BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE PAST By Margaret Mann, MD, FAAD, FAVLS and Steve Elias, MD, FACS, FAVLS, DABVLM • Co-Chairs of the Education Committee
Education remains one of the top career-enhancing assets the AVLS offers. The AVLS has positioned itself as the premier association for health professionals dedicated to diagnosing and treating venous and lymphatic disease. Our educational goal continues to enhance the resources we offer our members. The AVLS has brought forth new learning experiences and enhanced our previous offerings. Our past efforts have focused on the quality of courses and webinars offered. This year, we expanded our vision to ensure access and availability to a broader selection of educational opportunities for our members and non-members alike.
THE LAUNCH OF AVLS’S VIRTUAL REALITY EDUCATIONAL COURSE One of the highlights of the educational program was the introduction of AVLS’s virtual reality course – Immersive Sclerotherapy, VR 360, launched in May 2020. Virtual reality education was an opportunity for professionals to obtain CME credits in the safety of their homes or offices. According to overwhelming positive post-course surveys, the rollout of this course in this format was a success. The original course achieved forty-two registrations. In 2022, we expanded the program with the Intro to Venous Insufficiency and updated the Immersive Sclerotherapy course. Thermal Ablation and Ultrasound courses are currently in development and will launch in November 2022.
ADAPTING REGIONAL COURSES TO CHANGING TIMES Before 2020, the AVLS hosted a robust regional calendar of one-day courses across the country. While the format and delivery of the courses changed due to the pandemic, new technology and educational methods adapted during this time will continue to enhance our programs for years to come. In the evolving world of education, AVLS must continue to meet new education delivery standards. Hybrid courses will remain a part of the AVLS educational curriculum. 27
