ACP Continues to Advance Venous Education at 30th Annual Congress
The AVLS celebrated three decades at the forefront of venous related education with the recently held Annual Congress, November 3-6, 2016 at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA.
This past November, the American Vein & Lymphatic Society (AVLS) hosted what has become the largest and most comprehensive meeting dedicated to venous and lymphatic disorders in the U.S. Under the direction of Program Co-Chairs Carl Black, MD and Kathleen Gibson, MD, the scientific program set the standard with innovative and engaging content, respected faculty from around the world and opportunities for all levels of skill and knowledge.
In addition, LE&RN spokesperson and Academy Award-Winning actress Kathy Bates addressed the conference on the “Human Cost of Lymphedema.” The impassioned talk provided a patient perspective on surviving and managing lymphedema after Bates had breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy.
The meeting remains the largest of its kind in the nation, drawing nearly 1,200 total attendees, including registrants, more than 100 faculty and 67 exhibiting companies and organizations.
Program highlights included: luminary lectures given by leaders in vascular surgery, interventional radiology, and vascular medicine; hands-on workshops and small group lectures in non-thermal ablation, sclerotherapy, compression, and superficial venous imaging; in-depth sessions on lipedema, thrombophilia and unusual vascular disorders; and a “World of Phlebology” debate session which pitted the world’s experts on opposing sides of controversial issues. On Sunday, a comprehensive Practice Management symposium provided attendees with the skills to be more efficient and attract new patients.
Along with the scientific sessions, the Annual Congress also presented sessions to help providers manage insurance challenges, understand the literature in venous disease, deal with ethical challenges and learn about credentialing and accreditation.
Special Events
The Annual Congress curriculum was challenging, but the mild southern California weather provided a relaxing
backdrop for networking and engaging with colleagues.
The 10th Annual ACPF Golf Outing kicked off the event on Wednesday with nearly 60 players, representing clinical vein care and industry, all with the goal of raising money for the ACP Foundation (ACPF).
On Saturday, the Second Annual ACPF Fun Run & Walk saw more than 100 runners participate in a friendly 5k dash around Disneyland.
The Foundation also raised money through the Silent Auction, which was held on-site over the course of the three-day conference. Attendees could bid on more than 100 items, ranging from medical devices and services to vacations to sports memorabilia.
For those not at this historic meeting, the recorded content from all three and a half days will be available on the AVLS’s Online Education Center in December at education.phlebology.org. And, be sure to mark your calendars for the 31st Annual Congress – November 2-5, 2017 at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas.
