Vein Specialist

The American Venous Forum (AVF) will host its inaugural Pelvic Venous Disorders (PeVD) Summit on June 27–28, 2026, at the Westin O’Hare in Chicago, Illinois. (Summer weather in Chicago is beautiful!) This first-of-its-kind national meeting is dedicated to advancing the diagnosis, management, and understanding of pelvic venous disease—an under-recognized and frequently misdiagnosed cause of chronic pelvic pain.

Nearly 10 million women in the United States experience chronic pelvic pain, and more than 6 million cases are attributable to pelvic venous disease. Despite repeated efforts to seek care, many patients undergo ineffective testing and treatment, resulting in more than $1 billion in avoidable healthcare costs annually. The PeVD Summit addresses this significant public health and health equity challenge by convening national leaders to unify understanding, identify knowledge gaps, and chart a course for future research and education.

The Summit’s multidisciplinary faculty reflects the collaborative approach required to improve care. Experts including Drs. Kathleen Gibson, Mark Meissner, Peter Gloviczki, Neil Khilnani, Peter Pappas, Kathleen Ozsvath, Judith Regensteiner, Julianne Stoughton, Charles Miller, and Co-Chairs Drs John White and Arjun Jayaraj will lead discussions and educational sessions. Attendees will include vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, gynecologists, cardiologists, adolescent medicine specialists, pelvic floor physical therapists, and pelvic sonographers.

Over 2 days of comprehensive programming, participants will engage in evidence-based education, interdisciplinary dialogue, and practical strategies designed to improve patient-centered outcomes.

Mark your calendar now for June 27–28, 2026, and plan to join AVF in Chicago as we advance care for patients living with pelvic venous disorders.

The Lakhanpal Vein Foundation (LVF) established the Sushruta Award to celebrate exceptional contributions to the field of venous disease. Named after the ancient Indian physician Sushruta, this prestigious annual award acknowledges physicians who have advanced patient care, research, and education. Each year, LVF donates $10,000 to the recipient’s cause, amplifying their impact.

At the January 2026 Vision Conference hosted by the Center for Vein Restoration, Dr. Steve Elias was recognized as the 2026 recipient. A renowned leader in venous disease treatment, Dr. Elias spearheaded minimally invasive techniques that improve patients’ lives. He is celebrated for his clinical expertise, mentorship, and advocacy for patient-centered care. Under his leadership, outpatient vein treatments and innovative technologies gained wider recognition.

Prior recipients represent a legacy of excellence. Dr. Seshadri Raju was honored for pioneering venous stenting, while Dr. Anthony Comerota and Dr. Antonios Gasparis were recognized for advances in post-thrombotic therapies and international venous programs. In 2025, Dr. Kathleen D. Gibson, a respected vascular surgeon, received the honor for her contributions.

The Lakhanpal Vein Foundation is dedicated to advancing venous care worldwide. In addition to the Sushruta Annual Award, the foundation supports research initiatives, educational programs, and outreach to ensure equitable access to vein treatments. By recognizing leaders like Dr. Elias, The Lakhanpal Vein Foundation promotes excellence and pushes the boundaries of venous medicine.

When Dr. Thomas Wakefield first attended an American Venous Forum meeting in 1992, he immediately recognized its potential. “I believe I attended the second or third meeting at the invitation of Dr. Greenfield. At that time, the society was really a society for presenting research papers and manuscripts, and it was a very heavy research society. And then about the mid-2000s, it became a more complete society… it really became an organization that had the full spectrum, not only research, but also advocacy.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Wakefield has been a leader in advancing venous research and patient care. “Something that I would have been involved with for many, many years is the role of inflammation in venous thrombosis… we now know that inflammation and thrombosis are deeply interrelated. And in fact, over the last 20 years, it’s become a very, very hot topic in venous thrombosis research.” He also pointed to clinical progress, including “risk assessment for prophylaxis venous thrombosis” and the rise of “less invasive techniques for venous reflux and venous insufficiency, along with the use of stenting for venous obstructions.” Wakefield’s dedication to the field was influenced by a personal experience. “Between eighth grade and freshman year in high school, I had bilateral saphenous vein stripping for large varicosities, This experience always piqued my interest in venous disease, so that when I became a vascular surgeon, I always wanted to have part of my practice associated with venous disease.”

Mentorship has also been central to his career. “Mentorship is extremely important, and I’ll talk about both mentorship and sponsorship.  I always remember that mentorship and sponsorship, and I try to do the same thing with young trainees now that I have the opportunity to be a mentor to and to be a sponsor.” He emphasized the lasting impact mentors can have: “The individual in medicine has such a big impact on trainees and students, and so you have to always keep in mind that what you say, what you do, you don’t know who’s watching, and you don’t know what effect that’s going to have on them in their career.”

Looking back on his AVF journey, Wakefield stressed both excellence and camaraderie. “AVF is a society that has absolutely the strongest science in venous disease. But also it’s really a family atmosphere–when you go back to meetings, it’s like going back to a family reunion.”

Today, in retirement, he continues to stay active in the field while embracing time with family. “There definitely is life after retirement, and it’s really been a great ride.” One of his proudest achievements is the establishment of the Wakefield Family Professorship in Vascular Surgery at the University of Michigan. “It’s because of my family that I had the time to do what I did over all these years. Any success I had wouldn’t have happened without them.”