News & Events

The Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures is thrilled to celebrate our Board Member, Dr. Leigh Ann O’Banion, recipient of the 2026 Vascular Career Advancement (VCA) Award, presented through a collaboration between the VIVA Foundation and the Leipzig Interventional Course (LINC). This prestigious recognition celebrates her contributions to vascular care and her commitment to advancing the field. Dr. O’Banion’s work reflects the kind of leadership that moves vascular health forw

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Brianna Krafcik, MD, has been named the 2026 Wylie Scholar Award recipient. Dr. Krafcik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Vascular Surgery at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Her innovative research will focus on improving shared decision making for patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Dr. Krafcik’s project, “Enhancing Shared Decision Making for Patients with Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis,” ad

After both her mother and her aunt were diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD), Mariam was left wondering why her family had known so little about a disease with such serious consequences. Mary loved to walk. She and her husband, Bill, traveled throughout California and the West, spent time outdoors, and volunteered together as campground hosts. She raised four children, remained deeply connected to her family, and lived to be 98. So when peripheral artery disease eve

He was in his mid-20s, active and playing basketball, with no history of surgery and little reason to imagine that vascular disease would become part of his life. Then he felt what seemed like a cramp in his calf. He dismissed it at first. But the discomfort grew. His leg became increasingly fatigued. He went from doctor to doctor searching for an explanation, but the answers never quite fit. Medication was suggested. A musculoskeletal problem was considered. Still, he knew s

Latonya Wulff knows what it means to fight for a limb. Her journey with peripheral artery disease began after a foot problem revealed something far more serious. A piece of glass had become embedded in her foot without her realizing it because she had lost feeling there. When vascular specialists became involved, they discovered peripheral artery disease. What followed was a long road: multiple procedures, multiple amputations and repeated efforts to restore blood flow. Event

For one patient living with diabetes, the biggest obstacle wasn’t simply taking medication. It was understanding why she was taking it. She wanted to know what her medications did, how they affected her body, what side effects to expect, and how treatment fit together with diet, exercise and the choices she made every day. This education helped her manage her diabetes, and to prevent the onset of PAD. That changed when she enrolled in a diabetes education program. Suddenly, m

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Patrick Chong and Dr. Gaurav Sharma, as the newest members of the Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures Advisory Board. Their expertise in vascular surgery, clinical research, patient-centered care, and education will bring valuable perspectives to our work advancing vascular health. Patrick Chong, MBSS, FRCS Patrick Chong is a Clinical Lead and Head of the Regional Vascular Unit at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom. He is

On September 12, we gathered at Mesa Rim San Diego for a special climbing event in support of CHAMPIONS, our community-based vascular disease prevention initiative. Hosted by our Board Member Bob Kain at Mesa Rim, the event brought together 56 climbers who completed an incredible 544 climbing routes in support of vascular disease prevention, research, and education. Beyond raising awareness, the event highlighted the importance of vascular disease prevention. Through CHAMPION

We’re excited to share that CHAMPIONS was featured on the front page of Vascular Specialist, the official newspaper of the Society for Vascular Surgery. The feature highlights the growing CHAMPIONS effort to shift PAD care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, bringing vascular screening, education, and connections to care directly into communities. Since its launch, CHAMPIONS has brought together clinicians, trainees, students, and community partners to make vascu

A new study from the UCSF CHAMPIONS team highlights differences in peripheral artery disease (PAD) detection among women and men. Published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, the study analyzed data from 736 participants in CHAMPIONS community-based screenings in California. Among those identified as at risk for PAD, PAD was detected in 10.9% of females compared with 2.8% of males. The findings highlight the importance of increasing PAD awareness and access to screening, par

The Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures is proud to announce its partnership with Walk with a Doc (WWAD), an international nonprofit organization dedicated to improving community health through movement and conversation. Together, the organizations are bringing free physician-led community walks to more communities, helping people improve vascular health through education, movement, and meaningful conversations. The partnership combines the Foundation’s mission to advance

Western Vascular Meeting, September 2025 - Kathryn DiLosa MD, MPH, Maria Tiu BS, MS, Guistinna Tun BS, Manreet Dosanjh BS, Clara Gomez-Sanchez MD, Molly McCabe BS, Isabel Bjork JD, MSc, Misty Humphries MD, MAS, Leigh Ann O’Banion MD

CHAMPIONS joined Durham County Department of Public Health Fair on November 1st, 2025.

CHAMPIONS joined La Comunidad's Community day of Healing in the Mission on October 18, 2025.

CHAMPIONS joined Taste of Soul on October 18, 2025.

CHAMPIONS joined Zombie Ride Merced on October 18, 2025.

October 18, 2025

UCSF East Bay CHAMPIONS attended the Jain Center of Northern California’s Health Fair on July 13, 2025 Health Fair in San Leandro on April 26, 2025.

CHAMPIONS joined the Nagar Kirtan Parade on April 13th, 2025.

CHAMPIONS joined the Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise Health Fair in Selma, CA, on March 22nd, 2025.