Noted surgeon Frank J. Veith named first Jacobson Awardee for physician excellence by Vascular Disease Foundation

Noted vascular surgeon Frank Veith, M.D., the William J. von Liebig Chair for Vascular Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, NY) and Professor of Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx ,NY) is the recipient of the first Julius H. Jacobson II, M.D. Award for Physician Excellence, given by the Vascular Disease Foundation.

The award is named for Julius H. Jacobson, II, M.D., considered to be the preeminent pioneer in microsurgery. In early 2004, Dr. Jacobson seeded the award via a gift to the Vascular Disease Foundation. The award was presented to Dr. Veith by Dr. Peter Gloviczki, president of the Vascular Disease Foundation, today at the annual VEITHsymposium™ at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers in Manhattan. Dr. Jacobson was also in attendance at the presentation.

“Frank Veith’s uniquely important contribution has been bringing about a globalization of vascular surgical knowledge to the profession," said Dr. Jacobson.

Candidates for the non-monetary award were screened by a committee of peers independent of Dr. Jacobson, who was informed of the awardee after the fact. Criteria for nomination were:

• A candidate must be a licensed physician in good standing who has made significant contributions that have advanced the science of clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of vascular disease or who has made exceptional contributions to vascular education programs, either to health professionals or patients.

• A candidate must be a person of recognized personal and professional integrity.

• A candidate must not be a member of the Board of Directors of the Vascular Disease Foundation.

About Frank Veith:

Frank Veith, MD, is the William J. von Liebig Chairman for Vascular Surgery and Professor of Surgery and Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center and the University Hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Veith is a well-respected clinician, educator, researcher and pioneer in the field of vascular disease. He is one of the best known vascular surgeons in the world today. He is an expert in many areas of vascular disease, including critical limb ischemia, aortic and carotid artery reconstructions and endovascular interventions. He is among the most prolific authors and co-authors in the field of vascular surgery with more than 1,000 original articles and chapters written in prestigious medical journals and books. He is past president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the Eastern Vascular Society, and serves on the editorial board of several major vascular journals including the Journal of Vascular Surgery. He is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Vascular and founding secretary of the International Society for Vascular Surgery. Dr. Veith hosts the annual international VEITHsymposium™, which is currently in its 31st year, which is the most significant contribution to physician education on vascular disease during the past three decades and is recognized as the foremost educational program for vascular specialists in the world. Dr. Veith is highly respected for his personal and professional integrity, and he is considered as a role model for generations of vascular surgeons and endovascular specialists.

About Julius Jacobson:

Julius H. Jacobson II M.D. is considered to be the preeminent pioneer in microsurgery. After earning a master’s degree in cell physiology at the University of Pennsylvania, he graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and served his residency in general and thoracic surgery at New York’s Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital. He then became director of surgical research at the University of Vermont where his earlier experience with microscopes led him to become the first surgeon to bring a microscope into the operating room for the entire range of surgery beyond the eye and ear. Dr. Jacobson’s work led to such advances as coronary artery surgery and limb re-implantation. It is estimated that today, one-half of all neurosurgical operations utilize microsurgical techniques. Dr. Jacobson also developed the first microscope that allowed the surgeon and first assistant to view the operative field simultaneously. This “dipliscope” is now in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Jacobson and his wife, Joan, live in New York City.

About the Vascular Disease Foundation:

The Vascular Disease Foundation is a nonprofit, public educational organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and management of vascular diseases. Its outstanding board of directors includes physicians, nurses, vascular sonographers, rehabilitation professionals, and clinical researchers who have been on the forefront of fighting vascular diseases for many years, as well as members of the public.

For more information on the Vascular Disease Foundation, or about vascular diseases, call 1-866-723-4636 or visit www.vdf.org.