The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) held its inaugural Advocacy and Leadership Conference Sept. 14–16, drawing vascular surgeons, trainees and healthcare advocates from across the country to the nation’s capital for three days of policy education, leadership training and direct engagement with lawmakers.
The Washington, D.C., conference was designed to empower participants to become more effective advocates for vascular health. Through a combination of keynote addresses, policy briefings, interactive workshops and Capitol Hill meetings, attendees gained firsthand experience in shaping healthcare policy.
Lauren West-Livingston, MD, a fourth-year integrated vascular surgery resident at Duke University and a new member of the SVS Government Relations Committee, attended the summit in an effort to get a head start on advocacy as a vascular surgeon. “I want to get started as early as possible to make as big a change as possible,” she said.
Leadership sessions led by SVS Executive Director Kenneth Slaw, PhD, and Advocacy Council Chair Megan Tracci, MD, JD, focused on strategic communication and navigating the policy landscape.
Participants examined key legislative issues affecting the specialty, including reimbursement reform, prior authorization and regulatory burdens. Dutch Rojas, a healthcare entrepreneur, spoke about innovation in care delivery. Peggy Tighe, a Washington-based attorney and lobbyist, provided insights into efforts to streamline the prior authorization process. A panel of congressional health staffers offered a bipartisan perspective on the complexities of advancing health legislation.
“This conference was exceptionally well organized and provided invaluable insights into the legislative process and the current bills under consideration that directly impact vascular surgeons nationwide,” said Adam W. Beck, MD, division director of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “It greatly enhanced my understanding of advocacy, and the role physicians can play in shaping health policy.”
Surgeons and advocates met directly with members of Congress and senior staff, including Reps. Ami Bera, D-Calif.; Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill.; and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa. Mehmet Oz, MD, the 17th administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), addressed attendees on Medicare policy and the agency’s future direction.
Soapbox Consulting led practical exercises to prepare attendees for legislative meetings, while the SVS Political Action Committee (PAC) hosted a networking event that allowed participants to connect with lawmakers in a more informal setting.
Tracci emphasized the importance of surgeon involvement in health policy.
To stay informed on advocacy, visit vascular.org/Advocacy for updates on legislative developments and opportunities to support vascular health.
