A Message from the SVS Foundation Chair

September 19, 2012|Vascular Specialist

Dear Colleague:

Thanks to your generosity, the Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) Foundation continues to fulfill its mission of funding vascular disease research. The support of SVS members was apparent when the Foundation presented more than $250,000 in grants and awards to leaders in vascular research during the June 2012 Vascular Annual Meeting® in National Harbor, Maryland. SVS Foundation awards and grants included the following long-term commitments in clinical and translational research grants:

• Clinical research seed grants that provide direct support for pilot clinical projects which have potential to grow into larger studies fundable by industry or governmental sources.

• A clinical study planning grant that supports the development of all the components necessary for a competitive, multi-center clinical trial application.

• Medical student and resident awards that stimulate development of research skills and exploration of investigative careers.

• Partner grants with the National Institutes of Health, the Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, and the Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award, that support vascular surgeon scientists in the early stages of their careers.

In addition, the Foundation presented a new award. For the first time, the Foundation presented a $100,000 Multicenter Clinical Studies Planning Grant. The recipient was Thomas Hatsukami, MD, of the University of Washington in Seattle. This award represents a new research initiative for the SVS Foundation.

As other initiatives become evident, it is hoped that SVS Foundation will have the foresight and funds to foster vascular clinical and translational research. For this reason and for the future of our field, SVS Foundation thanks current donors and encourages all members to support the future of vascular disease research.

Donations can be made through the SVS website at: www.vascularweb.org/about/SVSFoundation/Pages/default.aspx

Sincerely,

Richard Cambria, MD

Chair, SVS Foundation