Vision for the Future from New AVLS President By Dr. Mark Meissner, AVLS President 2021-2022
As October approaches, those of us in the venous community look forward to the AVLS Annual Congress and the accompanying transition in leadership of our Society. It is truly a privilege to assume the role of AVLS President from Dr. Marlin Schul. The American Vein & Lymphatic Society is very special in this regard. Election to leadership in our Society implies not only previous history of service to the Society but also anticipation that our leaders will continue to contribute to the advancement of venous disease in general and the AVLS specifically. This model differs from other specialty societies, where leadership is often an honorary position based mainly on past achievements. Not so in the AVLS, where virtually every member can aspire to become a member of the board of directors and leadership is based more on an interest in advancing the cause of venous disease than on past academic achievements. The AVLS is also unique in that both the membership and board of directors come from a spectrum of specialties and a variety of practice backgrounds, including small private practices, large group practices, and academic practices. Our differences make our Society both unique and effective - we can share knowledge and learn across disciplines, perform research across multiple specialties, and direct our advocacy efforts towards issues identified by busy practitioners committed to solving the underlying problems. The Society has made a concerted effort to maintain a balanced board that reflects the diversity of membership. A final unique aspect of the AVLS is the duration of commitment by the Society’s leadership. Rather than the one-year terms of office in many societies, most board members serve for several years before nomination to the executive committee, and the President has usually served on the executive committee for six years before beginning their 12
