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Corner Stitch: Becoming a community-engaged vascular surgeon
At the end of my intern year, I was tired. It had been a long year of rounding, placing orders, seeing consults and refining basic suturing skills on primarily general surgery rotations—an experience not dissimilar from many of my fellow…
Senate scrutiny of HHS nominees poses key moment for vascular surgery advocacy
When it comes to a presidential administration’s impact on our healthcare system, personnel is policy. So, a presidential transition is always a critical juncture for the direction of our federal government’s healthcare policy. That is especially the case for a…
The torrid number of hospital mergers and integrations do not create value for our healthcare system
It is now common to see headlines like “When hospital prices go up, local economies take a hit” (Wall Street Journal), “Hidden hospital prices harm patients: Can this new pricing tool make a difference?”(USA Today) or “Hospital mergers and health…
Reflections from VESS: Internal mentoring, external inspiration and really good skiing
Just over a week ago, I was racing my medical school vascular surgery attending, Dr. Adam Doyle, down a Breckenridge run memorably named “The Devil’s Crotch.” We were celebrating fresh powder, the conclusion of an excellent fellows program, and the…
In focus: Outpatient vascular practice
This month, Vascular Specialist launches its newest column, The Outpatient, which seeks to cover issues near and dear to the hearts of vascular surgeons practicing in outpatient settings such as office-based labs (OBLs) and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Here, in…
Government Grand Rounds: What happens next? The importance of the lame duck session for vascular surgeons
Post election and with the end of the year on the horizon, a crucial but often overlooked period in the legislative calendar begins: the lame duck congressional session. This period, which occurs between the November elections and the start of…
Corner Stitch: How to make the most of your research year(s)—personal growth edition
I’m sure research residents everywhere have heard their fair share of unsolicited advice on this topic. But among all the voices advising me on “how to be productive” or “how to make the most impact on the vascular world,” I…
The clash between mission and revenue for not-for-profit, tax-exempt hospitals
Hospitals represent one of the largest industries in the U.S., with revenues greater than $1.4 trillion. The American Hospital Association reports that there are 5,200 nonfederal, short-term general, and other special hospitals in the country, of which 3,000 are non-for-profits…
Invisible ties: The unique journey that landed one medical student on vascular surgery rotation
In the latest Corner Stitch column, medical student Bailey Richardson recounts the deeply personal life events that led to her unique journey into vascular surgery. Despite requesting transplant for my third-year surgery rotation as a medical student, I got placed…
Government Grand Rounds: A call to action for the 119th Congress
A foundational element for effective advocacy is understanding the profound impact that legislative decisions have on the practice of medicine and the health of our patients. The retirement announcements of several key members of Congress from the “Doc Caucus” present…