Pursuing the New Horizon

NEIL KHILNANI, MD, FAVLS, FSIR CHAIRMAN, FOUNDATION FOR VENOUS & LYMPHATIC DISEASE

Since its launch at our Austin meeting exactly two years ago, a great deal has been accomplished to meet the goals of the Foundation for Venous & Lymphatic Disease’s (FVLD) New Horizon strategic and capital initiative to support the “we ARE” mission of the American Vein & Lymphatic Society (AVLS).

As the commitment phase of the project draws to a close on December 31, 2019, I would like to call your attention to what has been accomplished and focus on what we we still need.

By November 2018, the FVLD successfully received commitments from our member and industry partners exceeding the initial goal of $5 million set in Austin, TX. Given the ambitious goals set forth by the AVLS Board, the enthusiasm of our partners for these plans and in recognition of the accomplishments already achieved, both Board’s at the Nashville Congress voted to extend the pledge phase of the project until the end of 2019 to pursue a goal of $6 million.

At this time, with over 100 multi-year commitments from healthcare practitioners, corporate partners, and motivated organizations, I am pleased to report to date we have nearly $5.4 million pledged with pending decisions from commercial sources for potentially another $400,000.

As the Chairman of the FVLD, I am hoping to find an additional $300,000 in member support with one final push in Phoenix at our Annual Congress.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

On the 50 th anniversary of the Apollo 11 achievements, it is valuable to reflect on the ability of committed individuals to achieve audacious goals. The AVLS has bold ambitions and like the moonshot, it will require the considerable volunteer efforts supported by a financial commitment from our membership and our colleagues in the industry to achieve them.

THE NEW HORIZON CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IS CLOSING ON DECEMBER 31, 2019.

Although we have seen such tremendous support from our members and corporate teammates, it is imperative that we achieve our goal of $6 million to reach our objectives.

Please take a moment to consider how you will support venous and lymphatic medicine.

Certainly we would ask all physicians, ultrasound technologists, nurses, advanced practice providers and lymphedema therapists caring for venous and lymphatic patients to consider becoming an AVLS member to take advantage of numerous membership benefits and support our “we ARE” mission. We want to hear your voices on how we can best achieve our common and profession specific goals.

If volunteering to work to support vital committee work interests you, I invite you to speak with AVLS leadership, and in particular myself as Past-Presdient of the AVLS, Marlin Schul and Mark Meissner our current President and President-Elect, or any of the AVLS Board members. We welcome your opinions and contributions to our efforts.

However, it is important that we ask you to consider making or increasing your financial commitment to the Foundation to support the AVLS mission.