ABVLM ON PATH TO SUB-SPECIALTY

Neil Khilnani, MD, FSIR, FAVLS President of the ABVLM

In 2008, the American Board of Phlebology recognized our first class of diplomates. Here we are today with 913 diplomates of what is now known as the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM). What an accomplishment! The ABVLM is grateful for the dedication and commitment of those physicians who have shown their commitment to providing the highest quality of venous and lymphatic care for their patients.

As we all know, sitting for a certification exam and receiving a diploma is not the end of a vibrant medical specialty. It also takes ownership of our training and education.

Currently, the ABVLM, with the generous financial support of the Foundation for Venous & Lymphatic Disease (FVLD), has established four programs across the country, averaging a total of seven fellows per year. Since the inception of the VLM fellowship program by the late Dr. John Bergan at La Jolla Vein Institute, we have seen over 20 fellows graduate. I want to thank the current programs and their directors for their investment and commitment to the study of venous & lymphatic medicine:

• Center for Vein Restoration VLM Fellowships (4) – Peter Pappas, MD

• ProMedica/Jobst Vascular Institute VLM Fellowship - John Fish III, MD

• Prisma Health System VLM Fellowship – Marcus Stanbro, DO

• Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School VLM Fellowship – Julianne Stoughton, MD

In addition to the continuing medical education provided by the AVLS, the ABVLM has developed a Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program that operates on a month-to-month basis utilizing the latest in digital educational technology from SelfStudy Inc. This MOC program replaces the traditional MOC exam every ten years.

While we have accomplished a great deal over the past 14 years since our first class of diplomates, there is still much to do to achieve our goal as a sub-specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Many of you reading this article are affiliated with institutions where a VLM Fellowship Program could be developed and thrive. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to our team at the ABVLM at www.abvlm.org.

In closing and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the ABVLM, I want to thank all the members of the AVLS, the diplomates of the ABVLM, and especially the donors to the FVLD that have made the creation of the ABVLM a reality for supporting this effort over the years. Together, we are looking forward with great expectation to the day we achieve the recognition that the specialty of venous and lymphatic deserves to elevate patient care to even higher levels.