Sushruta
Award
LVF takes a great pride to present the annual
Sushruta Award, which recognizes those who
have helped improve the care of patients
with venous disorders and includes an
$10,000 donation from LVF to the charity or
cause of the recipient’s choice
OUR HONOREES
For ‘Above & Beyond’ service to patients suffering from venous disorders
2026 Recipient: Dr. Steven Elias, MD
- Dr. Elias is director of the Center for Vein Disease at Englewood Hospital.
- He is board certified in venous and lymphatic medicine and in general surgery and completed a fellowship in vascular surgery at Englewood Hospital.
- Educating new and current practitioners is the cornerstone of Dr. Elias’s commitment to modern vein care and its impact on patient outcomes.
- He is the founder of the American Venous Forum Fellows Course in Vein Disease, as well as the founder and course director of the annual Expert Venous Management Summit.
- He is the medical director of VEIN Magazine and the medical editor of the American Venous Forum’s newsletter, Vein Specialist.
- He is a Fellow of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and of the American College of Surgeons.
- He has been director of the vascular vein programs at the Mount Sinai Vein Center and at Columbia University.
2025 Recipient: Dr. Kathleen D. Gibson, MD
- She is a board-certified vascular surgeon at Lake Washington Vascular Surgeons in Bellevue, Washington.
- She graduated with highest honors from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
- Her fellowship, residency and undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering were all completed at the University of Washington.
- She serves on the Board of the VIVA Foundation and the Executive Board of the American Vein and Lymphatic Society, and is its Past President.
- She is a distinguished member of the American Venous Forum and is a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery.
- She has authored or co-authored multiple book chapters and articles and has been an investigator for more than 42 clinical trials.
- She has been a speaker at multiple conferences in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
2024 Recipient: Dr. Antonios Gasparis, MD
- He is an internationally recognized vascular surgeon and vein specialist.
- He also serves as System Chief for Venous Diseases at Northwell Health.
- He has completed his residency in General Surgery at SUNY Syracuse, followed by a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at SUNY Stony Brook.
- He was on the faculty at Stony Brook from 2003-2023 and Professor of Surgery.
- During his tenure, he held multiple administrative positions and developed an internationally recognized venous program.
- He has been on the Board of several national organizations and is the Past-President of the American Venous Forum, the premier national society on venous disease.
- He is a true educator, running multiple educational programs in venous disease.
- He is a researcher and innovative surgeon who cares deeply for his patients and their families.
2023 Recipient: Dr. Mark Meissner, MD
- He is a Vascular Surgery Specialist in Seattle, WA.
- He has over 38 years of experience in the medical field.
- He graduated from UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER in 1985.
- He is affiliated with UW Medical Center – Montlake.
2022 Recipient: Dr. Anthony J. Comerota, MD
- He is the Medical Director of the Eastern Region, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute at the Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia.
- As a Professor of Surgery (Vascular), he has treated many patients with the Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS).
- He is a nationally recognized expert in the use of aggressive therapies to treat proximal DVT.
- In addition to his role as a member of the C-TRACT Steering Committee, he serves as a member of the Interventions Committee and as the Co-Chair of the Venous Ulcer Care Committee.
2021 Recipient: Nicos Labropoulos, PhD
- Currently a professor of Surgery and Radiology at Stony Brook University Hospital, Long Island, NY.
- Director of the Vascular Laboratory and has a major interest in pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases.
- Has been awarded multiple grants for clinical and basic science studies, many prizes in medical and surgical meetings around the world.
- Has more than 200 publications, has been cited over 7000 times and has given over 1000 presentations around the world.
- He has been working on vascular imaging, aortic wall remodeling, cerebrovascular disease, the development and natural history of chronic venous disorders and venous thromboembolism including the inflammatory pathways in both.
- He is a co-founder of the International Vascular Foundation, of the Institute of Vascular Diseases and Venous Health Foundation.
2020 Recipient: Mr. Dean Bender
- Became Executive Director for the AVLS and FVLD on July 1, 2017.
- Over 30 years’ in global business management.
- Experience in the field of venous and lymphatic medicine.
- Served as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for medi USA, President of CircAid, Vice President of Global Research & Development at BSN medical, and business director for Bayer Chemicals.
- In addition, Bender has been a member of the venous community for 13 years, serving as a board member and treasurer for FVLD and member of AVLS since 2008.
2019 Recipient: Dr. Seshadri Raju
- Specializes in venous and lymphatic diseases at The Rane Center in Jackson Mississippi.
- Widely recognized for his landmark contributions to the hemodynamics, diagnosis and treatment of venous disease.
- A pioneer of venous stenting which has revolutionized care of venous disease.
- Founding member of the American Venous Forum, the premier organization for venous disease, and a Distinguished Fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery.
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous other national and international specialty societies in Transplantation, Vascular Surgery and Phlebology.
- He has over 250 wide ranging publications including peer reviewed articles, a book on Venous Surgery (Williams & Wilkins).
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