dr. Labropoulos said. “Even after a full day of lectures, they were more than willing to spend an additional two hours covering material in the workshops.”

Future Dates for Venous Symposium

On the heels of the successful 2011 meeting, Drs. Gasparis and Labropoulos announced the dates and venue for next year: April 20-21 at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan.

Added Dr. Labropoulos, “The Venous Symposium in New York is growing, but we will always encourage everyone to have a voice during the meeting and to go beyond lectures. Interactivity provides the best way to learn.”

“Save the date now,” Dr. Gasparis said. “We plan to make the third year our best yet.”