Welcome! I am incredibly honored and excited to be part of AVA’s 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting in Portland, Oregon. The design team (D-Team) has been diligently working to create a versatile meeting and has an exciting lineup planned. Session topic highlights include equity, diversity, and inclusion; hospital onset bacteremia; catheter materials; and navigating legality in vascular access.

Whether you are a conference veteran or a first-time attendee, the AVA scientific meeting is a great venue to spark inspiration and immerse yourself in the opportunity to engage with fellow vascular access specialists from around the globe. We will hear from influential leaders in general sessions, attend multifaceted breakout presentations on niche topics, explore the latest from our industry partners in the Exhibit Hall, and take a quiet moment to browse the electronic poster display.

To give you some insight into conference planning, let’s demystify the selection process. The selection committee, known as the “D-Team,” comprises a dynamic group of clinicians representative of numerous vascular access specialties and diverse settings. Careful consideration is given to survey responses, current hot topics, and emerging trends to ensure a well-rounded conference.

Submissions are collected from the AVA Call for Presentations, blinded, and assigned to three independent D-Team reviewers for critical appraisal. Each abstract is objectively scored based on clarity of purpose/goals and content description, anticipated attendee interest, and is assessed for potential risk of commercial bias. Speakers new to the AVA meeting are interviewed by a D-Team member to become acquainted with them and their experience as a presenter, as well as gain additional insight into the overall content. This creates an opportunity to answer questions and enhance the collective process for new speakers.

Conference managers and the selection committee come together for an all-day meeting to review the compiled scores and feedback. All respective submissions are evaluated in this collective forum, and votes are cast. Selected abstracts are then plugged into the schedule template to create an engaging four-day experience.

Hosted in Portland, Oregon, this vibrant city is home to unique culture, street food, and an expansive lush landscape. After a day full of intriguing vascular access content, you can sample renowned culinary diversity from food cart “pods” or indulge in some retail therapy at one-of-a-kind boutiques in the Pearl District. Stroll along the Willamette River or hop on the Portland Aerial Tram to enjoy sweeping city views. Home to one of the tallest waterfalls in the world and the largest independent bookstore, Multnomah Falls and Powell’s Books are also popular attractions in the City of Roses.

At the heart of this meeting is the work each and every clinician puts into advancing this specialty and bringing best practices to our patients for optimal outcomes. I want to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to the immense team required to make this annual event possible. The dedication from the AVA organization, conference managers, industry partners, and D-Team members is remarkable. It has been my distinct privilege to be your D-Team Chair for the AVASM23. I can’t wait to see you in Portland, learn from each other, and celebrate the achievements shared by the vascular access community.

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