On the advent of this year’s Society for Vascular Surgery’s (SVS) Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM), I would like to welcome you to the 2018 annual spring meeting for VESS, which convenes in conjunction with VAM on June 20 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Our Wednesday program looks very diverse and outstanding, covering key topics in aortic and branch aortic, cerebrovascular, lower extremity, venous disease, hemodialysis, physician wellness/burnout, academic issues, and the medical management of vascular disease. Thank you to Matthew Smeds and the rest of the program committee for putting together such an engaging lineup for this year’s spring meeting! I would also encourage you to visit our industry sponsors for this event; exhibits will be available for perusal June 21-22 within the convention center. Finally, we will be cosponsoring an event Thursday, June 21, at 7 p.m. in the Independence West Room of the Sheraton Hotel as a Networking Reception for Women, Diversity, and Young Surgeons. All residents and students are invited to attend this networking reception hosted by SVS and VESS. Thanks also to the SVS for hosting this meeting and for the ongoing collaboration we have enjoyed between our societies!
VESS members and leadership have continued to elevate the practice of vascular surgery and the research that has defined it. The more than 40-year history of this society is well outlined by Dr. Vik Kashyap in J Vasc Surg 2014;60(4):1123-4. VESS remains focused on engaging vascular trainees and vascular surgeons within a framework of collegial academic excellence. We continue to support research through grant funding at both the trainee and young investigator levels, and our presenters at both the spring VESS/VAM and Winter Annual Meetings enjoy a very high acceptance rate for publication of their findings. For more information about VESS, just visit vesurgery.org. The leadership for this society is proud of what it stands for. We are committed to exploring relevant and educational topics in vascular surgery. We hope this year’s spring meeting enhances your understanding and practice of vascular surgery. See you June 20th!
Jon Eliason, MD
VESS President
