Awards

Highlights and accomplishments

In 1997, SVMB hosted the Royal Society of Angiology for the first transatlantic vascular medicine meeting in Boston, Mass. Individuals from the UK and the United States participated in this meeting and initiated discussions on how the two societies could work together to expand vascular medicine.

In 1999, SVMB, the Royal Society of Angiology and the Swedish Society for Vascular Medicine met in Edinburg, Scotland. These three societies held the 3rd Transatlantic Vascular Medicine Symposium: The Pharmacotherapy of Peripheral Arterial Disease: An Expanding Frontier for Vascular Therapies.

In 1999 and 2000, five societies participated in the Vascular Centers of Excellence Conference in Chicago. The SVMB, American College of Cardiology, the Society for Vascular Surgery, the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, and the Society for Vascular and Interventional Radiology put together a program to assist in the development of vascular centers and to search for solutions for the problems that often prevent vascular centers from being successful.

SVM has been involved in the education of vascular specialists and many primary care specialties.

Under the leadership of Dr. Alan Hirsch, SVM, with an unrestricted grant from Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, began an initiative — The PAD Primary Care Series — to educate primary care physicians. This series served as the most ambitious effort to date to create both public and physician awareness of the importance of peripheral arterial disease.

Under the leadership of Dr. Mark Creager, the SVM journal, Vascular Medicine, was indexed and has worldwide distribution. Dr. Heather Gornik assumed the leadership of the journal in 2014.

In 2005, SVM introduced the SVM Board Review Course, held in conjunction with the SVM Annual Scientific Sessions. The Board Review Course prepares physicians who are preparing for the Certification Exams offered by the American Board of Vascular Medicine. From 2011 to 2015, the SVM Board Review Course has been presented in conjunction with VIVA (Vascular InterVentional Advances) in Las Vegas. In 2016, SVM began to offer the Board Review Course independently.

In 2006, the Society joined the PAD Coalition, the first national PAD Awareness campaign in partnership with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The PAD Coalition, an alliance of leading health organizations united together to raise public awareness about lower extremity PAD, developed an array of patient education resources available free for health care professionals and the general public.

In 2007, the Master of the Society for Vascular Medicine designation was established. The MSVM designation is conferred upon individuals who have provided extraordinary service to the Society. View the Master of the Society for Vascular Medicine page. >>

In 2008 the Jay D. Coffman Young Investigator Award was established in memory of Dr. Coffman. The award recognizes young investigator research during the Vascular Scientific Sessions. View the Jay D. Coffman Young Investigator Award page. >>

In 2010 the Jess R. Young Outstanding Vascular Medicine Educator Award was established. The award is conferred upon individuals who have made an exemplary contribution to the field of vascular medicine through the education of its practitioners. View the Jess R. Young Outstanding Vascular Medicine Educator Award page. >>

In 2017 the Allan T. Hirch Travel Award was established. SVM offers travel awards to promote the interest of younger vascular clinicians, practitioners, and vascular researchers to attend the Vascular Scientific Sessions. This is designed to facilitate participation for those without adequate financial resources to attend. View the ALAN T. HIRSCH, MD, TRAVEL AWARD page. >>

Elected in 2017, Dr. Heather Gornik became the first woman President of the Society.

In 2018 the Mark A. Creager Prize for Research Excellence was established. This annual award is given in honor of Dr. Mark A. Creager for his 19 years of excellence as Editor-in-Chief of Vascular Medicine and more than 28 years of service to the Society, including service as SVM President from 1993-1995. The Creager Prize recognizes the authors of the most meritorious original research paper published in Vascular Medicine and will be given annually. View the SVM Mark A. Creager Prize for Research Excellence page. >>

In 2018 SVM commissioned the first Vascular Medicine Comprehensive Practice and Salary benchmarking survey and report. View the Comprehensive Practice & Salary Survey page. >>

In 2020 under the leadership of Dr. Raghu Kolluri, SVM establied the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce. The taskforce advises on DEI matters as they apply to all Society functions, including membership, leadership, education, research, quality, clinical care and advocacy. The DEI taskforce ensures that every member of the vascular medicine community has full opportunity to thrive in our environment.