COMMENT& ANALYSIS CORNER STITCH Seeking out novel, creative ways to solve unusual problems

Resident/fellow editor, Christopher Audu, MD, looks over the VAM program to pick out his 2023 highlights.

There are many exciting things to look forward to as a student, resident or trainee at VAM 2023. Starting from the very first talk today, by Dr. Sneha Raju—on her groundbreaking work linking endothelial cell communication with vascular disease—to understanding the perceptions of

“Tell it to me straight: What does ‘Advocacy’ mean for SVS.” shared learning environments between vascular and general surgery residents, this year’s meeting is shaping up to have trainees front and center presenting their amazing work with their mentors.

Then Mounir Haurani, MD, will present “If You’re Not at the Table, You’re on the Menu: Why SVS Needs a Culture of Advocacy Engagement,” followed by payment reform with Tracci. Mark Mattos, MD, cochair with Connolly of the SVS PAC Steering Committee will present “Advocacy Ways and Means: The Important of SVS PAC.” Advocacy can include downtime as well!

Personally, the E. Stanley Crawford Forum seems in teresting because it is about recruiting and retaining tal ent in vascular surgery. I’m looking forward to finding more effective ways to alleviate burnout, out reach to high school students, and retaining res idents in the field. With the multiple options and treatment beds shared by vascular and other specialties (some with less oner ous hours of work and a larger shared call pool), the vascular surgery career pathway, as we know, needs solutions to attract, recruit and retain talent for the next decades.

Of course, it goes without saying that the major draw for VAM is to learn more about vascular disease and pathology and novel or creative ways to solve unusual problems. To this end, the video sessions highlighting how masters of the craft perform their operations is always a highlight.

Anyone who has contributed to the SVS Political Action Committee may attend a casual PAC Steering Committee-sponsored reception from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at the Harbor Social Restaurant, located in the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.

For information on any advocacyrelated question, contact advocacy@ vascularsociety.org.

There’s a potpourri of interesting clinical topics in the VESS sessions that I’m looking forward to learning from. What’s even more interesting is that most of the abstracts are being presented by trainees in differing stages of training . I always walk away from here with ideas for transforming my clinical care. There’s so much more to enjoy. Did you know that there are > 200 trainees registered for VAM? Welcome!