The SVS Foundation hosted its annual gala on June 21 at Chicago’s famous Museum of Science and Industry. This was the first of the Foundation galas to take place offsite from the Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM).
“Operation Golden Key” was an attendee favorite event of the evening. SVS Executive Director Kenneth Slaw, PhD, posed as James Bond, working the Gala floor with members of his security detail (aka other SVS staff members) and visiting attendees who had purchased keys to try and unlock his briefcase. The winner of the game unlocked $500 worth of champagne.
The evening included a touching tribute to the late James S.T. Yao, MD, a former SVS president and giant in vascular surgery who supported the SVS Foundation throughout his career. Yao’s family established the SVS Foundation’s James S.T. Yao Resident Research Award in 2024 and attended the Gala.
The night saw nearly $100,000 raised through donations, ticket sales, and both live and silent auctions.
The top prize of note from the silent auction was the 2025 VAM VIP Package which was won by Mel Sharafuddin, MD. The University of Florida/Brigham and Women’s Hospital Vascular Surgery Fishing Trip Weekend was won by Peter Henke, MD.
