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Home > Press Center > Philips_AVA_Contribution

Contact:
Emily Kalata
Assistant Director, Communications
312.334.2309

The American Vascular Association (AVA) today announced a contribution made by Philips Healthcare in support of its Open the Pathway campaign. Open the Pathway is an initiative of the AVA and the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) that was established to improve vascular health through research and education. AVA is the charitable foundation of the SVS, with the mission to reduce death and disability due to vascular disease through research and education.

“We are very excited to work with an outstanding company like Philips Healthcare,” said William H. Pearce, AVA Chairman. “The continued quest for knowledge is essential to achieve critical advancements in vascular health care and Philips’ grant is an important beginning in helping us find new and safer methods to treat vascular disease, an ever increasing health problem for aging Americans.”

Vascular disease is among the leading causes of death in the United States, yet it is generally asymptomatic until a catastrophic event occurs, such as a stroke or aneurysm rupture. The risk of developing critical vascular problems increases with age and is a major health problem for the Medicare population. By the year 2011, as the first of the estimated 87 million baby boomers reach the age of 65, the demand for vascular health care will grow exponentially.

“With the increase in vascular disease in the United States, Philips is supporting the American Vascular Association to continue advancements in vascular surgery, including less invasive procedures,” said Richard Fabian, vice president, X-ray, North America for Philips Healthcare. “We are committed to working with our industry partners to improve vascular health by providing unique solutions to help surgeons treat more patients with vascular disease.”

AVA, a grant-making resource, generates support for innovative education, basic and clinical research, and progressive initiatives to promote improvements in the vascular surgery specialty. In July 2008, the AVA launched Open the Pathway, a fund raising effort uniting vascular surgeons and corporate partners in generating vital resources for quality education and pioneering research.

For more information about vascular health visit VascularWeb.org and for more information about Philips Healthcare visit http://www.philips.com/healthcare.