The American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM) and the Phlebology Leadership Institute (PLI) are very pleased to announce they have awarded the first Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award to Mark H. Meissner, MD, for his many important contributions to the field in the areas of research and education, and for his visionary leadership and offerings to the specialty. The award is bestowed on an individual who has been a vital contributor to the field of venous and lymphatic medicine, and who has demonstrated lifetime achievement and leadership in research, clinical practice, education and furthering the field via service in key societies and organizations.

Dr. Meissner is that such individual, for not only is he a professor of surgery who specializes in vascular surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine, he has particular clinical and research interests in chronic venous disease, deep venous thrombosis, post thrombotic syndrome, venous ulceration and vascular trauma.

The ABVLM and PLI will officially present the award to Dr. Meissner during the 28th Annual Congress of the American College of Phlebology this November in Phoenix, Arizona. A true leader, Dr. Meissner has dedicated many hours to the advancement of the field. He has had diverse roles in major venous organizations, including being a past president of the American Venous Forum, a member of the board of directors of the American College of Phlebology, a director of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission’s Vein Center division and chairman of the Scientific Committee for the 2013 International Union of Phlebology (UIP) meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Meissner has published and lectured extensively on venous disease, participated in the generation of evidence-based guidelines and served as faculty at numerous medical conferences around the world. Much of Dr. Meissner’s clinical time is spent teaching medical students, residents and fellows about venous disease. He also mentors these groups in venous research projects.

The Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes visionary leadership and contributions to the global understanding, education and practice of venous and lymphatic medicine. “Dr. Meissner has worked tirelessly as a physician, scientist, educator and statesman, and is a world-renowned leader in venous medicine,” said ABVLM President Steven E. Zimmet, MD. “His contributions have had a transformative impact on the field of venous and lymphatic medicine.”