The American Venous Forum (AVF) continues to lead the way in education and innovation for venous and lymphatic disease specialists. As part of its commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders in venous care, AVF proudly presents the 2025 Venous Early Career Course (VECC)—a unique learning opportunity designed specifically for residents, fellows, and early-career physicians. The event will be held in downtown Chicago on September 26-27, 2025.

Why Attend the Venous Early Career Course?

The course offers an immersive educational experience that bridges the gap between training and advanced practice. Participants gain exposure to the latest evidence-based strategies, techniques, and technologies for the diagnosis and management of venous and lymphatic disorders.

Key Benefits Include:

• Expert Faculty & Mentorship: Learn from globally recognized venous experts who share practical insights and clinical pearls that can immediately enhance your practice.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: From foundational principles to cutting-edge interventions, the program covers all aspects of venous disease management.
• Hands-on Learning: Interactive sessions and case-based discussions provide real-world problem-solving skills you can apply in your clinical setting.
• Networking Opportunities: Build connections with peers and mentors who are shaping the future of venous medicine.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for surgical and medical trainees, residents, fellows, and early-career physicians who want to strengthen their expertise in venous disease and accelerate their professional growth. It is also relevant for advance practice providers and nurses.

Invest in Your Future

By attending the Venous Early Career Course, you are taking an important step toward becoming a leader in venous and lymphatic medicine. Whether your goal is to enhance your clinical skills, expand your professional network, or stay at the forefront of innovation, this program is designed to help you succeed.

Learn more and register today:

American Venous Forum – Venous Early Career Course

The 2025 Venous & Lymphatic Summit (VLS) held virtually on July 18-19, 2025, brought together top minds in venous and lymphatic disease management for two days of practical, case-driven learning focused on today’s biggest challenges and tomorrow’s biggest opportunities.

Clinical Insights and Treatment Updates

Day one launched with a robust look at chronic venous disease, including updates to Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological (CEAP) classification and advanced diagnostic techniques. Key opinion leaders including Drs. Ruth Bush, Joseph Raffetto, and Peter Gloviczki led packed sessions exploring laser ablation, radiofrequency, foam sclerotherapy, and phlebectomy—with an emphasis on real-world protocols and outcomes.

Wound Healing and Ulcer Management

Day two shifted attention to venous ulcers and complex wounds, highlighting strategies to improve healing rates and reduce recurrence. Drs. Thomas O’Donnell, Mark Melin, and Windy Cole shared insights into biofilm disruption, offloading, and dressing selection, delivering practical tools for wound centers and outpatient settings alike.

Lymphedema and Lipedema in Focus

This year’s summit also addressed lymphedema and lipedema, spotlighting manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, and innovations in diagnostic imaging. Dsr. Emily Iker and Mansoor Ghanavati presented timely data on handheld ultrasound and staging tools that support earlier diagnosis and intervention.

Deep and Pelvic Venous Strategies

Dedicated sessions on iliofemoral disease, DVT, and pelvic venous disorders closed out the meeting, including discussion of mechanical thrombectomy, iliac vein stenting, embolization techniques, and perineal varicosity management. Interventional strategies were paired with case-based panels that emphasized patient-centered outcomes.

VLS 2025 delivered high-impact, practical education across all domains of venous and lymphatic care. From foundational science to complex interventions, the summit reinforced the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to improving vascular health.

VLS 2025 content is still available!

Visit https://vls2025.lerexpo.com.

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For more than three decades, the American Venous Forum (AVF) has stood at the forefront of advancing venous and lymphatic medicine. Among its most impactful initiatives are the AVF Research Grants—competitive awards designed to support early-stage investigations that promise to shape the future of vascular care.

These grants serve as a vital launchpad for emerging scientists, physicians, and allied health professionals seeking to explore novel approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of venous and lymphatic diseases. By funding pilot studies and proof-of-concept research, AVF aims to generate the preliminary data necessary for securing larger-scale support from institutions like the NIH or industry sponsors.

The significance of the AVF’s research grants extends beyond individual careers. They foster scientific discovery in a field where under-recognition often hampers funding opportunities. From improving outcomes in chronic venous insufficiency to exploring new strategies for deep vein thrombosis prevention, AVF-funded projects have sparked meaningful contributions to both clinical and translational science.

Each year, AVF invites applicants to submit proposals that align with its mission: to promote excellence in patient care through education, advocacy, and research. Projects are evaluated by a panel of experts, and recipients are honored at the AVF’s Annual Meeting—an event that not only celebrates achievement but also cultivates a network of support and mentorship for investigators.

Applications are currently open for the AVF 2025 Research Grants. The submission deadline is September 1, 2025, and the following grant programs are accepting applications:

AVF Basic Science Research Grant

• One-year, $15,000 for original basic science projects in venous or lymphatic physiology/disease
• Open to residents, fellows, and faculty (within 10 years of appointment)
• Requires AVF membership for applicant or mentor

AVF‑JOBST Clinical Research Grant

• $85,000 over two years for clinical research on venous/lymphatic disease or lipedema (focus: prevention, diagnosis, management, compression therapy)
• Eligible applicants: US-based residents/fellows or physicians within 10 years of training who haven’t previously received the award
• AVF membership required

AVF‑BSCI Translational Research Grant

• $85,000 over two years for translational research involving human subjects (eg,  nonthrombotic obstruction, VTE, superficial insufficiency)
• Open to residents, fellows, and early-career physicians (within 10 years)
• International applicants are eligible

In an era where innovation drives healthcare progress, the AVF Research Grants are more than just financial support:they are a statement of belief in the power of ideas and a commitment to improving lives through science. As the demand for effective venous and lymphatic care grows, the AVF remains a key catalyst in shaping the future of vascular health.

One of the most important topics Dr. Kiguchi mentioned was mentorship, discussing the fantastic experiences she has had both as a mentor and as a mentee. She described it as being one of the most valuable parts of her career, saying that she is “doing patients a service by allowing the next generation to provide that sort of service as well.” With that, she also stated that the AVF provides great opportunities for mentorship because the organization is incredibly welcoming and is focused on providing exceptional opportunities for members, old and new.

When asked about what currently inspires her about the AVF and what is the most valuable part of her membership, Dr. Kiguchi continually cited the strong community of dedicated professionals that make up the organization. She expressed that at the forefront and center of her work is high-quality patient care, and her fellow AVF members constantly remind her of that through their work ethic and progressive mindsets.

Additionally, she mentioned that the field of venous and lymphatic healthcare is “underrepresented and under researched,” with the AVF playing a crucial role in the push for progress. When asked about her vision for the future of the field, she emphasized the importance of the AVF for its community, resources, and commitment to patients and professionals. Among mentorship opportunities, grants, and an environment that champions diligent motivation, the AVF has played a salient role in both her career and the field of venous and lymphatic healthcare.

Lastly, Dr. Kiguchi discussed the importance of balance and how the AVF has been able to support her outside of her career as well. She mentioned that she spends a lot of time with her family, including her two children, and that the AVF has always supported a balanced lifestyle for their members. We thank Dr. Kiguchi for her time and we appreciate her continued commitment to the American Venous Forum.

This article is the first in a series which will highlight the members of the AVF Board of Directors. 

That project, and the community around it, became foundational to Meissner’s work. “Venous disease was where arterial disease had been 20 or 30 years earlier. There was so much that hadn’t been studied. It was a very good move.” One of the reasons he stayed in the field, he said, was its breadth. “Venous disease is really very multidisciplinary… You’re learning from hematologists, epidemiologists, cardiologists. That really excited me.” Throughout his career, Meissner has helped shape AVF’s reputation for high-quality, evidence-based work. “We had a retreat in the 1990s where Dr Gordon Guyatt, known as the father of evidence-based medicine, came and gave us a day-long seminar on how to do this right,” he said. “The AVF has really been a leader, not only in generating guidelines, but in teaching people how to use them.”

But what stands out most isn’t the research, It’s the people. “Every meeting is meaningful,” he said. “It’s the one opportunity where you really see all of your colleagues. I remember almost every one I’ve attended.” He also credits AVF with fostering lifelong mentorships and friendships. “People like Tom O’Donnell, Kevin Burnand, Joe Raffetto; those relationships have meant a lot. And taking over as president after Peter Gloviczki, who’s been a great mentor and a dear friend, that meant a lot, too.”

Holding the professorship named after Gloviczki is especially meaningful. “It raises the profile of venous disease in the US. And to have it named after someone you respect and love, it means a lot.” Perhaps most of all, Meissner is proud of the trainees he has mentored. “Many of them have surpassed what I’ve done. I’m just very proud they got their passion for venous disease at the University of Washington.”

As for the AVF itself, he believes its strength lies in its mission. “There’s very little ego involved. Everyone wants to move the field forward, not just for themselves, but for their specialty.” Looking to the future, Meissner hopes to see venous medicine recognized as its own discipline. “Ultimately, I would hope venous disease becomes a specialty with its own dedicated training programs.” Outside of work, Meissner still finds joy in the mountains. “There is life outside of work. It can keep you going when things are hard.” When asked what advice he would give to early-career physicians, Meissner offered this: “Take advantage of every opportunity. Sometimes your mentors do see where the field is going, even when you don’t.”

This article is the first in a series highlighting the contributions of AVF’s Past Presidents.

We are excited to share our recently published article, Wound-Healing and Onboard Care During Long-Duration Human Deep Space Exploration from a Surgical Perspective, now available in the Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders (1). This may be among the first space surgery-focused publications in the journal, and we’re deeply grateful for the editorial team’s interest, professionalism, and support in advancing this timely topic.

This comprehensive scoping review was made possible by the expertise and contributions of Drs. Monika Gloviczki, Mark Melin, Rowena Christiansen, and Gustavo Oderich. Special thanks to medical students Krishi Korrapati and Cooper Lytle, whose rigorous review of more than 4,000 search results formed the foundation of this work.

As we move toward sustained lunar habitation and future missions to Mars, the risks associated with surgical and perioperative events in space grow dramatically. Increased mission duration, distance from Earth, and limited options for emergency evacuation underscore the need for space-adapted surgical protocols. Both governmental and commercial spaceflight programs must address medical challenges posed by microgravity, radiation, limited infrastructure, and crew isolation. NASA’s Human Research Program has identified key knowledge gaps in wound care (ExMC 4.07), emergency medical management (ExMC 4.24, Med07, Med12), and integrated medical system design (Medical-501).

Our article reviews terrestrial wound-healing mechanisms and examines how unique spaceflight conditions—such as fluid shifts, immune dysregulation, microbiome alterations, nutritional deficits, and radiation exposure—affect each stage of healing. We emphasize the crucial role of wound care, vascular surgery, interventional radiology, and general surgery in developing targeted solutions for space medicine.

Integrating these fields with aerospace medicine is essential for designing practical, mission-ready clinical tools, such as evidence-based protocols and checklists for both acute and chronic care in space. While thorough preflight screening is vital, onboard wound management strategies must be prepared to address unexpected injuries or surgical needs. Personalized medicine may also play a role; for instance, genomic markers such as SNPs linked to Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) could inform risk stratification and care.

On Earth, micronutrient optimization and therapies like micronized purified flavonoid fractions (MPFF) have shown promise in enhancing wound healing and treating veno-lymphatic disorders. As for local wound care, standard dressings may perform poorly in microgravity due to adhesion issues. New technologies, including regenerative and electroceutical dressings, are being investigated for space use. Negative pressure wound therapy (VAC) offers potential due to its ability to promote contraction, reduce fluid buildup, and maintain a moist, sterile healing environment. Advances in bioprinting and regenerative medicine may also revolutionize in-mission tissue repair.

Ultimately, preparing for the medical demands of deep-space missions requires a multidisciplinary, forward-thinking approach. Bridging aerospace medicine with disciplines such as vascular surgery and wound treatment specialties offers a transformative pathway to improve care and ensure crew safety in the most challenging conditions of space explorations.

1. Babocs D, Korrapati K, Lytle C, Gloviczki ML, Oderich GS, Melin MM, Christiansen R. Wound-healing and onboard care during long-duration human deep space exploration from a surgical perspective through the lens of a scoping review. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2025 Apr 15;13(5):102249. doi: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2025.102249. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40246171; PMCID: PMC12143787.

Figure 1.
A. Factors influencing wound healing during deep spaceflight, accompanied by an B. overview of recommended medical evaluation and wound care strategies.