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The Vascular Surgeon Online - December 2004

Vascular Web Relaunch

SVS invites you to visit the new VascularWeb, www.vascularweb.org, which has been redesigned with member needs in mind. Starting from the Health Professionals section of the home page, the information you are looking for is just a click away. Whether you are seeking career opportunities, annual meeting information or the latest SVS government relations update, the new VascularWeb makes it easy to find exactly what you need with dedicated sections and customized navigation bars. Additionally, VascularWeb now features extensive patient information, developed in conjunction with NorthPoint Domain. Authoritative, accurate patient information about vascular diseases is in short supply, making VascularWeb an important resource in this arena. The new VascularWeb also offers expanded clinical information and research content. Currently under development are sections geared to the needs of vascular surgery residents and fellows, SVS corporate partners, and the media. Site highlights and selected medical news items from Reuters Health are updated frequently so you will want to check back often. SVS appreciates the hard work and dedication of Dr. K. Wayne Johnston, editor, VascularWeb, who led the website redevelopment team. We welcome your feedback. Please contact Dr. Johnston, vweb@bellnet.ca, or Karen Thomas, SVS director of communications, kthomas@vascularsociety.org with comments or suggestions about the website.

New 2005 Vascular CPT Codes and Medicare Payments

In 2005, we will see a host of new Category I and Category III CPT vascular codes ranging from standard open surgery to high-tech intervention. CPT codes and national total RVUs are provided in this article.

Read the full article.

SAAAVE bill gathers momentum

At the time of this writing, ten U.S. Senators and more than twenty Representatives are fully committed to helping pass a bill to provide a one- time ultrasound screening benefit for at-risk Medicare beneficiaries to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms. This is a solid start, but a huge amount of work remains to be done. On December 3, the National Aneurysm Alliance members met in Washington to plan strategy for the 109th Congress, which will convene in January.

Read the full article.

Carotid Stenting Activities Update

As reported at the October 2004 SVS Board Meeting, SVS has developed a multifaceted strategy to address emerging issues related to carotid stenting.

Read the full article.

Coding Courses Scheduled in 2005

Managing Coding and Reimbursement Challenges in Vascular Surgery, a one-day program held in conjunction with Karen Zupko & Associates, will be conducted on March 11 in San Diego and September 23 in Atlanta. This program is intended for SVS members and their office staff. It will cover vascular (CCI) edits, interventional procedures, the global surgical package definition, evaluation and management coding, operative note dictations and component coding.

Click here for more information and a meeting registration form.

Research Initiatives Conference Slated

The 2005 Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease Conference will be held April 7-8, 2005 at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel.

Competence Standards Developed

The American College of Cardiology, the American College of Physicians, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, the Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology, and the SVS have developed a new set of competency criteria for physicians who wish to practice vascular medicine and catheter-based peripheral vascular interventions.

Read the full article.

AVA Adopts Strategic Plan

At a strategic planning meeting held on October 10, the American Vascular Association adopted a strategic plan that outlines a comprehensive strategy for achieving its mission of reducing death and disability due to vascular disease. The strategy centers around building on AVA's relationship with SVS and expanding public outreach and research programs. SVS members will receive an executive summary of the strategic plan by mail along with a request for support for AVA's research and educational initiatives. Your support is vital to the future of vascular disease research.

AVA Featured in The Wall Street Journal

The need for vascular disease screening was spotlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article. Featured on page one of the September 24 issue, the article described carotid ultrasound and ankle-brachial index testing as essential for preventing strokes and included profiles of stroke patients. Data from the AVA's screening program were cited. The article, Two Simple Tests Can Prevent Stroke, But Few Get Them, was written by WSJ's Thomas M. Burton, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his previous series on abdominal aortic aneurysms, coauthored with Kevin Helliker.

Read the full article in The Wall Street Journal.

Society Implements Professional Conduct and Ethics Program

SVS has joined a growing number of medical societies in adopting a strong Professional Conduct and Ethics Program. The Program includes a Code of Ethics, Expert Witness Guidelines and a Professional Conduct Committee. It enables members to bring complaints of unprofessional conduct of any nature, including false advertising, unscrupulous business practices, substance abuse or failure to retain qualifications, in addition to fraudulent expert witness testimony. The Society is committed to maintaining and enforcing the highest standards of professionalism among vascular surgeons.

Attention: Vascular Annual Meeting Presenters

All individuals whose papers have been accepted for presentation at plenary sessions at the 2005 Vascular Annual Meeting are required to submit a complete manuscript to the Journal of Vascular Surgery. Previously, manuscript submission was strongly encouraged but not mandatory. Electronic manuscript submission is recommended. Click here for guidelines and information about the manuscript submission process. The deadline for Vascular Annual Meeting abstract submission is January 17.

Distinguished Fellow Applications Encouraged

The Fellows Council requests that SVS members who are not currently Distinguished Fellows and meet the criteria for this designation consider applying for recognition in 2005. SVS members who have distinguished themselves in a sustained manner in one or more of the following areas of accomplishment are encouraged to apply: scholarly or research activities, creative professional activities, excellence in teaching and education and service to the vascular community. Applications are due to the national office by February 1, 2005.

Click here for the Distinguished Fellows Designation Criteria and Application.

Society Welcomes New Staffers

Lisa Alicea is the Society's new conventions and meetings manager. Lisa directs, organizes and manages the logistics for all of the Society's educational programs as well as Board and committee meetings. Lisa comes to us from the American Association for Diabetes Educators (AADE) in Chicago. She has eight years of experience in meeting planning. Lisa can be reached at 312-202- 5607 or lalicea@vascularsociety.org.

Karen Thomas recently joined SVS as director of communications. She is responsible for developing and maintaining communications with all Society audiences, including physicians, medical students and residents, corporate partners, media, prospective donors and patients. Karen has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare communications, most recently at the American Hospital Association's Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development. Contact Karen at 312-334-2308 or kthomas@vascularsociety.org.

ABVS Under New Management

Talley Management Group, Inc. is now providing management services for the American Board of Vascular Surgery. Kent T. Van Amburg now serves as executive director. The current phone number and address will remain in effect until December 31. After that date, contact ABVS at the following address and phone number: American Board of Vascular Surgery, 19 Mantua Road, Mt. Royal, NJ 08061. Phone: 856-423-7222, Fax: 856-423-3420

New Scholarship Available

The American College of Surgeons and SVS are offering an annual scholarship to subsidize attendance and participation in the course, Leadership Program in Health Policy and Management, to be held May 15-20, 2005 at Brandeis University. The award is in the amount of $8,000, to be used toward course tuition, travel, housing and meals. Applications must be received by ACS by February 1.

Calendar

January 14, 2005--Submission deadline, E.J. Wylie Traveling Fellowship
January 17--Abstract deadline, 2005 Vascular Annual Meeting
                     Vascular Annual Meeting Research Forum Sessions
                     Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease Conference
January 17--Submission deadline, Lifeline Resident Research Prize
April 7-8--Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease Conference, Washington, DC
April 8-9--APDVS Meeting, Washington DC
June 16-19--2005 Vascular Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL
June 1-4, 2006--2006 Vascular Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA