From learning how to make research a career focus to learning what tools are needed to help adapt to the changing world of vascular surgery, the Vascular Annual Meeting has concurrent sessions designed to offer invaluable information for younger surgeons.
“C4: Connections and Conversations for Young to Mid-Level Vascular Surgeon Researchers” will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. “C10: Essential Tools for Young Academic and Private Practice Surgeons” will be held at the other end of VAM, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.
Younger surgeons comprise a large percentage of the SVS membership as well as VAM attendees, said Dr. Grace Wang, chair of the Young Surgeons Committee. “We wanted sessions that are of interest to both private practice and academic surgeons.”
C4: Connections and Conversations
This session is cosponsored by the SVS Research Council, SVS Research and Education Committee, SVS Young Surgeons Committee, and the SVS Clinical and Comparative Effectiveness Research Committee.
“Research” now includes several disparate arenas, each with its own sets of challenges, said Dr. Wang. Accordingly, planners divided the session to include four main research areas. Experts in those fields will provide brief overviews and then facilitate small-group discussions with time allowed for both general and specific questions.
Speakers include Dr. Alan Dardik, “Basic Science and Translational Research;” Dr. Michael S. Conte, “Clinical Research” (including clinical trials); Dr. Philip P. Goodney, “Patient-Centered Research;” and Dr. Marc L. Schermerhorn, for “Database Research.” Dr. Wang will co-moderate the session with Dr. Misty D. Humphries.
Approximately 15 additional SVS member-researchers well-known for one or more of the particular topic areas will serve as small group facilitators. “I believe that this session is broadly applicable for all surgeons,” Dr. Wang said. Ensuring quality outcomes, for example, is a concern for providers at both community and academic hospitals Industry-sponsored trials also span community practice and academic hospitals. For physician-researchers who have not yet decided what specific kind of research appeals to them or what will be the main focus of their career, “this session can help refine their thinking, and allow them to connect with established mentors in that field” she added.
C10: Essential Tools
This session offers a combination of various broad topics that would be of use to both private practice and academic surgeons. Dr. Wang will co-moderate with Dr. Bradley G. Thomas, who is in private practice.
Dr. Russell Samson will advise participants about “Developing a niche and brand to build a loyal referral system,” Dr. Gilbert R. Upchurch will offer suggestions on “Developing a Robust Aortic Aneurysm Practice” and Dr. Julie A. Freischlag will discuss utilizing time management to make the most of each day.
Because a number of vascular procedures can be performed by cardiologists and/or interventional radiologists as well as vascular surgeons, Dr. Frank J. Veith will enlighten the audience on the important topic of ”Managing and Resolving Turf Battles.”
And given the changing health care system and economy, planners turned to Dr. Bhagwan Satiani, who also holds an MBA, to cover the “Top Ten Things to Understand about the Business Side of Medicine.”
An additional topic is returning to school for an advanced degree. Dr. Ruth L. Bush, one of the panelists, received not only her master’s in public health but also a law degree after getting her medical degree, and Dr. Louis Nguyen already had his MBA before he also earned his MPH. “Both obtained degrees after coming on staff, and we thought their viewpoints on advanced training would be valuable,” Dr. Wang said. “It suggests that training does not necessarily end with fellowship.”
Dr. Wang is enthused about these and other VAM sessions – plus other programming, grants, and opportunities for younger members, students, residents, and fellows that the SVS offers throughout the year.
“Our trainees and young surgeons are the future of vascular surgery, and it is exciting to see programming at the VAM that is geared toward them” she said.
