After hours of deliberations, member surveys, and a unanimous vote from the board of directors, the American College of Phlebology has announced its new name: the American Vein and Lymphatic Society (AVLS).

The shift in identity, the society said, was critical to growth expansion. While the College was widely recognized within the field of vein disease, outside it struggled to bridge an awareness gap as the term “phlebology” was less known. This reality became more apparent as it worked to increase bonds with the American Medical Association, as well as public and private payors.

A name change then became the topic of conversation among the College’s board of directors and stakeholders. The group spent several months peeling back the layers on what its current name meant and what elements of a new name would resonate with the public.

The American Vein and Lymphatic Society came from those considerations and now stands as its identification, helping “members and the medical world at large to better understand who we serve and how we will serve them,” said Dr. Marlin Schul, President of the AVLS. “We are a society, a place for venous and lymphatic healthcare professionals to gather, exchange ideas, research and learn from each other.”

With its 30-year mission reinvigorated, AVLS is on track to provide advocacy efforts, research opportunities and education to its nearly 2,000 members. Through exchanging best practices, medical knowledge, and up-to-date treatment options, as well as live and online educational training, health professionals can improve quality care by offering appropriate treatment to both lympathic and venous patients.

“This is a pivotal moment in the identity of our Society,” said Dean J Bender, Executive Director of the AVLS. “We are embracing both venous and lymphatic medicine as well as expanding our influence to include not only education, but also advocacy and research in our field.”

To complete the transition, the American College of Phlebology Foundation will become the Foundation for Venous and Lymphatic Disease, making AVLS the most significant association for physicians and allied health professionals who diagnose and treat venous and lymphatic disorders like varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.