*Photo taken pre-COVID.Four donors have recently given to the UAB Vascular Surgery Education Support Fund, furthering the educational and experiential opportunities for surgeon-trainees.
The support fund is a crucial component of providing the highest-quality education and experiences to vascular surgery trainees. Donations to the fund directly support conference travel, surgical equipment, radiation safety shielding and textbooks awarded to deserving trainees. This fund allows the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy to support and protect the education of current and future vascular trainees.
Vascular surgery leadership has already seen a great impact from the fund.
“Incredible donors actively participate in building our ability to recruit and retain leading vascular surgery residents and fellows to our program,” said Adam Beck, M.D., director of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. “Donors also give our trainees the equipment and tools they need to succeed.”
Director of the Vascular Surgery Integrated Residency and Fellowship Programs and 2009 Fellow Alumni Benjamin Pearce, M.D., led 2020 fundraising efforts.
“The Division support for my academic development through meeting travel and presentation fostered my career aspirations in academic surgery,” said Pearce. “I, honestly, can say that the support given by my professors at UAB Vascular are why I am in my current position today.”
This year, four physicians across the nation supported the fund:
- Michael Gaffud, M.D.
- Vascular Surgery, DuPage Medical Group, Illinois
- Completed a fellowship with the Division of Vascular Surgery in 2010.
- Roan J. Glocker, M.D., M.P.H.
- Associate Professor - Department of Surgery, Vascular (SMD)
- University of Rochester Medical Center
- Completed a fellowship with the Division of Vascular Surgery in 2014.
- Gregory Nissen, M.D.
- Vascular Surgeon, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls, SD
- Completed a fellowship with the Division of Vascular Surgery in 2018.
- Benjamin Pearce, M.D.
- Associate Professor and Program Director UAB Division of Vascular and Endovascular Therapy
- Completed a fellowship with the Division of Vascular Surgery in 2009.
Gaffud reminds us the importance of supporting educational funds for future surgeons.
“Now more than ever, vascular surgery needs to be supported,” said Gaffud. “I am forever grateful for the top-notch training, world-renowned colleagues and life-long friends that I experienced during my UAB Vascular Surgery Fellowship.”
The Division of Vascular and Endovascular Therapy would like to extend their deepest thanks to those mentioned above who supported opportunities for trainees to strengthen their research, broaden their skillsets, network with top surgeons and learn about exciting advances in the field by participating in professional conferences. In addition, the educational and safety materials that were previously industry sponsored can now be offered through the fund and maintain high ethical standards within the program.
If you are considering donating to the Vascular Surgery Education Support Fund, we invite you to visit the donation page. By providing a philanthropic gift to support this initiative, you enable us to invest in the future of vascular surgery at the UAB School of Medicine.