The AVF Program Committee is excited to announce that the general plenary session will be devoted to a new 90-minute session on VTE/PERT. The co-Chairs, Dr. Gloria Salazar and Dr. Rabih Chaer, have created an outstanding program with leaders who will discuss important and clinically relevant aspects of VTE/PERT focusing on identifying patients, immediate management, indications for interventions, treatment strategies, and outcomes measures. The session is a novel area of interest for the 2026 AVF Annual Meeting and will provide invited specialist and abstract presenters.

Whether you are a seasoned PE interventionalist or looking to start a new PE program at your institution, we hope you will learn from an expert panel about the nuts and bolts as well as the cutting edge and future of PE therapies. The session will be held on March 3 from 8:30-10am.

This session has always been organized by the Vice-President of the AVF. So that is my assignment. Traditionally the format has been somewhat prescriptive and predictable. This year we are taking a new tack.

This year the session will feature the Top 3 rated Abstracts by our Program Committee. Commentary and discussion will occur after presentation. Interspersed between the abstracts will be case presentations. Not the usual cases but ones that our identified experts feel are controversial or complicated.

A panel of national and international members will comment, discuss and manage these cases. Audience participation will be encouraged so that we all can come to a conclusion as to how we can help the patient. Lionel Villavicencio, MD was a practical, down-to-earth man. His goal was always to help the patient using science and data. We hope to continue this with our new and revised session.

Meet Dr. Joana Storino, the winner of the First Prize for Abstracts at the 2025 European Venous Forum meeting in Poland.

Dr Storino is a young Brazilian vascular and endovascular surgeon, specializing in vascular ultrasonography. She has a Master’s in Health Sciences from the Medical Sciences Faculty of Minas Gerais and is an Author of Atlas of Pelvic Venous Disorders: Essential Images. Preceptor of the Vascular Surgery residency program at Mater Dei Hospital, Dr. Storino is also member of Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery and of the American Venous Forum. She also coordinates the Pelvic Team®️ , a Brazilian group dedicated to the study and treatment of pelvic venous diseases.

Her awarded abstract “Reflux patterns of lower limb varicose veins originating from the pelvis,” will be presented at the AVF’s Annual Meeting in Denver.

Come join us and meet her. Let’s take the opportunity to discuss a bit more on pelvic disease and contribute to the constant development of our specialty.

Congratulations Dr Joana! Keep up with the good work!

Founded in 1987, the American Venous Forum’s (AVF) mission is to advance venous and lymphatic health through education, research and advocacy. Beyond its scientific contributions and commitment to clinical excellence, one of the AVF’s greatest strengths lies in its commitment to mentorship.

It has often been said the members of the AVF are its greatest asset – and I couldn’t agree more. This is truly a unique organization. As a fellow, I stepped off the plane from wintery New York into sunny Palm Springs, California for my first AVF meeting. From the shift in temperature and scenery, it already felt like another world. That feeling continued once I arrived at the meeting itself. People I had only read about were surprisingly approachable and welcoming. Dr. Caprini even had me palpate his legs to demonstrate proper compression!

As I attended more AVF meetings, I realized my first experience was not an exception – it was the norm. Over the years, I’ve been invited to serve on committees, join research projects, and participate in courses. Many of the individuals I once admired from afar have since become mentors and friends, guiding my personal and professional growth (even if I may have seemed like a starstruck fan – my apologies to Dr. Ozsvath!). I know I can call, text, or email anyone I met at a meeting, and they will be available for advice.

The AVF understands that excellence in patient care depends not only on innovation and research, but also on cultivating future leaders through meaningful mentorship. Membership provides access to numerous opportunities for collaboration, education, and professional development. The Venous Early Career Course offers early career professionals the chance to learn directly from experts in the field. This is an exchange that extends far beyond clinical skills to include research guidance, leadership development and career navigation. The Annual Meeting creates a dynamic forum for sharing scientific advancements, fostering collaboration, and building professional networks. Moreover, the AVF recognizes that diverse perspectives strengthen our community. Members can engage in committees, participate in research, and collaborate with colleagues across community private practice, academic centers, and international institutions. 

A thriving professional community depends not only on innovation and education, but also on connection and shared purpose. The AVF’s commitment to mentorship ensures it will continue to shape the future of venous and lymphatic care.

So, join us – become a member! Attend the Annual Meeting! Discover lasting mentorship and enduring friendships. We’d love to have you.