It is not breaking news that over the past 31 years the ACP Annual Congress has grown to be the largest and most comprehensive meeting dedicated to venous and lymphatic disorders in the US. While there is a lot of competition these days, no other meeting comes close to the quantity of topics covered or quality of distinguished experts representing vein care from around the world.
What is news is that the Annual Congress is changing. The ACP has been at the forefront of change for more than three decades, and the 2017 Annual Congress Program Committee, under the direction of Chair Armen Roupenian, MD, FACS, FACPh, RPhS, RVT, RPVI, is presenting a new and innovative program that will truly distinguish it from its competition.
“As the organization and larger venous and lymphatic medical community continue to grow, the Annual Congress needs to grow with them,” stated Roupenian. “We wanted to expand the topics covered, types of learning and overall depth of the program with an eye to the future of the specialty.”
Subtle changes affect the goals set out by Roupenian and the Program Committee. Traditionally it has been a three-day conference, but this year the Annual Congress will incorporate the pre-Congress day and Sunday Practice Management Symposium to create a full four-day program designed to not only improve patient care, but also teach valuable practice management skills.
“Most of our members aren’t allowed to just be clinicians. They’re asked to be managers, marketers, and billing experts. All the while, costs are growing, and reimbursements are shrinking,” notes Roupenian. “We want to equip attendees with the skills they need to be able to focus on their passion for helping patients.”
To address these skills, a completely redesigned Practice Management Symposium on Sunday will focus on process improvement, billing best practices, marketing and techniques that make a practice more efficient.
Not-so-subtle changes to the program include emerging treatments and topics not typically covered outside of highly specialized one or two-day symposia. The exclusive, hands-on Pelvic Ultrasound Workshop will give participants a highly individualized interaction with expert clinicians and sonographers in pelvic derived venous insufficiency. The 1:3 proctor-to-student ratio provides a unique opportunity to build knowledge and practice skills in a small group setting with immediate feedback.
Interactivity is at the core of the program, which has been designed to afford face-to-face interaction with the best and brightest in venous and lymphatic care today. Outside of the daily educational sessions, a number of social activities are planned, allowing for participants to make connections with respected practitioners in a relaxed, congenial atmosphere.
In addition to receptions, lunches and a Texassized after-party, attendees have an opportunity to get out of the conference space with two events organized by the ACP Foundation—the Golf Outing and 5K Fun Run & Walk.
Now in its 11th year, the ACPF Golf Outing allows duffers and scratch golfers alike a day on the links with ACP board members and industry partners. The 5K Fun Run & Walk will provide early risers an opportunity to see the sunrise on Lady Bird Lake while getting some exercise, and all for a good cause.
After more than three decades, the ACP continues to define education for the venous and lymphatic community. The ACP Annual Congress will provide attendees at all levels of skill with the tools needed to improve their practice and patient care.
View the exciting new changes and latest content, and register for the 2017 ACP Annual Congress.
