Official: SVS cancels VAM

2313
Toronto

The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has officially pulled the plug on the 2020 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) scheduled to take place in Toronto from June 17–20 amid the continuing surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its place, the SVS will now stage a series of online programs—built from the best science and education that was set to feature in Toronto—over the course of the summer months. Members were being informed of the decision today via a special communique from SVS President Kim Hodgson.

“The health and safety of SVS members and constituents, and the patients for whom they provide care, has been, and remains, our number one concern,” the SVS announcement reads. “Understanding the needs of our members and stakeholders, and supporting them to meet this challenge, is the number one priority of the Society.

“After continuing to monitor the current trajectory and impact of COVID-19 in the U.S. and Canada, as well as the likely aftermath for our members in the months to follow the peak wave, the SVS Executive Board has made the decision that it is impossible to move forward with holding VAM 2020 in Toronto. Therefore, VAM 2020 as a live event is formally canceled.”

The SVS is setting up a process for full registration fee refunds. Alternatively, fees paid can be deferred and applied to VAM 2021, taking place June 2–5 next year in San Diego, California.

“If you wish to apply your payment to 2021, please notify us via email,” the SVS noted. “If we do not hear from you by April 30, you will automatically be refunded to the original method of payment.”

The virtual sessions set to fill the void remain under development, with the SVS set to deliver updates in upcoming issues of the Society’s e-newsletter, Pulse.

“SVS is very excited to announce that the Program Committee and SVS Postgraduate Education Committee have crafted a compelling series of programs built from the best science and education from VAM 2020 and the Society will deliver this to you via interactive online forums over the summer months,” the announcement added.

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