In this issue:
- Outpatient centers like OBLs have lately come under heavy scrutiny in light of new evidence highlighting outlier utilization rates. Last month, the practice patterns of vascular surgery’s so-called 1% entered the crosshairs. But there is a much larger story behind the OBL—a “less expensive, easily deployable venue” for providing appropriate care. Four private practice vascular surgeons pen a detailed defense of the outpatient setting (p. 1 and 8–9)
- Development of the SVS Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET) application continues. Vascular Specialist talks to some of the vascular surgeons and SVS members behind making SVS SET a reality in: “SET: There’s an app for that” (p. 1 and 9)
- Earlier this year, the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery (SAVS) became the first entity in the vascular universe to stage a scientific meeting with an in-person element. SAVS leadership figures discuss the experience, declaring the conference a “huge success” (p. 3)
- Julie Ann Freischlag, MD, stands as a singular leader in the world of vascular surgery. In a recent address at SAVS, she provided some lessons in how she goes about her various leadership roles in a way designed to encourage others to follow: ‘Leading when everyone is watching—and when no one knows what to do’ (p. 11)
- A new study presented at SAVS 2021 finds EVAR improves one-year survival in octogenarians with AAAs (p. 15)
- In memoriam: Aspiring vascular surgeon Noor Gul Shah, 29 (p. 17)
