Letter From Frank R Lewis to Frank J. Veith

From: Frank J. Veith, MD American Board of Vascular Surgery
To: Frank R. Lewis, MD American Board of Surgery

From: Frank R. Lewis, MD American Board of Surgery
To: Frank J. Veith, MD American Board of Vascular Surgery

June 17. 2004

Frank J. Veith, MD
Chair, American Board of Vascular Surgery
Montefiore Medical Center
111 East 210th St.
Bronx, NY 10467

Dear Frank (Veith):

Your request that the VSB and Board of Directors of the ABS reconsider supporting the ABVS application to the ABMS for an independent vascular surgery board was referred to the Vascular Surgery Board at its meeting on June 14 for discussion and recommendation. There is currently no proposal before the ABMS for an independent vascular surgery board so it was unclear why any position statement on this issue would be necessary at this time. Rather, the VSB members were united in advising the ABS Directors that it is far more important presently for the vascular community to irnite in support of the application which is before the ABMS for primary certification in vascular surgery. This has been sponsored by the SVS and developed jointly by the SVS, APDVS, VSB, and ABS, and we would welcome the support of the ABVS toward that effort, which has so far been withheld. Approval of the application is by no means assured, and unanimity of the vascular community in support will be an important factor in generating favorable ABMS action. Efforts to create an independent vascular surgery board at the same time will be distracting and diversionary to the ABMS.

In parallel with that effort, the VSB, SVS, and APDVS have begun efforts to define the structure and content of a new vascular surgery curriculum that will not require prerequisite general surgical training. This is an equally important issue in implementing the goals of the new certificate for the evolution of vascular surgery as a primary specialty. The VSB strongly believes that these concrete and achievable goals are where current efforts and resources should be concentrated.

A resolution to this effect was passed unanimously by the VSB and was forwarded to the full meeting of the Board of Directors on June 15, 2004, which also approved it unanimously. We would hope that the ABVS would consider joining in support of the primary certificate initiative, which has received strong support in the SVS, APDVS, and other vascular societies.

Sincerely,

Frank Lewis MD
Executive Director
American Board of Surgery