by Sherry Knecht

The 11th Annual Innovations & Controversies in Complex Vascular Interventions & Wound Management, offered by NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia’s Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, was held May 9–11, 2013 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

This comprehensive course covered three main areas of vascular disease: arterial disease, venous disease, and wound care. The program was directed by James F. McKinsey, MD, FACS, Section Chief, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Interventions, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

With more than 100 sessions in arterial disease, venous disease, and wound care, this course offered the opportunity for participants to learn the latest within their immediate specialties as well as gain exposure to aspects of care beyond their areas of expertise. Attendees earned up to 14 AMA PRA Category 1 credits.

According to Steve Elias, MD, FACS, Director of the Vascular Surgery Vein Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University Medical Center and co-moderator of the venous disease sessions, this annual conference offers a unique opportunity for all practitioners who manage wounds, arterial disease, and vein problems to come together under one roof. “This allows for a global educational experience. These three areas—arteries, veins and wounds—many times overlap in the patients that we see. It is at this meeting that we try to give everyone from the various specialties an appreciation of the inter-relationship of theses diversified disease states.”

Attendees included specialists from all areas of comprehensive vascular and wound care: vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, general surgeons, interventional cardiologists, vascular interventional radiologists, podiatrists, wound care specialists, visiting nurses/technicians, OR vascular nurses, fellows-in-training, vascular laboratory technicians, and radiologic technologists.

Faculty included nationally recognized leaders and vascular experts from around the world. Program codirectors included:

Oscar Alvarez, PhD
Danielle Bajakian, MD
Tzvi Bar-David, DPM
Michael Silane, MD

To view this year’s presentations or to learn about next
year’s conference, please visit www.columbiasurgery.org