While advocacy consistently maintains a top spot among the list of priorities for SVS members, there remains a degree of uncertainty among many in the vascular surgery community regarding how to actively support SVS advocacy-related programs, the spectrum of available activities, and methods for measuring success throughout the process.
In response to this need, the SVS advocacy team introduced a new column dedicated to shedding light on the actions of Congress and regulatory agencies and their direct implications on vascular surgery. The Government Grand Rounds series was designed to address these uncertainties, aiming to propel the SVS towards its objective of fostering a robust culture of engagement across the entirety of our SVS membership.
Through the series, the emphasis was placed on highlighting the significance of the various tools we can utilize across our advocacy efforts. Looking back at that advocacy toolkit, we see the importance of advocacy from a multitude of perspectives.
Protect: Advocacy in vascular surgery aims to protect patient access to necessary procedures.
Engage: Engaging with the full range of healthcare policymakers and professionals is pivotal in advocating for vascular surgery.
Educate: Vascular surgery advocacy focuses on educating decision makers about the importance of the vascular surgical specialty.
Serve: Advocacy in vascular surgery is about serving the community by ensuring access to quality care and resources for vascular health.
Advance: Advocacy initiatives in vascular surgery strive to advance and enhance patient outcomes and overall vascular care.
Reform: Advocates in vascular surgery work to reform healthcare policies to ensure equitable access to vascular treatments and procedures.
Promote: Vascular surgery advocacy seeks to promote awareness of the vascular specialty.
Amplify: Advocacy in vascular surgery amplifies the voices of medical professionals and patients, advocating for better resources and understanding.
Build: Vascular surgery advocacy aims to build collaborative networks among medical practitioners to improve standards and innovation in the field.
Change: Advocacy efforts in vascular surgery are committed to driving systemic changes that improve patient care, treatment options and overall vascular health outcomes.
Government Grand Rounds will continue into next year, to serve as a vehicle to drive the SVS towards its primary goal: cultivating that vibrant culture of engagement throughout its extensive membership. This strategic initiative aimed to not only resolve doubts but to galvanize participation, uniting members under a common cause of advancing vascular surgery.
For more information about how the SVS advocacy programs help protect vascular surgeons and the patients you serve, visit vascular.org/advocacy.
Andrew Kenney is a member of the SVS advocacy staff.
