{"id":251,"date":"2025-10-19T22:35:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T22:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmcdeploytwo.co.nz\/vsoanz\/?page_id=251"},"modified":"2025-12-05T03:11:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T03:11:46","slug":"events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cmcdeploytwo.co.nz\/vsoanz\/index.php\/events\/","title":{"rendered":"Events"},"content":{"rendered":"
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2026 VSAoNZ Conference<\/strong>
\n27 Feb – 1 March 2026, Dunedin<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” remove_bottom_col_margin=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1764904184730{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/4″]
Download Programme<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>
Registration Form<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div> [vc_column_text css=””]2026 VSAoNZ Convenor<\/strong>
\nDr Sarah Lesche | Dunedin Hospital
\nsarah.lesche@southerndhb.govt.nz<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Event Manager<\/strong>
\nSarah Jonson | Obex Medical
\nsarah.jonson@obex.co.nz<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″]

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Book you accomodation now<\/b><\/h1>\n

We highly recommend booking ahead due to peak period, see details below where rooms are currently being held but will be released on 26 January.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_spacing=”40″ equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1764904256991{margin-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text css=””]\n

Distinction Dunedin<\/h2>\n

reservations@distinctiondunedin.co.nz<\/a>
\nCode: Vascular
\nExecutive Suites: $329.00
\nKing Rooms: $279.00[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″]

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Scenic Hotel Southern Cross<\/h2>\n

sthxdm@scenichotels.co.nz<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″]

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Scenic Hotel Dunedin City<\/h2>\n

dchdm@scenichotels.co.nz<\/a>
\nCentral Reservations – 0800 69 69 63
\nPlease use reference – VSAoNZ Conference
\nBed and breakfast single occupancy $259.00[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” column_spacing=”60″ gap=”35″ equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1764904270713{margin-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1763408750129{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=””]\n

2026 Speaker<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]\n

\"\"Gabriela A. Velazquez, MD, FACS, DFSVS, RPVI<\/span><\/h2>\n

Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Program Director, Vascular Surgery Training Programs Wake Forest University School of Medicine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Gabriela Velazquez is an internationally recognized vascular surgeon, educator, and academic leader. She serves as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Wake Forest University School of <\/span>Medicine, where she also directs the Vascular Surgery Fellowship and Integrated Residency Programs. Her career is <\/span>distinguished by a deep commitment to surgical education, clinical excellence, and advancing the field through <\/span>collaborative leadership and innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Velazquez completed her general surgery training at Emory University and a fellowship in vascular and endovascular surgery at the University of Florida. Her clinical expertise includes the comprehensive management of complex aortic <\/span>aneurysms, aorto-iliac pathology, endoleaks, renal and mesenteric occlusive disease, carotid disease, and peripheral <\/span>arterial disease (PAD). She has played a pivotal role in expanding Wake Forest\u2019s aortic program, particularly in the <\/span>treatment of type II endoleaks.<\/span><\/p>\n

A passionate advocate for surgical education, Dr. Velazquez has led initiatives to enhance recruitment into vascular surgery and expand training pathways. She serves as Councilor-at-Large for the Association of Program Directors in Vascular <\/span>Surgery (APDVS) and contributes nationally to curriculum development through her work on the ACGME Milestones 2.0 <\/span>and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) for Vascular Surgery. She is also a contributing member of national guideline <\/span>writing groups, helping shape evidence-based standards in vascular care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Velazquez is a frequent invited speaker at regional, national, and international scientific meetings, and serves as a reviewer for leading vascular surgery journals. She holds leadership roles in several professional societies, including the <\/span>Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), the Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Society (VESS), the Southern Association for <\/span>Vascular Surgery (SAVS), and APDVS. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the <\/span>prestigious James IV Association of Surgeons Traveling Fellowship, the AMA Inspirational Physician Award, and designation <\/span>as a Master Surgeon Educator by the American College of Surgeons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Velazquez\u2019s career is defined by her unwavering dedication to surgical education, her commitment to developing the next generation of vascular surgeons, and her passion for delivering exceptional, patient-centered care. Through her <\/span>leadership, mentorship, and clinical innovation, she continues to elevate the standards of vascular surgery while serving <\/span>her community with compassion, excellence, and integrity.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ wpex_bg_color=”#e7e7e7″ css=”.vc_custom_1763408756297{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=””]\n

Call For Abstracts 2026<\/h1>\n

Invitations are open for submissions of abstracts for the 2026 Vascular Society of Aotearoa New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting<\/strong>. Original research, literature review and complex, interesting case studies are preferred. The closing date is Friday 5th December 2025 at midnight.<\/p>\n

Please follow the template below for abstract submission:<\/p>\n