President's Address
I'm excited to serve as the 2011-12 President of the Peripheral Vascular Surgical Society (PVSS) now entering its 37th year. The PVSS remains dedicated to involving young vascular surgeons in the early stages of their careers through education, scholarship, advocacy and leadership. What does this mean for those participating? During my 10 plus years of involvement in the PVSS, I have witnessed a monumental growth of the society, expanding interest and involvement of young members, improved quality of clinical presentations and publications generated from biannual meetings, and a maturation and broadening of the leadership's vision for the society. If I could sum up what the PVSS represents I would choose ‘OPPORTUNITY'. This society afforded me the opportunity to present papers at numerous Winter and Spring meetings and engage in clinical discussion with peers in an unassuming, collegial environment. I have published multiple manuscripts in the Annals of Vascular Surgery, Journal of Vascular Surgery and Vascular and Endovascular Surgery that were presented at PVSS meetings. I have had the opportunity to meet and share clinical, professional and personal experiences with younger vascular colleagues many of whom have become friends through our PVSS associations. The always ‘healthy' relationship between our industry partners and the PVSS have enabled fruitful collaboration for clinical and basic research, further device and drug development and support of student / resident / fellow learning efforts and early career academic scholarship. My interactions and cultivated friendships with PVSS leaders have allowed me the opportunity to serve in a leadership capacity as well.
Immediate past-President Marc Passman is responsible for orchestrating the recent expanded administrative restructuring of the society that will allow future members better opportunity to participate in PVSS efforts at multiple levels. Younger vascular surgeon issues will be further addressed in newly expanded committee structures. Our collaborations with the Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS) have increased as well due to their recognition of our dedication to young vascular surgeons and their accomplishments. Our PVSS impact continues to grow.
This year brings two great biannual meetings. The 22nd Annual PVSS Winter meeting will return to Vail, Colorado on January 27-29, 2012 and promises to deliver stimulating scientific sessions, a newly designed resident/fellow vascular symposium, and a fantastic environment for clinical discussion, industry interaction, and family fun. Manuscript submission in Annals of Vascular Surgery continues for Winter meeting papers and is facilitated through our expanded relationship with the prominent journal. The 37th Annual Spring meeting will be held in conjunction with the SVS Vascular Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, June 6-9, 2012. Based on the high quality of our PVSS abstract contributors, we anticipate further joint SVS/PVSS program committee partnership to formulate a strong scientific program with expected Journal of Vascular Surgery manuscript submission.
For those of you who have not joined the PVSS, you are missing out on great potential opportunities. I look forward to the upcoming year, encourage new membership and collegiality, and hope to see you at our Winter and Spring meetings. Let's get started...
Martin R Back, MD, your PVSS President