West Coast Vein Forum: A Recipe for Success

The American Venous Forum held their newest program in beautiful Napa, California from April 30 to May 2. The two-day meeting was a resounding success, bringing together top-notch faculty, key industry support and more than 60 physicians and allied health professionals eager to expand their knowledge of the latest in venous disease and treatment techniques and challenges in an intimate setting over the best vino the United States has to offer.

The West Coast Vein Forum was created as a unique educational opportunity in the western states for those with experience in treating venous disease. Rather than a comprehensive overview, the curriculum focused on a variety of topics involving challenges and controversies that face the practicing vein specialist. Each session included experts providing brief lectures on topics in venous treatment followed by extended time of panel discussion and audience participation. One attendee quoted, “The learning format was the best I have ever encountered in the 20 years since I have completed postgraduate training.”

In addition, there were special lectures by leaders in the field to give larger perspectives on venous care. Two demonstration sessions were provided, one on ultrasound imaging and the other on the use of proper bandaging and compression for the venous expert. Furthermore, the program offered attendees the opportunity to receive 15.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits, 10 of which met the requirements for Self-Assessment.

AVF Main Event

The West Coast Vein Forum successfully provided clinicians with a unique educational opportunity beyond a basic introduction to venous disease. Attendees enjoyed state-of-the-art lectures by leaders in venous disease and learned proper ultrasound assessment of patients with venous disease, effective methods to manage ablations in difficult situations, how to recognize and treat pelvic venous disorders and the appropriate timing and use of phlebectomy and sclerotherapy. Faculty engaged attendees in discussions on appropriate performance of cosmetic procedures, how to diagnose and treat venous malformations and how to manage deep and superficial phlebitis, varicose veins in pregnancy, venous ulcers and lymphedema. The faculty also explained practice management solutions for challenges facing the practicing vein specialist.

The timing and venue proved to be ideal for the busy clinician but it was the intimate interaction between faculty and attendees that set the West Coast Vein Forum apart from other vein conferences. And of course, holding the meeting in the Napa Valley provided opportunity for an extended stay to enjoy world-famous wine country. Each evening, receptions were held during which attendees had the opportunity to talk informally with expert faculty and other attendees. Attendees even enjoyed a wine tasting and had the chance to play in a bocce ball tournament.

After the meeting, 92 percent of attendees surveyed said they would attend the course again. The AVF is hopeful to hold the West Coast Vein Forum again next year and is currently exploring potential venues in Napa and other west coast cities.

The West Coast Vein Forum would not be successful without its planning committee, faculty and supporters. The AVF thanks the following for their contributions: Dan Monahan, MD (Committee Chair), John Carson, MD (Committee), Sebastian Conti, MD (Committee), Stephanie Dentoni, MD (Committee), Daniel Link, MD (Committee), Robert Merchant, MD (Committee), William Marston, MD (Committee), Kathleen Gibson, MD (Faculty), Robert Kistner, MD (Faculty), Fedor Lurie, MD, PhD (Faculty), Mark Meissner, MD (Faculty), Nick Morrison, MD (Faculty), Terri Morrison, RN (Faculty), John Ryan, MD (Faculty), and the following companies for their support: AngioDynamics, BTG, BSN Medical, Cook Medical, Cool Touch, Juzo, Medtronic, Sigvaris, Tactile Medical, Vascular Insights and Volcano.

Calling All American Venous Forum Fellows!

The American Venous Forum held yet another well-attended Spring Fellows Course in Venous Disease at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey from May 10-12. Steven Elias, MD, FACS proved to be a gracious host, while organizing excellent accommodations, meals at the Englewood Field Club and an interactive two-day program with other leaders in venous disease including Ellen Dillavou, MD (Fellows Course Director), Haraldur Bjarnason, MD, Lowell Kabnick, MD, Peter Lawrence, MD, Kathleen Ozsvath, MD and Windsor Ting, MD.

The AVF is now highly anticipating the Fall Fellows Course in Venous Disease, to be held in Seattle, Washington at the University of Washington Medical Center and Renaissance Seattle Hotel from December 4-6, 2015.

AVF encourages interested Fellows to sign up for the course and for program directors to share this invaluable experience with their Fellows. After all, it’s free!

Proving to be a stimulating interaction for all time and time again, the AVF Fellows Course gathers approximately 40 fellows from vascular and interventional radiology programs along with a faculty consisting of experts in the field of venous disease and representatives from sponsoring companies. Participation is limited to fellows enrolled in programs located in the United States. After successfully completing the course, fellows are eligible to receive a one-year complimentary membership to the AVF.

The Fellows Course is funded through a Grant Program that covers registration and travel expenses for attendees. To be eligible for the grant, all participants are required to attend the entire course. Each Fellow will receive two nights of lodging at the designated hotel, transportation to and from the airport, and food and beverage supplied during the course. AVF will also reimburse travel expenses up to a total of $550.

The AVF thanks its supporters for the 2015 Fellows Courses: AngioDynamics, BTG, Cook Medical, Juzo, Medtronic, Sigvaris, Vascular Insights and Volcano.

AVF Vein Forum Registration Open

Registration is now open for the AVF’s Vein Forum: Comprehensive Venous Management for the Practicing Clinician! The Vein Forum will be held in Washington, DC from October 16-17 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. AMA PRA Category 1 Credits will be offered as well as Self-Assessment credits.

The Vein Forum is structured for the practicing venous specialist, whereby key topics included in the preliminary course schedule will be discussed by experts in venous disease and importantly with the emphasis of clinical relevance to daily practice. There will be panel discussions so the participants can ask questions as it pertains to the topics discussed and how it would help them in their clinical practice. The course will also include live ultrasound imaging of patients with a variety of venous disorders, with audience participation and ample opportunity for discussion.

New in 2015, the Vein Forum program will feature dual tracks to tailor each participant’s learning experience. The program will include basic and advanced tracks, with hands-on workshops in each track.

The Basic Track will consist of four workshops on October 16 focusing on endovenous ablation methods, hands-on ultrasound, wound care/compression and sclerotherapy as well as sessions on October 17 focusing on practice management, financial implications of setting up a practice, staffing, IAC accreditation, and marketing/social media.

The Advanced Track will consist of intimate sessions on October 16 focusing on tough cases and meeting the faculty of the program as well as three workshops on October 17 focusing on IVC filters, pharmaco-mechanical thrombolysis/angioplasty and stenting/IVUS, and pelvic venous embolization and sclerotherapy.