The Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery (APDVS), in collaboration with the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Women’s Section and the SVS Foundation, will launch the inaugural Robyn Macsata Lectureship at the APDVS Annual Meeting, March 6–7, 2026, in Rosemont, Illinois.
The lectureship, the first named lecture in APDVS history, will be presented annually to honor excellence in education, mentorship and innovation within vascular surgery. Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, executive director and CEO of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and a nationally recognized leader in minimally invasive surgery, will deliver the lecture.
“This initiative is a powerful testament to Robyn’s legacy and the values she championed,” said Anton Sidawy, MD, MPH, DFSVS, past chair of the Department of Surgery at George Washington University and one of Macsata’s closest mentors. “Robyn clearly left an indelible mark not only on the field of vascular surgery but also on the lives of those she trained and worked alongside. She had such a positive outlook on life that my wife used to call her ‘Sunshine.’”
Robyn Ann Macsata, of Torrington, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2021, at the age of 50. To everyone who knew her, Macsata held a deep commitment to education and mentorship that defined her career. After completing her vascular surgery training at Georgetown University/MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Macsata spent 11 years at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where she served as chief of vascular surgery and program director for the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/ Washington Hospital Center vascular surgery residency and fellowship program.
Macsata later became the chief of vascular surgery and associate professor of surgery at George Washington University Hospital, where she worked alongside Sidawy.
“Robyn was my first fellow, so she called herself ‘Number One,’ and she was so proud of that title,” said Sidawy. “During her fellowship with me, her father passed, so she started calling me ‘Papa,’ which was picked up by the rest of the fellows. Robyn was like a daughter to me; so by honoring her memory, you are honoring me as well.”
Macsata’s influence extended far beyond the operating room. A steadfast advocate for women in surgery, she inspired countless physicians to pursue their goals with confidence and integrity. Her mentorship empowered others to find their voice, embrace their strengths, and contribute meaningfully to advancing vascular surgery.
“Robyn was the kind of friend that we all need: loyal, fun and always inclusive, bringing people together,” said Palma Shaw, MD, DFSVS, who trained alongside Macsata. “She was a friend of mine for close to 20 years. We trained at the same time in vascular surgery, and she always made everyone feel welcome.”
The lectureship reinforces the Society’s tradition of recognizing exceptional achievement in vascular surgery, education and research.
“I believe this lectureship represents a defining moment for our organization and the broader vascular surgery community. It will serve as a centerpiece for inspiration, reflection and dialogue; an annual reminder to our membership that education and mentorship are the cornerstones of our specialty. By elevating these values through a named lectureship, we create a lasting platform that celebrates excellence and challenges us to innovate in how we train and support future generations of vascular surgeons,” said Dawn Coleman, MD, DFSVS, the 2026 APDVS president. Coleman hopes that the lectureship becomes a yearly moment at the APDVS meeting where attendees can come together to celebrate Macsata’s ideals and recommit to them.
Turner’s inaugural lecture will set the tone for what organizers envision as a cornerstone of the APDVS meeting. “Choosing Dr. Patricia Turner for the inaugural lecture was intentional; her leadership and advocacy mirror Robyn’s legacy and will inspire all of us to carry that torch forward,” said Coleman.
For those who knew Macsata personally, the creation of this lectureship is both a celebration and a reminder of her enduring impact. “Robyn was a stalwart for vascular surgery and the training of vascular surgeons,” Sidawy said. “It is very fitting for this lecture to be sponsored by the APDVS and the Women’s Section in SVS.”
Christopher J. Abularrage, MD, DFSVS, a mentee and friend, echoed that sentiment. “We spent many hours talking about vascular surgery trainees, different programs and all aspects of vascular surgery. Eventually, our conversations would turn to life in D.C., since we both spent so much time there. She was truly a wonderful person, taken from us much too soon,” he said.
The two spent time together at Washington Hospital Center, where Macsata was a fellow and Abularrage was a general surgery resident interested in vascular surgery. He credits her for taking the time to guide him through the operations. Over the years, they served together on committees within the Eastern Vascular Society (EVS) and the SVS. “She loved vascular surgery and teaching, and I hope that this lectureship in perpetuity brings her verve for the specialty and for teaching new trainees to help recruit them into vascular surgery. That’s what her specialty was: piquing interest in young trainees to go into vascular surgery,” said Abularrage.
“The SVS Women’s Section Steering committee has discussed for several years how best to preserve the memory of Dr. Macsata and celebrate her legacy,” said Audra A. Duncan, MD, chair of the SVS Women’s section. “It is so fitting to be able to finally do this in collaboration with the APDVS, as education was where Robyn really shined. I was honored to have her as a friend and colleague, but also now to have her legacy memorialized. I hope those who knew her can use this lectureship to convey to future generations in the SVS Women’s Section, and the SVS at large, the importance of educating with positivity and inclusion which were Robyn’s strong values.”
