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SVS Foundation donors turn opportunity into lifelong impact
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Foundation is marking a milestone in this year’s Celebration of Science year-end giving campaign, as former awardees have now contributed amounts exceeding the support they once received. Julie A. Freischlag, MD, exemplifies this spirit…
Anton Sidawy becomes president of American College of Surgeons
Former Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) President Anton N. Sidawy, MD, FACS, DFSVS, became the 106th president of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) at the ACS Clinical Congress 2025 in Chicago earlier this month (Oct. 4–7). A professor of…
Unionization for vascular surgeons: Are you ready to join?
Vascular Specialist readers may wonder why I am now raising this topic amid current challenges facing vascular surgery, like governmental concerns, low reimbursement, specialty competition, the involvement of advanced practice providers without direct affiliation with vascular surgeons, and discussions regarding…
Shifting demographics, improved visibility and strides made on Medicare reimbursements
This is the latest monthly update on a few of the critical issues facing the SVS. Changing SVS leadership demographics Over the last several years, the SVS Leadership and Appointments Committee made a determined effort to be more inclusive of…
Gregorio A. Sicard, past SVS president, advocate for Latin American surgeons, celebrated surgical educator, dies aged 81
Gregorio A. Sicard, MD, a transformative figure in vascular surgery and a revered mentor to generations of surgeons, has died. He was 81. Sicard was widely recognized for pioneering contributions to the field, particularly in developing and advocating for endovascular…
Start of PAD Awareness Month heralds joint national effort to prevent amputations
The PAD Pulse Alliance—a coalition of leading medical societies that includes the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) dedicated to improving vascular health—is urging patients, providers and policymakers to act through its Get a Pulse on PAD Campaign as national PAD…
Advancing the SVS mission to provide patients with expert vascular care
During the upcoming year, I plan to provide a monthly summary of critical issues the SVS is facing to keep you better informed. There are more than 100 projects SVS committees, councils and task forces are working on, so I…
SVS Executive Board votes against creating free-standing Vascular Surgery Board
After two years of careful deliberation, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Executive Board (EB) has voted against pursuing the creation of a free-standing Vascular Surgery Board (VSB), opting instead to maintain the current federated board structure under the American…
New SVS president seeks to enhance communication with members, tighten focus on outcomes
With another Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) in the books, that means the flag unfurls on a new presidential year. And that means Philadelphia-based vascular surgeon Keith Calligaro, MD, now leads the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) as president. And Calligaro,…
SVS president calls time on disengagement and disunity: ‘It’s time for a change’
Vascular surgeons should come together to present a unified voice in the world of medicine—it’s time for a change, to recommit, build bridges and find common ground across a fragmented membership, and time for leaders who are willing to engage…