About CHAMPIONS
Our Mision
To drive systemic change through community-based prevention and management of vascular diseases, guided by the patient voice and evidence-based research.
Our Vision
A future where every individual, irrespective of background or economic status, has access to proactive, community-driven healthcare that prevents vascular disease and promotes long-term wellness.
The CHAMPIONS Model
Community-Based Cardiovascular Risk Screening
Screening individuals for PAD, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity, with a focus on populations that do not access specialty care.
Health Education
Educating populations and raising broad-based awareness regarding cardiovascular risk factors, the importance of self-care, and available health services.
Medical Student Training
Training medical students in public outreach and care for underrepresented communities, and providing internships for medical students who conduct research.
Coordination of Access-to-Care
Connecting individuals with insurance and healthcare services, while integrating prevention care and risk management efforts within community-based care.
Research
Investigating challenges and motivators to prevention-oriented health behavior, increasing health engagement, and enhancing the effectiveness of education.
Our History & Team
We are a consortium of physicians, researchers, advocates, patients, business leaders, and caregivers who are committed to preventing life- and limb-threatening cardiovascular disease. An initiative of the Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures, CHAMPIONS works in partnership with local community non-profits and leading medical institutions to bring prevention directly into communities. We prioritize high-quality health screening and equitable education alongside the advancement of research and the training of future vascular health providers. Together, the Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures and our partner sites bring national program leadership and local expertise together to expand access to preventive vascular care.
Leadership
Executive Committee | Advisory Board | Vascular Cures Board of Directors
CHAMPIONS is guided by its Executive Committee, Advisory Board, and the Vascular Cures Board of Directors. Partner Sites are represented on the Advisory Board, and each partner site has its own leadership structure, fueled by dedicated physician-researchers and medical students.
Executive Committee
Leigh Ann O'Banion, MD
Founder and Medical Director of CHAMPIONS Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery, UCSF-Fresno Campus
Isabel Bjork, JD, MS, MA
Chief Executive Officer of Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures
Michael Conte, MD
Professor & Chief, Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, UCSF Chief Medical Officer, Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures
Advisory Board
Clara Gomez-Sanchez, MD
Lead Physician, UCSF East Bay Chapter, Assistant Professor of Surgery Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, UCSF
Misty D Humphries, MD
Lead Physician, UC Davis
Edith Tzeng, MD
Lead Physician, UPMC
Samantha Minc, MD
Lead Physician, Duke University
Matthew Corriere, MD
Lead Physician, The Ohio State University
Program Staff
Yvonne Vasquez, PhD
Project Manager
Michelle Conte
Learning and Development Specialist
Vascular Cures staff provide program coordination, partner support, and operational leadership across CHAMPIONS sites.
For local leadership and contact information, visit the individual CHAMPIONS partner site pages.
