SVS Leadership and Advocacy Summit

Audible Bleeding editors Falen Demsas, an integrated vascular surgery resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Sasank Kalipatnapu (@ksasank), a fifth-year general surgery resident at UMass Chan Medical School, are joined by Megan Tracci ( @MeganTracci) , James Black ( @JamesHBlackMD), and Lauren West-Livingston (LWestLivingston) for a discussion following the inaugural SVS Leadership and Advocacy Summit. In this episode, the group reflects on the importance of surgeon advocacy, highlights key takeaways from the Summit, and discusses how vascular surgeons throughout training and practice can engage in policy, leadership, and organized medicine at local and national levels. The conversation explores the evolving role of advocacy within the Society for Vascular Surgery, including the work of the SVS Advocacy Council and its collaboration across Government Relations, Coding, VA advocacy, and quality and policy initiatives. Dr. Tracci shares insights from her leadership roles within SVS advocacy efforts and her work as ACS Medical Director for Surgeon Engagement. Dr. Black discusses his longstanding advocacy work on behalf of patients and physicians, including numerous trips to Capitol Hill over the course of his career. Dr. West-Livingston reflects on her experience attending the recent Advocacy & Leadership Conference as a trainee and the importance of resident involvement in advocacy work. Show Guests Megan Tracci Leader within the SVS Advocacy Council, which includes Government Relations, Coding, VA advocacy, and quality and policy collaboration efforts. She also serves as the ACS Medical Director for Surgeon Engagement. James Black Chief of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at Johns Hopkins University and longtime advocate who has made countless trips to Capitol Hill to advocate for patients and physicians. Lauren West-Livingston Integrated vascular surgery resident at Duke University and member of the SVS Government Relations Committee who attended the recent Advocacy & Leadership Conference. Notable Mentions The inaugural SVS Leadership and Advocacy Summit Advocacy efforts within the Society for Vascular Surgery, including Government Relations, Coding, VA advocacy, and quality and policy collaboration. Learn more here SVS Advocacy Council Opportunities for vascular surgeons to engage in advocacy throughout all stages of training and practice. Sign up for updates

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SVS Leadership and Advocacy Summit is an episode from Audible Bleeding by Adam Johnson.

This episode is 47:02 long.

This episode was published on May 26, 2026.

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