GREETINGS FROM YOUR STAFF AT AVLS! Welcome to Denver, CO and the 2021 Annual Congress! We are so excited to be spending time with each of you in person, as it has been two years since the last time we gathered in Phoenix, AZ. So much has transpired since the world turned upside down in early 2020 when this pandemic began, and even today, it seems that we are still taking two steps forward and one step back! But through it all, let me assure each of you that staff and I have felt it a privilege to support the membership through all the various trials we have faced. But let us not dwell on the negative and instead focus on the future in front of us and the opportunities ahead. We are now more than three years into our New Horizon strategy that aims to expand the depth and breadth of our Society beyond our creation as an educational society in the field of superficial venous disease. Over the past three years, we have embraced the Lymphedema community, recognizing that venous and lymphatic medicine are congruous. In addition, our efforts in developing an understanding of pelvic venous disease and other aspects of deep venous disease have resulted in the AVLS becoming the largest, most comprehensive Society in venous and lymphatic medicine in the United States. Furthermore, we expanded our reason for existence beyond education with significant investments in our capability to conduct research and develop clinical practice guidelines designed to help support our dedicated mission to be advocates for our membership, the field in general and most importantly, our patients with payors and policymakers. Our desire has been for you to not only see a new name and logo for the Society but also understand all that our volunteers and staff have invested into this mission to improve the lives and practices of all our members. We have accomplished much but have so much more to do! And if we are going to continue to impact our world, we all must step up, get involved and make a difference. To those of you who have actively volunteered over the past years, thank you! Your willingness to serve has allowed us to accomplish much. And for those of you considering the future, we encourage you and thank you in advance for what you will do in the future! We are now back together, and on behalf of this year’s Congress planning committee, the leadership, and staff of the AVLS, we encourage you to reconnect with your colleagues and take advantage of the opportunity that meeting face-to-face offers. We have worked hard to provide a safe environment for everyone in attendance by social distancing in our conference rooms, requiring all attendees to wear masks regardless of vaccination status, and encouraging proper hygiene. We ask that you all respect each other and enjoy this excellent opportunity to reconnect. Sincerely, Dean J Bender • CEO/Executive Director 7
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