The Florida Vascular Foundation

The Florida Vascular Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, the making of distributions to organizations under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and Regulations issued pursuant thereto as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.

Mission

The Florida Vascular Foundation will pursue the expansion of the knowledge of vascular disease of all individuals

Goals

• Educate the public regarding health issues associated with Vascular Disease.
• Purse the expansion of the knowledge of vascular disease of all individuals.

Lifesaving partners. Best Technology delivers Best Therapy

The Florida Vascular Foundation is a not-for-profit entity created to promote education and awareness of vascular diseases among medical professionals and the public in the state of Florida. Whereas heart disease and cancer have received a great deal of attention in terms of media coverage and promotion of public awareness, vascular disease has been relatively ignored. This family of diseases is by no means obscure, and millions of Americans are affected by disorders such as aneurysms of the aorta, peripheral arterial disease, and cardiovascular disease. Identification and treatment of individuals with these illnesses is critical in preventing catastrophic outcomes including death, limb-loss, and stroke.

The Foundation seeks to promote excellence in the treatment of vascular diseases through educational programs directed at physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and vascular technologists involved in the care of patients with these disorders. In addition, the Foundation will promote awareness of vascular diseases among primary care providers through live presentations and publication of continuing medical education materials. Thirdly, the Foundation will provide scholarship support to medical students and residents who desire to pursue careers as vascular specialists. This is essential to ensure that future patients will have access to care by highly qualified professionals. Public awareness will be elevated through Web-based educational pieces and hands-on screenings for vascular diseases. These screenings involve risk-factor identification, non-invasive vascular testing, and actual physician contact, and they are provided at no charge.

While ambitious, the goals of the Florida Vascular Foundation are attainable, and they are critical to the health and well-being of our fellow Floridians. Please join us in our efforts by contributing to this most worthy cause.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Robert P. Winter, MD, RVT, RPVI, FACS

Apply for Florida Vascular Foundation Scholarship

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Florida Vascular Foundation Conference Scholarship. The scholarship is available to General/Vascular Residents who demonstrate a commitment to the study, research and promotion of public awareness of vascular diseases. Scholarships will be presented to successful candidates from Florida Accredited General/Vascular Surgical Training Programs, at the Florida Vascular Society’s Annual Scientific Sessions.

The Florida Vascular Foundation also provides Next Gen scholarships to medical students from the nine graduate programs across the state of Florida. All applicants must complete and submit (1) the scholarship application and (2) a 500 word essay describing why the scholarship is important to their career goals. The scholarship is intended to support travel expenses and lodging to allow students to attend the Florida Vascular Society Scientific Sessions. The window for applications for the 2025 Scientific Sessions will open soon.

Residents/Fellows Application

Medical Students Application

Board of Directors

Facts About Vascular Disease

There are expected to be considerably more cases. Vascular Disease primarily effects seniors, and as the U.S. Population rates for seniors increase with aging baby boomers, the potential for vascular disease increases. In 2005, the U.S. Census reported there were more than 7 million people aged 55 and older. It anticipates that the number will rise to more than 87 million in 2015. with this increase in potential vascular disease cases knowledge of all treatments will become even more critical to your senior readership and their families.

Peripheral arterial disease affects more than 8 million people in the U.S., especially those over 50, African Americans, and Hispanics. In advanced cases, when the diagnosis is made late, amputation may be necessary, particularly among diabetics.

Nearly 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) annually, and approximately 10,000 die each year from a ruptured AAA.

Vascular disease can block the carotid arteries to the brain and cause paralyzing strokes. Stroke remains the third leading cause of death in the U.S. with nearly 157,000 people dying annually. A large proportion of strokes are caused by plaque in the carotid arteries. In 2006 it was estimated that Americans would pay about $57.9 billion for stroke related medical costs and disability.